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Coco Collection announces action-packed festive line-up

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Coco Collection has announced the festive line-up at its resorts, Coco Bodu-Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, for 2019/2020.

This year’s celebrations are going to be filled with jolly, unique activities and exciting experiences that will make the holidays that much more special for everyone.

Dust off your sand sculpting skills at Coco Bodu Hithi, shake things up while Bandiya Dancing at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu to kick off the festivities.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu will be opening the Secret Island Club for the young ones to play, learn, and enjoy fun activities with associates. Resort chefs will also be joining in the fun and will be spending an enjoyable afternoon with the kids, teaching the secrets behind perfect pizza and pasta.

Meanwhile, the team at Coco Bodu Hithi are ready to take you out on a mysterious aquatic treasure hunt to find what beauties lay beneath the waves.

“From Magical Performances to Merry Karaoke Nights, and relaxing zen moments of meditation to the adrenaline rush of water sports; there is something for everyone. Join our wonderful team this holiday season for a celebration of the ages,” an announcement by Coco Collection read.

Green Christmas Workshop

Coco Bodu Hithi will turn into Santa’s Workshop as the team creates homemade ornaments for the Christmas tree! They will be using recycled materials from around the island such as cardboard, coconut shells, tins, and glass. Join the elves for a fun afternoon of making zero-waste decorations.

Sand Sculpture Competition

Kids and grown-ups alike are invited to spend some quality time on the beach and compete to build the most elaborate sandcastles and sculptures. Enjoy a day in the sun and let your creative side loose on the white sandy beaches of Coco Bodu Hithi.

Siraj’s Christmas Tree

Siraj, the General Manager, and his team at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu can’t wait for the annual Grand Christmas Tree lighting ceremony this year. He will be turning on the lights and kicking off the celebrations at sunset with a beach BBQ, live music and a night filled with the joyous sounds of karaoke.

Santa’s Aquatic Arrival

It’s Christmas morning! Santa’s here, and he’s got presents for everyone! Take photos, meet Old Saint Nick near our Christmas Tree and see what he’s got for you! Don’t forget to ask him how he got to the Maldives.

Festive Mixology Challenge

Be merry this festive season and join the bartenders who will teach you the art of selecting ideal ingredients and shaking up the perfect seasonal cocktails. Compete against your fellow guests and see who can whip up the tastiest drink.

Master Chef Challenge

Compete against your fellow guests in this exciting cook-off. Grab the hidden ingredients from the mystery box and race against the clock to finish your signature dish! Whether you want to cook and compete or just want to eat, you’re bound to have a whole lot of fun.

New Year’s Eve Gala

The team of chefs will be preparing a grand buffet to usher in the New Year. Indulge in this sumptuous culinary affair where an array of dishes with Western and Eastern influences will be on offer; complete with a dessert buffet! Head out to the beach after dinner and join live musicians and DJ’s to celebrate and dance the night away. A truly delectable experience followed by a fond farewell to 2019 as the clock strikes midnight.

Two islands — Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu — comprise the Coco Collection brand.

Coco Bodu Hithi, the flagship property in Coco Collection’s portfolio, is a chic retreat where you reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the wonder of the natural world. Translating island life into contemporary sophistication, the resort, which is accessible by a 40-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport, offers 100 villas that are surrounded by the calm view of the lagoon and the soothing sound of the waves.

With seven restaurants and bars, Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates and offers a variety of exquisite cuisines, taking inspiration from the Maldives and further afield.

An award-winning wellness zone on stilts over the clear water, Coco Spa is a sanctuary for the soul. Mindful of the healing properties of nature and the ocean, the spa is designed to retreat for an escape, whether a massage in one of the eight treatment rooms or yoga on the pavilion overlooking the ocean and beach. With a range of products from the Paris label Thémaé combining the healing properties of tea, therapists at Coco Spa are trained in techniques to treat the mind, body and soul. An overwater gym within the zone inspires guests to keep up with their regime of active well ness when away on a holiday.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is dedicated to the inspiring beauty and natural wonder of the Maldives. Here, environmentally-conscious touches are woven into luxurious natural surroundings and initiatives contribute to the environmental and social sustainability of Maldives.

Featured

Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

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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.

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Entertainment

Spooky celebrations await at Sun Siyam Olhuveli with ‘The Return of the Mummy’

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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.

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Excursions

From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

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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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