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Vakkaru Maldives to reopen on Aug 1, rolls out new ‘Vakkare’ safety programme
In response to the development of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vakkaru Maldives continues to follow the latest advice and recommendations from the authorities.
Whilst the country is exerting every effort to contain the virus, the government of Maldives is at its planning stage to introduce safe tourism guidelines. The tourism ministry has officially announced that the Maldives will be reopening its borders for visitors in July.
Vakkaru Maldives is looking forward to reopening its door for our valued guests on August 1.
New ‘Vakkare’ safety programme
The Maldives already offers one of the safest locations in the world, owing to the natural and unique concept of one island one resort.
Vakkaru promises you an intimate slice of paradise, where you can enjoy a safe and happy holiday in the privacy of your own island home. The one proviso being that all travellers have to be fit for travel and entry into the Maldives.
In preparation for its reopening, Vakkaru is doubling down on its commitment to health and safety. The resort is launching an elevated hygiene procedure called ‘Vakkare’ — meaning Vakkaru Cares — for the guests, its team members, the community and business partners.
Vakkaru’s dedicated team is being trained to deliver the most hygienic attention possible from the moment they arrive into their ‘Kare’, providing guests with the confidence that they will enjoy an exceptional vacation in the safest surroundings.
Whether you are travelling as a couple or in a family, you will be in the ‘Kare’, the moment you arrive at the Velana International Airport. Vakkaru’s team will ensure the right escort until you embark on your scenic journey to the timeless sanctuary.
At the resort, elevated hygiene and sanitation practices will be reinforced in all the public areas, production outlets and housekeeping. Proactive sanitisation and social distancing measures, particularly in restaurants, buffets and other common areas such as the gym, pool and beach will be observed.
Vakkaru will encourage many activities, such as diving, excursions, fishing and snorkelling, which can be privately enjoyed with limited contacts.
To give guests complete peace of mind, team members will go through all necessary medical checks prior to being back on duty. In the event of an emergency, a certified resort doctor will have all the necessary equipment and accessories in place, together with an isolation room, in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organisation and local authorities.
Waiver policy
Vakkaru remains committed to ensuring flexibility for its valued guests during these extraordinary times. The resort has further extended its cancellation policy, exceptionally for all bookings confirmed in July.
In the interim, the Vakkaru team remains available to assist you with your existing reservations, rebooking process or to provide you with any information regarding booking a future stay at the resort. Please contact the team at reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
“At Vakkaru Maldives, rest assured that we are committed to the joy of travel and delivering exceptional experiences to our discerning guests in a safe and healthy environment,” an announcement read.
“Until then, stay safe and stay inspired to visit Maldives later. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our timeless sanctuary in the near future.”
Set in Baa atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and just 30 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, Vakkaru offers an intimate slice of paradise with an enticing distillation of everything that makes this country so unique.
With spectacular marine biodiversity, white-sand beaches, exemplary service and the truly world-class dining options, the resort is committed to creating timeless memories, effortlessly.
Featured
World-first overwater padel tennis court launched at Meyyafushi Maldives
Meyyafushi Maldives, a new five-star premium all-inclusive boutique resort, has introduced what it describes as a world-first in resort recreation: a fixed overwater padel tennis court. Positioned above clear lagoons and framed by sweeping sunset views, the court offers guests an opportunity to play and unwind in a distinctive setting surrounded by panoramic ocean vistas.
Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the overwater court allows players to take part in a match while immersed in the natural calm of the surrounding seascape. Guests staying at the resort are offered one hour of complimentary padel tennis as part of the premium all-inclusive package. The setting provides a secluded and tranquil space for both beginners and experienced players to practise with the sound of the ocean beneath.
“Padel tennis has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we wanted to bring it to life in the most spectacular way possible,” said Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of BeKind Hotels & Resorts. “Playing on water, surrounded by endless blues, transforms the game into something transcendent – it’s active luxury at its finest.”
The overwater court forms part of Meyyafushi’s wider range of facilities, which include an underwater dining restaurant, an overwater wine cellar, water pool suites with slides, a mini bowling lane, and an adults-only sky bar featuring a glass-bottom infinity pool. Each facility has been created to offer experiences that encourage connection, exploration and wellbeing.
With uninterrupted sunset views and a distinctive overwater location, Meyyafushi Maldives’ padel tennis court marks a global first for the sport, bringing together physical activity, landscape and design in a single setting.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils ‘White Shores & Golden Lights’ festive season
This festive season, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to rediscover the joy of togetherness in what it calls the world’s gathering place. From 1 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a luminous sanctuary under its signature theme, White Shores & Golden Lights – a palette of shimmering whites and sunlit gold inspired by the purity of the season and the golden glow of new beginnings.
The festive spirit officially begins on 1 December with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, setting the tone for a season of warmth, celebration, and community. Following a period of serene island relaxation, the programme resumes in full from 21 December onwards, offering a vibrant calendar of curated experiences that continues until the Orthodox Beach Buffet Dinner on 7 January.
Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere where refined island living meets festive cheer. The line-up includes festive aqua aerobics, barefoot beach games, Gingerbread House Decorating, and the energetic Colour Run & Paint Me Wall Marathon along the shoreline. Younger guests can enjoy themed pyjama parties, while those seeking adventure may explore a variety of water sports and wellbeing rituals.
The highlight of the season is the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, presented along the oceanfront where waves meet the shore and golden lights illuminate the evening. With live music, seasonal cuisine, and candlelit elegance, the event combines the island’s natural beauty with cherished festive traditions.
On Christmas Day, Santa makes a memorable arrival at Kakuni Beach, delighting guests of all ages. Throughout the festive period, in collaboration with Reefscapers, the resort offers coral frame-building workshops, giving guests the opportunity to support reef restoration efforts and contribute to the preservation of the Maldives’ marine environment.
As the year comes to a close, guests are invited to welcome 2026 beneath the stars. Night Under the Stars, the resort’s New Year’s Eve celebration, features a coastal gala with champagne, gourmet dining, fireworks, and live entertainment that continues well past midnight.
From peaceful mornings at Shine Spa to evenings sampling global flavours accented with Maldivian character, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers an elevated festive experience. Whether travelling as a family, as a couple, or alone, guests will find each day filled with moments to remember and each evening touched with a sense of magic.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to experience the magic of the festive season with us,” says Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Each moment of our festive programme has been thoughtfully designed to reflect Sheraton’s ethos of heartfelt hospitality – bringing people together through meaningful experiences in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is also presenting a Festive Special Offer for this season. Guests may enjoy exclusive savings on beach or overwater accommodation, along with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, return speedboat transfers, and access to selected festive events and activities. Bookings made before 30 November 2025 will be eligible for stays between 20 December 2025 and 10 January 2026.
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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
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