This season at Vakkaru Maldives, guests are invited to embark on a profound journey of wellbeing and connection, harmonizing with the island’s natural rhythms and tranquil environment. Launching in August, the resort presents an immersive series of programs and carefully curated stays designed to help visitors realign with themselves, each other, and the soothing tempo of the sea. The experience is guided by three transformative personalities and expressed through signature packages crafted for those seeking meaningful reconnection.
Central to this initiative is the residency of Executive Coach and Psychologist Dr. Jonathan Marshall, who will be at Vakkaru from August 6 to 16. Bringing a deep and authentic approach to personal growth, Dr. Marshall’s methodology is influenced by notable figures such as psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, emotional-behavioral expert Daniel Goleman, leadership scholar Ron Heifetz, and systems thinker Otto Scharmer. His coaching goes beyond superficial advice, combining psychological insight, narrative reframing, and presence-led coaching to facilitate meaningful personal transformation. His extensive experience spans elite athletes, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, and Ivy League academia, lending both depth and breadth to his work. Within the calm of Vakkaru, his insights become not just intellectual but deeply personal.
Dr. Marshall’s residency includes three complimentary immersive group sessions for guests. “Knowing Your Mind” offers a private, practical exploration of emotional wellbeing, helping participants identify signs of stress, support others sustainably, and foster psychological safety in daily life. “Purpose, Passion, and Direction” guides guests through values-driven reflection and energizing steps toward life alignment. “Hypnosis: Myth, Magic, or Medicine?” demystifies hypnosis and its applications in performance, anxiety, and habit change, with an optional experience for those interested in trying it firsthand. Guests can also schedule private or couples coaching tailored to individual or shared growth goals, with some sessions incorporating guided hypnosis depending on preference. Rates start at US$575++ per hour or US$850++ for 90 minutes, inclusive of a personalized consultation.
Complementing Jonathan’s work, Vakkaru welcomes back Daria Gudkova, a Himalayan-trained visiting therapist, from July 24 to August 24. Her sessions blend breath, body, and energy work, offering a physical counterpart to emotional reflection that feels both elemental and transformative. Additionally, Dr. Thilini Madushani Kularathna, a Sri Lankan Ayurvedic doctor new to the resort’s wellness collective, bridges classical Ayurvedic practice with modern perspectives. Through personalized consultations and treatments, she guides guests to reconnect with their body’s innate intelligence and recalibrate rhythms disrupted by busy lifestyles.
Vakkaru Maldives offers two distinct packages for guests to choose their path to wellbeing. “Wellness Your Way” is a minimum three-night experience allowing guests to customize their journey toward restoration. It includes a Signature Spa Treatment at Merana Spa, a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation and tailored treatment with Dr. Thilini, a private yoga session, and a healthy floating breakfast served by the private pool. This package is designed to nourish guests holistically without constraints.
For those who find clarity in the ocean’s embrace, “Ocean Journeys” spans five nights with an itinerary flowing like the tides. Guests begin with a guided snorkel or dive at the renowned Blue Hole alongside the resort’s resident marine biologist, followed by an off-island excursion where they join the local crew for line fishing and savor their fresh catch grilled under the stars. The journey culminates with a full day on a secluded sandbank, filled with snorkeling, picnicking, and reveling in the untouched beauty of Baa Atoll.
For visitors arriving during these sunlit months, Vakkaru Maldives extends a clear invitation: take the time and space needed to reconnect—with yourself, your loved ones, and the natural world around you.