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Let’s go katteylhi fishing in Fuvahmulah

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By Maldives Holiday Homes. If you are looking for budget, island-style accommodations, and want to also experience life in the island communities, MaldivesHolidayHomes.com is the ideal site for you.

If you are tired of catching snappers, trevallies, and groupers in most of the fishing trips, then pack up your bags and choose Fuvahmulah as your next game fishing destination. Located just south of the equator Fuvahmulah is home to Katteylhi (Promethean Escolar)  – a unique large-toothed deep-sea fish — only caught in this island of 11,000 people.
About a 50-minute flight from the capital Male, the 5-square km Fuvahmulah itself is a unique island. Fuvahmulah, loosely translated, means “island of Areca nut” and any visitor would notice the tall areca palms in the island. Areca nuts, dried, roasted and fresh, are chewed with betel leaves. Its popularity among some people may be attributed to the stimulating effect of consuming betel and areca nut.
Back to the outdoor adventure – game fishing — that is more stimulating. Katteylhi fishing, popular among locals, enjoyed by the experienced fishermen as well as the novice, would also give an adrenalin rush of a different kind.
It was a year ago in February that I visited the island, having heard of the many stories about the deep-sea creature.  The fishing trips start from the harbor located on the southern tip of the island, close to the airport. Every day at about 5pm small boats, (locally known as bokkora), fitted with outboard motors, can bee seen leaving the inner harbor for katteylhi fishing.
I have always wanted to catch katteylhi and it was a perfect day for a trip to the sea. It was a sunny day and the weather forecast talked of smooth sea, low southeast winds and a 30-degree C temperature. But it didn’t feel that hot. Thanks to the mild sea breeze.
I was there in the harbor by 5pm looking for the bokkora and its crew with whom I had talked earlier and arranged for the trip.  It took a while for me to locate the boat and its crew of three. I knew one of them, Ibirehim Futhu, who was sitting on the bow of the vessel having his betel and areca nut – a single betel leaf, five large slices of raw areca nut and a piece of dried tobacco leaf. That was a fairly large serving and I could see the visible effects; sweats dripping from his forehead. The stimulant must give a good response.
The seemingly hyperactive Ibirehim Futhu loaded the fishing lines, reels, hooks, and sinkers to the vessel and we were ready to go. I was seated on the stern side and as we headed out there were few bokkoras ahead of us travelling for the same katteylhi fishing ground located west of the island.
Gone were the days when you have to use oars (called faali in the local dialect) to paddle the boat to the open sea. Nowadays the bokkoras are fitted with small outboard engines. Within 15 minutes of starting the engine we were out in the open sea, travelling over the Kedemoole faro (a shallow reef extending south from the southernmost tip of the island). There were four of us, the maximum for a small bokkora like ours, in this fishing trip.
By the time we reached the Katteylhi fishing spot we have caught enough baitfish. We can see clearly the big surf breaking on the island reef. We were about a kilometer off the reef.
It was about 15 minutes before sunset. With the clear skies, few cumulus clouds in the distant horizon, the sun was creating its magical effects casting rays in the twilight. The brightness of the day was receding slowly to darkness and it was time to cast the lines.
All of us, except Ibirehim Futhu, took the fishing lines, put bait, attached the sinkers and cast the line, sending them deep into the ocean.
As the bokkora has to be kept moving with the current Ibirehim Futhu was tasked to keep it stable. So he picked the oars and slowly paddled. Every now and then the bokkora captain Allidhi would say “elei” to which Ibirehim Futhu paddles the oars a little bit faster.
Few minutes before the sunset came the big bite. Allidhi hooked a fish. With a sudden jerk he swiftly started to pull the line. In about six minutes he brought the katteylhi, from depth of about 200 meters, to the surface.  The excitement and euphoria started as everyone began pulling up the elusive fish. Few minutes into the frenzy it was my turn. There was a sudden and powerful grab on the line, and in the knack of time I gave a quick pull to hook my first katteylhi. It took a while for me to bring to the surface the fish. It was fairly aggressive, and strong.
First catch of the day.
By 7pm, we have caught 15 katteylhi, sufficient for the day, and it was time to head home.
Soon we were ashore with the catch. Within few minutes the katteylhi fish were sold out. The larger ones, about two to three feet long, earned MVR 80 (about 6 US dollars). Some days when fishing was poor a large katteylhi could fetch MVR 200.
I took one and headed home to enjoy my katteylhi, local style – katteylhi boiled in water with a dash of salt, curry leaves, onion, garlic, chilies and pandan leaves. Eating it the fish with cooked taro, grated coconut, lime, and habanero. That was the most exciting fishing trip and uniquely Fuvahmulah cuisine I had.
How to make Katteylhi garudhiya (Katteylhi clear soup)
Catching a katteylhi, that is so enigmatic and unknown to most Maldivians is rewarding. And cooking a fresh katteylhi is exceptionally heartwarming. This is a very simple recipe for making Katteylhi garudhiya Fuvahmulah style.
Ingredients
1 large katteylhi (chopped into steaks, not filleted)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 stalks of lemon grass
Curry leaves
Pandan leaf (chopped)
2 chilies
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves (to garnish)
You would also need to have the following to go with boiled/ steamed taro
Lime
Grated coconut
Chilies
Direction
Add 5 cups of water and all the ingredients except the fish to a large pot. As the water begins to boil put the katteylhi steaks. Bring water to boil and leave for about 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander. Now you are ready to enjoy a popular local cuisine. Eat katteylhi with boiled taro.

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SO/ Maldives introduces ‘Fight Fit’ wellness activation

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On Saturday, 25 April 2026, SO/ Maldives will stage its “Fight Fit” island activation as part of the resort’s ongoing 120 Days Fitness Challenge, bringing together fitness, wellness and local collaboration in a resort-wide programme.

Developed in partnership with Fight Soul Maldives, a local fitness collective focused on combat sports, the activation is designed to offer guests both participation and live viewing experiences while also bringing a local element into the resort’s wellness programming.

A key part of the activation is the Muay Thai Guest Workshop, where guests will have the opportunity to train with fighters from Fight Soul Maldives. Open to different fitness levels, the sessions will introduce the basics of Muay Thai through drills, technique-based training and group activity.

The programme will extend across the island through a series of activities including sunrise yoga, beach combat training, aqua yoga accompanied by DJ music, and sunset fight showcases. According to the resort, the aim is to combine physical activity with the island setting through a range of structured wellness experiences.

The activation will also include a healthy menu developed to support fitness and balanced living, in line with the resort’s wider wellness focus.

Guests will also be invited to take part in a skincare workshop and ritual linked to the launch of products from Comfort Zone. The experience will introduce skincare practices based on science and sustainability as part of the broader wellness programme.

In the evening, the programme will continue with foam parties, fire dance performances, and live Muay Thai and kickboxing exhibitions featuring athletes from Fight Soul Maldives.

Through “Fight Fit”, SO/ Maldives is presenting a wellness-led island activation that combines fitness, lifestyle programming and collaboration with local talent.

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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience

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Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.

The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.

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COMO Maalifushi highlights uncrowded surf access across southern atolls

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COMO Maalifushi presents a considered approach to surfing in the Maldives—one shaped by access, expertise, and the quiet privilege of space.

Located in the remote Thaa Atoll, the resort offers entry to a network of lesser-travelled breaks across the southern atolls, where consistent Indian Ocean swells meet uncrowded line-ups. Here, surfing unfolds without urgency—guided by natural rhythm rather than routine.

At the core of the experience is COMO Maalifushi’s long-standing partnership with Tropicsurf, daily sessions are shaped by real-time ocean conditions, with coaching that adapts intuitively to each guest—whether taking to the water for the first time or refining technique across more complex reef formations.

Guests are given access to a curated selection of breaks across Thaa Atoll, Laamu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll—each offering a distinct character. From the long, forgiving rides of Farms to the more technical, fast-moving rights of ‘Machine’, the programme is designed to evolve with both conditions and capability.

“Surfing at COMO Maalifushi is defined by its sense of space and possibility,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “Our location allows access to some of the Maldives’ most consistent yet uncrowded waves, and through our partnership with Tropicsurf, we’re able to offer an experience that is both highly personalised and quietly exceptional—true to COMO’s way of doing things.”

The season, which runs from April through October, brings steady swells from the southern Indian Ocean. Yet beyond seasonality, it is the absence of crowds that defines the experience—allowing guests to engage with the ocean on their own terms.

Surfing at COMO Maalifushi sits naturally within the wider rhythm of the island. Time in the water is balanced with restorative treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, unhurried dining, and the simplicity of island life—creating a sense of flow between activity and stillness.

Here, surfing is guided with care, framed by nature, and experienced without excess.

For more information, please visit the resort’s website

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