Featured
Ready, jet set, go: Kandima Maldives celebrates reopening

Kandima Maldives, the active lifestyle destination, is ready to welcome guests worldwide.
The only true active lifestyle resort in the Maldives, Kandima has left no shell unturned when it comes to delivering a guest experience that is anything but ordinary. The resort has taken the opportunity to ride the wave of change and reimagine its guests’ lifestyle in ways that answer their evolving needs and aspirations while inspiring them to live life to the absolute fullest.
At Kandima, health, safety and wellbeing not only come as standard; they are taken to the next level. Endorsed by experts, the new K’OnGuard health and safety programme, K’App with tech-savvy inclusions and contactless services give guests peace of mind so that fun never has to stop.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome guests back to Kandima Maldives. We have revisited and reimagined our offering to create a journey like never. We have spent the past few months carefully curating food, health, safety, wellness and recreation experiences to match our guests’ current needs and expectations — not to mention technology that will elevate the entire experience,” Brett Castleman, General Manager at Kandima, said.
“We want to do more than give our guests peace of mind; we want to give them a trip to remember. One that’s bursting with smiles, laughter and memories that will last a lifetime. Kandima never compromises on fun, so why should our guests?”

Get ready to just play as Kandima Maldives just doesn’t do boredom! This seriously stylish lush private island escape, renowned for its active lifestyle, welcomes back guests with its uplifting ‘Lifestyle Reimagined’ campaign, not to mention some new and cool initiatives and activities.
The Fresh Lab
Kandima Maldives introduces The Fresh Lab, a new farm-to-table initiative designed to support the local Maldivian communities and the environment, and to give guests a taste of sustainable and experiential dining in all 10 of its on-site dining destinations.
K’OnGuard programme
Kandima Maldives is one of the only few resorts with a state-of-the-art medical clinic with international doctors, that provide round the clock assistance, at the island itself.
The specially designed K’OnGuard programme closely manages all health, safety and service protocols while also delivering the differential resort experience to guests.
The island is large, making social distancing easy; all areas are regularly sanitised, and a full safety guideline can be experienced while keeping no compromise of the fun elements of the resort.

D.I.V.E, K’App, contactless service
D.I.V.E online is Maldives-first fully immersive virtual platform that provides interactive digital tour experience of the island for guests to enjoy even from the comfort of home.
Always looking for ways to innovate and enhance guest experience, Kandima’s K’ App provides digital check-in and pre-arrival registration from one’s own devices and contactless dining at all F&B outlets thanks to QR coded menus.
Kandima can also easily facilitate quick and hassle-free COVID-19 PCR tests as per the guests’ requirements.

Anything but ordinary activities
Kandima is a playground for the kids and big kids looking for speed, excitement, relaxation, marine beauty, watersports, diving or just that private piece of paradise.
Not only is the resort home to the longest outdoor pool in the Maldives, but it’s also an ‘Aquaholics’ dream thanks to the watersports and diving school.
Lifestyle Reimagined brings a new spirit and new activities to the island: expert therapists provide walking meditation and yoga classes against an ocean backdrop, while Reiki and specially designed spa treatments help guests to de-stress, disconnect and recharge, ready to play once again.

Kakuni Point
This stunning end of the island spot is perfect for swimming, relaxing, yoga and photography.
The K’Krew spent a lot of time here during lockdown and officially named it Kakuni, a Dhivehi word for crab as there are many to be spotted here. This spot is a visual treat and a photographer’s dream capturing the most amazing underwater experience and sunsets at Kandima, Maldives.
Kandiland
Lifestyle Reimagined isn’t just for adults. Kandima’s little VIPs can play all day in the best and one of the biggest kids’ clubs complete with its own water park.
Strict safety standards ensure peace of mind and Kandiland experts have got a lot planned from individual play to new exciting kids’ programmes.

“Lifestyle Reimagined is the start of an exciting new chapter for Kandima Maldives and our guests. As one of the most sought-after active lifestyle resorts in the Maldives, we knew we had to do something special to mark the reopening of our resort,” Neeraj Seth, Director of Marketing Communication and Public Relations at Kandima, said.
“Our Lifestyle Reimagined campaign celebrates everything Kandima Maldives is known for and more. It welcomes guests to a place where (almost) everything is possible and truly excellent in every way with an exciting new spirit. And we can’t wait to welcome back our guests and #JustPlay.”
And, that’s not all! To kick-off its new chapter, Kandima has some exciting announcements coming soon. So, stay tuned for cool updates this September.
For more information and bookings, please visit kandima.com, contact the resort by phone at +960 6760077, or email mykindofplace@kandima.com.
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.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks Mental Health Day with Tai Chi for inner peace

As the seasons change, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves through a tranquil wellness retreat. In observance of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the resort will host an exclusive ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’ session led by visiting practitioner Thana Jindashotinun, followed by complimentary one-on-one consultations. Guests can also opt for the AVI Wellness Journey, a holistic programme featuring breathwork, meditation, yoga, and spa rituals inspired by the island’s serene natural surroundings.
Located on the southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort provides an ideal setting to reset both mind and body. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental property in the Maldives, the resort combines five-star island luxury with exclusive Club InterContinental benefits. Guests can customise their stay across 81 villas and residences, seven restaurants and bars, and The Retreat, an adults-only enclave dedicated to relaxation. The resort’s AVI Spa offers an overwater sanctuary specialising in signature treatments and therapies.
Harmony healer Thana Jindashotinun will guide guests on their wellness journey from October to 30 November. Having begun practising Tai Chi at the age of eight to manage asthma, Thana has dedicated his life to mastering the art. Combining a background in psychology, anatomy, and Oriental medicine, his sessions integrate a range of disciplines, including Qi Gong, Meridian breathwork, yoga, postural assessment, and acupressure.
Guests will have the opportunity to join Thana’s signature class, ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’, on 10 October at 18:00 hrs at Lighthouse Beach. The class focuses on calming the nervous system through gentle movement and mindful breathing, aiming to ease anxiety, improve sleep, and restore inner balance. Following the session, participants will receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore personalised wellness guidance.
Throughout his residency, Thana will also offer a variety of therapeutic experiences such as Yin Yang Bodywork, the EnerQi Massage for restoring inner harmony, and energy-focused treatments designed to promote deep relaxation and improved circulation. His Energy Detox Treatment is particularly aimed at revitalising the body’s natural rhythms and promoting a sense of renewal.
Complementing Thana’s offerings, guests can join regular wellness sessions with resident experts Zhazira Kurmangalina and Mett, including guided yoga, aerial yoga, meditation, and mat Pilates. For those seeking more active pursuits, the resort offers high-energy bootcamps, circuit training, and private personal training sessions.
The resort’s wellness philosophy extends to guests of all ages, with dedicated activities for teenagers such as Peace of Mind meditation and posture yoga at the Yoga Pavilion. Younger guests can take part in Muay Thai boxing, creative crafts, and Boduberu drumming workshops, while the Young Spa Ritual offers facials, massages, and body scrubs tailored for teens.
Visitors are encouraged to celebrate wellness throughout the season by participating in the resort’s holistic programmes and exclusive sessions with Thana Jindashotinun. From complimentary Tai Chi and meditation classes to bespoke therapies at AVI Spa, the resort presents an ideal opportunity to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
For a complete restorative experience, the AVI Wellness Journey offers guests a curated itinerary based on individual goals, including private yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions, spa treatments, and thermal suite access. The package also includes complimentary breakfast and dinner, use of non-motorised water sports, and Club InterContinental benefits such as afternoon tea and evening aperitifs. Extended stays come with added privileges—30% savings on seaplane transfers and meal plans for stays of four nights or more, and USD 50 daily resort credit for stays of seven nights or longer.
This October, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort reaffirms its commitment to wellbeing, inviting guests to embrace stillness, mindfulness, and renewal in one of the Maldives’ most serene settings.
Entertainment
Joy, creativity and connection define JOALI Maldives’ ‘Rise & Shine’ festive journey

JOALI Maldives, the Maldives’ first and only art-immersive resort, is set to welcome guests to a radiant festive season celebration under the theme ‘Rise & Shine’ — a tribute to joy, beauty, and inner light. Taking place from 21 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, the Raa Atoll retreat will transform into a celestial haven of creative expression, blending art, culture, and wellbeing experiences inspired by the resort’s Joy of Creative Living philosophy.
“Each festive season, our goal is to create an atmosphere that uplifts and inspires,” said Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “With this year’s Rise & Shine theme, we invite guests to reconnect with loved ones, express their creativity, and celebrate the holidays surrounded by the island’s natural beauty.”
The celebration will encompass culinary artistry, interactive workshops, family adventures, and world-class fitness programmes led by visiting experts.
Visiting Experts:
- Chef Nina Tarasova, the acclaimed pastry chef, will return to host her signature Russian Voyage Wine Dinner — a multisensory journey through traditional flavours and curated wine pairings.
- Dr. Sanket Yadahalli, a respected wellness practitioner, will conduct transformative sessions in breathwork for pain relief alongside Pranayama Renewal classes designed to restore energy and balance.
JOALI Maldives’ Rise & Shine celebrations will feature a dynamic array of experiences across its restaurants and creative spaces:
- Culinary Events: Guests can savour themed dining experiences including A Taste of Japan at Saoke, Indian Ocean Voyage, and the Mediterranean-inspired Levantine Dream. Curated cocktail evenings such as Once Upon a Sake, Old World Wine Dinner, and Theatre of Gin will complement indulgent festive feasts for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Orthodox Christmas and beyond.
- Art, Culture & Creativity: The resort’s immersive art spaces will host celestial pottery classes, wooden craft workshops, starry night painting sessions, and festive embroidery workshops at the JOALI Art Studio. Sustainability takes centre stage with coral nursery tours and reef restoration projects like Christmas Corals, reflecting JOALI’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation.
- Wellbeing & Movement: The resort will offer a holistic wellbeing schedule featuring Lunar Glow meditations, Qi Flow, HIIT Challenge, a Padel Tournament, and Sunrise Bootcamp. Guests may also book night snorkelling adventures, Primal Flow, and Core Connect sessions.
- For Families & Young Explorers: Under the enchanting theme “Stardust & Sparkle”, the Muramas Kids Club will curate daily programmes for younger guests — from Christmas tree decorating and mocktail mixology to galactic kite flying and star map painting — guided by Pico the Heron, the resort’s beloved festive mascot.
Beloved traditions will return, including the lighting of the Holiday Tree, the unveiling of the Gingerbread House, and the eagerly anticipated arrival of Santa Claus. Guests can enjoy festive favourites such as the Christmas Scavenger Hunt, a Football Tournament, and the dazzling New Year’s Eve Starlight Gala — a night of fireworks, live entertainment, and fine dining. The celebrations will also include My Maldives, an elegant cocktail reception where guests can toast the season alongside JOALI’s leadership team.
Guests can experience the festivities from one of 73 beach and over-water villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms, each attended by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician”). Villa rates start from USD 5,851 per night based on two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
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