Featured
JA Mafanaru creates collaborative menu with Michelin-starred Chef Da Dong

JA Manafaru has announced a collaboration with China’s most renowned chef Da Dong to create a signature culinary experience for its guests.
Admired for his innovation of modern Chinese cuisine, Chef Da Dong founded Da Dong Roast Duck in Beijing more than 30 years ago and it has since expanded to nine locations around Beijing. Two of his Shanghai restaurants have Michelin stars.
Chef Da Dong spent several weeks in JA Manafaru exploring the potential of combining Maldivian flavours and ingredients with his distinctive Chinese cooking styles and techniques. The result is a menu combining both local ingredients and his signature dishes – a uniquely memorable dining experience.
The collaborative menu is offered at JA Manafaru’s award-winning overwater White Orchid restaurant, which offers Asian fusion cuisine that takes your taste buds on a journey across Asia with an exotic mix of Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai specialty dishes.
The collaboration between JA Manafaru and Chef Da Dong is part of a new group-wide push by JA Resorts & Hotels — one of Dubai’s longest-serving homegrown hospitality brands — to build on its excellent culinary offerings, with the opening of 10 new restaurants in 2019 alongside four collaborations with international chefs of Michelin star acclaim.
JA Resorts & Hotels cites their food and beverage vision as creating community-focused restaurants providing one-of-a-kind experiences that energise everyone, with an enthusiastic welcome, exceptional service, awesome food, killer tunes and an unforgettable time, resulting in profitable restaurants.
“Our fundamental belief is that the Food & Beverage outlets of any hotel are what provide the character and energy of the property. These restaurants can define the personality of the hotel, if they are attractive and exciting to the local community. We are on a journey to creating unique and memorable F&B outlets for our consumers,” Rob Cunningham, newly appointed Vice President of Food & Beverage at JA Resorts & Hotels, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Situated on the northern tip of Haa Alifu atoll, a picturesque 75-minute seaplane flight away from Velana International Airport, the luxurious JA Manafaru beckons adventurous groups to its island paradise and chilled summer scene. Travellers can snorkel through Manafaru island’s stunning shallow reef and the gram-worthy azure blue ocean whilst spotting an array of exotic sea life including Triggerfish, Angelfish, Unicornfish, Eagle Ray, Moorish Idol, Butterflyfish, Clownfish, Stingrays and Blacktip Sharks. Super adventurers can even try night snorkelling and experience a whole new world of wonder.
Food lovers can try deep-sea fishing in a secluded tropical island setting on a traditional Maldivian boat, before indulging the taste buds and dining on your day’s catch in Ocean Grill, which features palm trees and idyllic blue-sky views. For a day of relaxation and laidback vibes, explorers can set sail on a castaway adventure to an uninhibited picture-perfect island. Known as one of the most serene islands in the Maldives, Medhafushi is just a short 10-minute trip away and offers a deserted island setting for picnics and dinners that will create unforgettable memories.
Featuring a stunning selection of beach bungalows and water villas equipped with their own private pool, the tropical paradise has everything adventure aficionados desire, including bicycles to explore the island, scuba diving, water sports, tennis, beach volleyball, plus seven world-class restaurants. Step into your best summer yet at JA Manafaru, Maldives – the perfect escape from city life!
Featured
Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

Machchafushi, meaning ‘Fish Island’ in Dhivehi, encapsulates the essence of this serene retreat in South Ari Atoll. As part of The Centara Collection, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa embodies the true spirit of the Maldives, offering guests an intimate connection with the ocean, marine life, and the island’s cultural heritage.
Situated within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a UNESCO-recognised site, Machchafushi provides year-round access to remarkable marine experiences, vibrant coral ecosystems, and unforgettable underwater explorations, including the famous Kudhimaa shipwreck. Once a secluded, uninhabited island, Machchafushi holds a special place in the cultural landscape of the Maldives. Today, as part of this protected marine reserve, it continues to remain authentic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its natural surroundings.
Marine life is at the heart of the Machchafushi experience. The island offers some of the world’s highest whale shark resighting rates, with encounters available throughout the year. Guests may also encounter graceful manta rays and a colourful abundance of tropical fish drifting through crystalline waters. Encircled by a renowned house reef—stretching nearly five times the island’s size—the area is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 200 varieties of coral, creating an underwater paradise.
South Ari Atoll is celebrated as one of the Maldives’ finest diving regions, featuring over fifty dive sites teeming with marine life. Kudarah Thila presents a UNESCO-protected labyrinth of overhangs and swim-throughs populated by fusiliers and snappers, while Broken Rock captivates divers with its dramatic canyon of corals and macro life, ideal for underwater photography. Dhigurah Beyru and Maamigili Corner are noted for encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and occasionally dolphins. The 52-metre Kudhimaa Wreck has evolved into a thriving coral habitat, now home to lionfish, batfish, groupers, and the well-camouflaged stonefish and frogfish. Nearby, Anemone Alley flourishes beneath the seasonal seaplane platform, forming a vibrant ecosystem that draws snorkellers and divers alike. The house reef remains the beating heart of Machchafushi—a world-class natural wonder beneath the waves.
Beyond the ocean, the island tells a story of its own. At its centre stands a centuries-old Banyan Tree, known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, or ‘Wish Fulfilment’. This living symbol invites guests to pause and reflect, taking part in the Sacred Thread Ceremony, where wishes and intentions are tied to the tree’s branches—creating a bond that endures long after their stay.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Machchafushi’s philosophy, ensuring the preservation of both its natural beauty and cultural legacy. Every sunrise, dive, and golden thread tied to the Ummeedhu Tree becomes part of a continuing narrative—one that celebrates the Maldives’ heritage and invites guests to create lasting memories in harmony with nature.
Entertainment
Spooky celebrations await at Sun Siyam Olhuveli with ‘The Return of the Mummy’

Sun Siyam Olhuveli will transform into a realm of ancient legends and eerie excitement this Halloween with its themed celebration, The Return of the Mummy. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in two days of themed activities, family games, and live entertainment throughout the resort.
The highlight of the celebration will be a beachfront performance by Swedish DJ and rising international talent Caroline Roxy. A multifaceted artist—DJ, singer-songwriter, producer, fashion designer, and former model—Caroline is known for fusing energetic electronic beats with pop-inspired rhythms. Drawing on her musical upbringing and experience performing at festivals in cities such as Stockholm and Los Angeles, she is set to deliver an electrifying performance that promises to bring a captivating energy to the shores of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

The festivities will begin on 31 October 2025 with a Halloween Beach Fest, featuring mummy-themed games, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat adventures, and the popular Mummy Dance Freeze for younger guests. As night falls, the Lagoon Bar will become the centre of the celebration, with flickering lights, pulsing music, and a much-anticipated DJ set by Caroline Roxy. Her performance will combine haunting melodies with powerful electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an unforgettable Halloween evening.
Celebrations will continue on 1 November 2025 with treasure hunts, themed cupcake and marshmallow workshops for children, and a sunset pirate cruise. Adults can take part in a Halloween boot camp before the evening concludes with a fire show and live music by Hightides at the Lagoon Bar.
Blending ancient Egyptian mystery with island charm, The Return of the Mummy at Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to experience a unique Halloween adventure where the legends of the past meet the magic of the Maldives.
Excursions
From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
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