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Creative residency in paradise: Become Kanuhura Maldives’ first Digital Islanders
Kanuhura Maldives, an island resort by Sun Resorts and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to two creatives to become its Digital Islanders and live on its luxury island resort for a month.
Their mission: Indulge in every experience the atoll proposes to its guests and document it via clips, photos and social media posts.
On the programme: Stays in the island’s water and beach villas, snorkelling and diving in the crystalline waters, escapes to its two deserted islets, dining in the four restaurants, enjoying cocktails in the two bars and countless other heavenly experiences.
While it sounds like a holiday, it is definitely not a lazy one as there are some serious (but fun) tasks involved: underwater filming during snorkelling and diving trips for video making, photographing decadent breakfast-with-a-view tables before succumbing, creating wanderlust-envy Instagram stories during pre-drinks at sunset and of course, shooting breathtaking aerial photos and clips on the beach.

A creative retreat
The creative retreat covers the board and lodging costs on the luxury island resort.
The luxury accommodation offer comprises stays at the Water Pool Villas, which are located at the edge of the timber walkway, suspended on stilts into the turquoise lagoon on the Eastern side of Kanuhura. The private sundeck is extended into an overwater plunge pool and hammocks, providing the ultimate Maldivian experience. From the deck, the wooden stairs lead directly into the turquoise lagoon with the coral garden to explore just a few meters away.

In an endeavour to provide a real experience of the accommodation offer of Kanuhura, the Digital islanders will also have the opportunity to stay at one of the beach villas, nestled in lush greenery and with a direct access to the beach all the way to the glittering lagoon.
It also provides a variety of beautiful locations to get the creative juices flowing and backgrounds to spruce up any portfolio.
The successful Digital Islanders will benefit from guidance into the luxury branding world by the marketing team of the international hospitality group Sun Resorts, in addition to international exposure for a year on its social media and digital channels.
In addition to expanding the international audience and opening new avenues career-wise, living for a month on the island of Kanuhura Maldives represents a rich cultural exchange: Besides the guests from around the world, the team staying on the island is made up of 18 nationalities.
Because happiness is only real when shared, and because behind every successful influencer is a gifted photographer, the Digital Islanders of Kanuhura Maldives are a team of two.

How to become Digital Islanders
Interested creatives should flaunt their talent for the making of visual digital content by producing and sharing a travel-themed content fon the social media platform Instagram.
The content posted, whether a clip, one or multiple photographs, should showcase their aptitude to arouse absolute wanderlust and their eye for visual aesthetics, in addition to their photography and/or film-making skills.
When posting the clip, the caption should read, “We’ve got what it takes to be the first #DigitalIslanders at @KanuhuraMaldives! We’re ready for a #CreativeResidencyInParadise.’
Applicants have until October 19 to submit their applications.
The chosen Digital Islanders will be announced on the social media channels of Kanuhura Maldives on October 26 and should be able to arrive at Kanuhura Maldives for its grand reopening on November 15.
While being a blogger or experienced digital Influencer is not mandatory, applicants with an active personal blog and a visually gorgeous social media feed will be highly regarded. On the personality side, a keen eye for aesthetics, a love of the sea and adventures are a must.
A creative residency like no other, combining luxury vacation with inspiration, a perfect setting for the creation of unique content and the making of timeless memories.
All the terms and conditions to become the first Digital Islanders of Kanuhura Maldives are available here.
Featured
You & Me Maldives unveils curated Premium All Inclusive programme
You & Me Maldives, the adults-only luxury retreat under The Cocoon Collection, has announced the launch of its new Premium All Inclusive experience, aimed at enhancing island stays through a more seamless and comprehensive offering in the Indian Ocean.
The Premium All Inclusive experience is designed to begin from the point of arrival. Guests receive complimentary access to The Cocoon Collection Lounge at the seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport, where services are provided to ensure a smooth transition before the journey to the resort.
On arrival at the island, guests are welcomed in their villas with a chilled bottle of sparkling wine and a selection of canapés. The Premium All Inclusive plan includes unlimited premium beverages by the glass, featuring a curated range of wines, signature cocktails, top-shelf spirits, international beers and non-alcoholic options. The in-villa minibar is replenished daily with soft drinks, international beers, red and white wines, as well as assorted snacks. For stays of five nights or more, guests also receive two bottles of premium liquor from a selected list, provided once during the stay.
The experience further includes a range of activities. Guests staying a minimum of three nights are offered one sunset cruise and one snorkelling excursion per stay, while those staying seven nights or more are entitled to a catamaran cruise. Unlimited use of snorkelling equipment and non-motorised water sports, including canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding, is also included, subject to weather conditions.
Dining forms a central part of the Premium All Inclusive concept. Guests can enjoy three themed dining evenings, including a seafood barbecue under the stars featuring prawns, lobster and oysters. For stays of five nights or more, guests may also take part in a complimentary group cooking class, with a choice between ethnic or Italian cuisine, led by the resort’s culinary team.
Wellness offerings are also incorporated into the programme, with guests able to participate in up to three complimentary sunrise yoga sessions per stay, subject to availability.
The introduction of the Premium All Inclusive experience reflects the resort’s focus on personalised service and carefully curated stays. The offering is positioned to appeal to couples seeking relaxation, romance or activity-led experiences within an adults-only island setting.
Featured
Eid celebrations at SO/ Maldives blend Arabic tradition and Maldivian culture
SO/ Maldives is inviting global travellers this season to reimagine Eid not merely as a holiday, but as an immersive island escape. Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé, the fashion-forward private island retreat sets the stage for a celebration where cultural heritage, contemporary luxury and tropical glamour come together.
At the centre of the festivities is an authentic culinary experience at Hadaba, the resort’s award-winning Arabic restaurant. Guests are offered Levantine flavours, artisanal mezze and traditional recipes presented with a modern approach, creating a setting for shared dining and celebration. As part of the resort’s dine-around concept, Hadaba can be included in a wider culinary journey across the island, allowing guests to experience Arabic cuisine alongside the resort’s other dining venues.
As evening falls, celebrations move to Lazuli Beach Club, where shisha rituals and Arabic-inspired refreshments are served in a beachfront setting. Traditional performances are complemented by Maldivian Boduberu drumming and fire dance displays, creating a cultural programme designed to appeal to international travellers seeking meaningful experiences.
Across the island, Eid is marked through a series of curated activities aimed at encouraging connection and creativity. Cultural workshops, including palm-leaf artistry and henna sessions, offer opportunities to explore heritage, while younger guests are engaged through themed crafts, interactive games and sweet treat decorating. The overall atmosphere remains celebratory while maintaining a relaxed pace that reflects the resort’s character.
Beyond the festive programme, the resort positions the long weekend as a fully immersive island retreat. Guests stay in beach and overwater villas featuring private pools and ocean views, with interiors inspired by high fashion. Time is spent between spa treatments, lagoon activities, beach club experiences and sunset dining, balancing celebration with seclusion.
To mark the season, the resort has introduced two limited-time stay offers. The One Night on Us offer provides savings of 33 per cent on stays of three nights or more, along with daily breakfast, complimentary transfers and spa privileges. The Soo Summer package offers preferential rates combined with spa experiences, curated dining inclusions and additional benefits for water villa stays.
Welcoming travellers from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond, the resort presents Eid as a global celebration where Arabic traditions, Maldivian culture and contemporary design are brought together. This season, guests are invited to exchange routine for island surroundings and experience Eid through a redefined island perspective.
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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.
Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.
Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.
The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.
For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.
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