Meet Your Host: Zenera, the best coliving in the Maldives

“Coliving in the Maldives” sounds like an impossible concept. But nowadays even one of the most touristic destination can be visited avoiding overpriced and non-sustainable resorts. Here we’ll show you how to cowork and colive in the Maldives in 2025. Read until the end to discover our exclusive deal for you.

Digital nomadism has been around for a while now. We’ve met nomads with more than 10, or even 15 years of experience of making the most of a life on the road. Today, with laptops that last a full day on battery, or Starlink connectivity to work from tropical paradises, doing your best work while exploring this planet of wonders has never been easier.

That’s why we’re seeing a new trend in recent years. The usual destinations like Bali, Mexico or Madeira have been explored inside-out and often times they suffer over tourism and “nomadic gentrification”: a placid surf town that was barely two huts in a line, is now filled with fancy cafes with 12 types of matcha lattes, real Italian pizza restaurants and a ramen shop that tastes better than the ones in Tokyo.

Nomads are explorers by nature and we’re discovering new, more authentic destinations, off the beaten path. And this time we will do our best to avoid to irremediably change or damage the places we visit. You’ll be surprised by how many nomads travel with sustainability in mind as a first thought.

Zenera is a new retreat company that will bring you to one of the latest unexpectedly untouched islands, despite being a touristic destination for decades: the stunning Maldives and their fragile nature. Let’s hear from Sylvia and Darina how they’re bringing an experience of sustainable coliving to the Maldives!

Who is Zenera?

Hi there! We are Sylvia and Darina, the founders of Zenera, and we curate Digital Nomad retreats and workations for people like you in the Maldives! 

Our story begins with two ambitious friends who are committed to advocating a digital life that is slower, gentler, intentional, and yet, equally productive. We met on the local island of Thulusdhoo in the Maldives a couple of years ago and began supporting each other in our aspirations and growth! 

The call to launch Zenera happened because we both felt a need to showcase the world through a different lens of the Maldives, beyond just a shoestring option and also one where we could redefine Maldives as an emerging destination for digital nomads. 

Our mission is to elevate Maldives as one of the chosen destinations for digital nomads in South Asia.

How is coworking from the Maldives ?

There is nothing that screams “Remote work bliss” more than having a slow island life while co-living and co-working in the Maldives.

Your first impression of the Maldives most probably included picturesque water villas, cerulean blue water, white sandy beaches, a destination only for honeymooners and families.

Having both lived in the Maldives for a couple of years respectively, we both felt strongly about showing the world the true essence of what this nation has to offer; its possibilities beyond the luxury, opulence, and glamour. One that is embedded with an authentic flair for the local culture. One that offers a unique blend of slow living, personal growth, intentionality and purposeful productivity.

And what could be a better way to start with digital nomads, like us?

Why a retreat in the Maldives sets you apart?

What sets us apart is that we are the first in the Maldives that offer highly curated Digital Nomad Retreats and Workations, carrying the philosophy of delivering purposeful, intentional co-living and co-working experiences. 

We are rooted in community, and each retreat is kept to an intimate size to prioritize inclusivity and inspiration and foster connection. Each retreat is designed to be a transformative experience. 

Our program is highly curated, and our shared work-life schedule is infused and created intentionally. One can expect to get work done here in paradise with intentional moments dedicated to community connection, exciting adventures, connection with self, mindfulness activities and so much more!  We prioritize play, presence, empowerment, and creativity.

We take pride in seamlessly integrating community initiatives, working with local vendors and businesses, and advocating environmental conservation into our brand, ensuring that every step we take leaves a positive impact and light footprint on the environment and the local community.

In all our trips, we care deeply about our wildlife and preserving the natural environment. We are committed to the highest level of responsible and non-intrusive interaction with our marine environment. 

Our goal for each day of coliving in the Maldives is for our participants to find the unwavering peace within themselves that can effortlessly co-exist with purposeful productivity.

What to expect from a workation for remote workers in the Maldives?

Waking up together to the pace of tranquility, accessing deep flow states as you work with the sound of ocean waves washing ashore, dedicating mindfulness activities throughout the day, lounging with a coconut in your hand, eating well, exploring the Maldives together, having space for solitude and contemplation, disconnecting intentionally outside work, a work-life harmony…getting work done.

What to expect in the Maldives with Zenera:

⟡ Co-working and co-living from the Maldives — We focus on work during the week and big adventures during the weekends! We offer island living with a shared schedule.

⟡ Intentional movement — Daily morning and/or evening yoga and meditation.

⟡ Disconnect to reconnect — As remote workers, we can be so dependent on technology more than we prefer. In our retreat, we are very deliberate in prioritizing presence, disconnecting from our digital devices after work, during our excursions, and communal activities. All of our work spaces have access to high-speed Starlink internet, and we provide a complimentary local SIM for each participant.

⟡ Unparalleled nature galore 🦈🐢🐟 — Enough said, nothing beats the Maldives, and you have to see it, to believe it! Each retreat is catered to experiencing different marine life, on our upcoming Raalhu Retreat, think snorkeling with nurse sharks, stingrays, turtles, and dolphins, exploring a shipwreck and so much more!

⟡ Authentic local infusion — One of the best ways to experience the true essence of the Maldives is to live on a local island. We are firm believers that the local islands in the Maldives are the best way to experience the Maldives’ authentic culture wholeheartedly. Unlike other local islands that have lost their authentic appeal because of mass tourism, our selection of prime local islands retains its quiet and simple way of living that often goes unnoticed by the conventional tourist path. We love it here and can’t wait to show you!

⟡ Community connection — Take this chance to foster connections and collaborations with other like-minded ocean-loving individuals from all walks of life. Really feel the “living” part of the “coliving” in the Maldives.

⟡ Invest in yourself — Leave the retreat feeling empowered, inspired, and rejuvenated with a deepened sense of self. Take a break from the planning, and logistics for a change. Let yourself be expanded by the infinite possibilities and the healing energy of the ocean. While this may not be the usual destination for remote work, we hope you will love it as much as we do.

Read more on what it is like in one of our retreats on our blog here.

What’s your dream for the Maldives in the coming years?

In the years to come, we aspire to expand our unique retreats across the Maldives, giving back to the local communities, and hosting unique pop-ups and get-togethers with digital nomads in the Maldives.

Download your free, 50-page “Maldives’ Local Island Guide For Digital Nomads” here.

Which digital nomads is this experience tailored for?

If you are an ocean-loving, wellness-loving digital nomad/ remote worker seeking a unique digital nomad destination to experience work-life bliss and be in a like-minded community, we would love for you to join us! 

A big plus is also if the Maldives has always been on your list!

This is how to cowork and colive from the Maldives

If this sounds like you, we currently have a few spots left in our upcoming Raalhu 14-day Digital Nomad Retreat that is happening this May (10th to 24th)! Discover more here and book through Nomad Retreats and take 150 USD off today!

We hope to see you there!

Meanwhile, read the rest of our stories and follow us along our Maldivian journey on Instagram.