Featured
Soneva Fushi retraces Adventure of Corbin
Soneva Fushi, the award-winning luxury resort in the Baa Atoll, is inviting young guests to embark on the Adventure of the Corbin and delve into the Maldives’ remarkable maritime history.
The one-of-a-kind experience is part of the new Soneva Academy, which offers a range of thought-provoking, educational courses to children and teens aged 12 and above at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
Combining nautical history, ancient navigation techniques and essential survival tips, the experience traces the journey of the Corbin, a 400-tonne French galleon carrying a cargo of silver from St Malo to cross the Indian Ocean and trade with the East.
Plagued by bad omens from the start of its voyage, the ill-fated vessel ran aground on a reef just off the coast of Goidhoo on July 2, 1602, sinking with its precious cargo.
The three-night, three-and-a-half-day adventure enables young Sonevians to follow the footsteps of the early 17th century sailors who would have sailed onboard the Corbin.
Armed with GoPro cameras to record every step of their intrepid voyage, the quest begins at Soneva Fushi, with a barbecue on Turtle Beach and the chance to learn about marine world and island life of the Maldives archipelago.
On the second day, participants travel by speedboat to Innafushi, an uninhabited island near the Corbin wreck, where they pitch their tents for a two-night stay. During their time on the island, the young adventurers follow the real-life accounts of François Pyrard de Laval, a French navigator who survived the sinking ship, to get a glimpse of what it was like to be shipwrecked in the Maldives. This includes learning how to navigate using only the stars and getting to grips with basic survival skills, such as how to fish, prepare and cook the catch, and how to determine which plants and sea creatures are edible or poisonous.
A visit to the site of the shipwreck on day three is an opportunity to snorkel the clear waters, which are rich in colourful marine life, and learn about the Corbin’s lost treasure.
There is also a visit to the Rose Garden, a thriving reef system that is considered one of the best snorkelling spots in the Maldives.
As evening falls, local Maldivian drummers teach the group how to play the boduberu drums, an ancient musical tradition in the Maldives’ Dhivehi culture, believed to have been brought to the islands by sailors in the 11th century.
After returning to Soneva Fushi on day four, each participant produces a short film of their adventure, with a special family screening and certificate ceremony in the evening.
“Offered through our new Soneva Academy, The Adventure of the Corbin is a truly unique, immersive experience,” says Dr Bart Knols, Managing Director of Science and Conservation at Soneva.
“As well as giving young learners an insight into the Maldives’ fascinating nautical history, this unforgettable adventure also teaches them about island ecosystems, ancient navigation techniques and essential survival skills.”
The Adventure of the Corbin experience is suitable for children and teens aged 12 to 15, with group sizes of between 8 and 16 participants.
The fully inclusive experience is priced at $1,500 ++ per child when travelling by speedboat, or $2,500 ++ per child when travelling on the Soneva in Aqua yacht.
Celebration
Festive delights await at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
This Christmas, guests are invited to escape to paradise and revel in the enchanting beauty of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives. The resort offers a tropical promise of adventure, entertainment, and festive magic, encouraging visitors to create unforgettable memories with their loved ones.
As the holiday season unfolds, the pristine lagoons, charming island, and romantic beaches come alive with festive excitement. The resort’s luxurious villas are designed to immerse guests in the warmth and joy of Kodhipparu’s holiday spirit.
Each day brings a unique program of experiences tailored to ignite the holiday mood. From enchanting adventures in crystal-clear waters to festive gatherings by the beach, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:
December 8-30: Guests can explore the wonders of the house reef, engage in festive crafts at the kids’ club, and unwind with expert spa therapies. Christmas Eve highlights include a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony with live entertainment and a refined 5-course Christmas Eve dinner at Firedoor.
On Christmas Day, a lavish brunch awaits, followed by a surprise visit from the North Pole, and a delightful Christmas dinner accompanied by live carols.
To ring in the New Year, the resort hosts a New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, complete with a grand countdown pool party, fireworks, live music, and an exquisite dining experience.
Celebration
Hilton Maldives Amingiri welcomes guests to nature-inspired festive celebration
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa is inviting guests to celebrate the holiday season with a festive program inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldives. With the theme “Nature’s Mystique,” the festivities will kick off on December 21 with carols, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and a cocktail reception.
On Christmas morning, Santa Claus will arrive on the island, spreading joy and gifts, and on December 31, a grand New Year’s Eve gala dinner will take place under the Maldivian sky. Guests can enjoy a festive buffet, live entertainment, and a stunning fireworks display to welcome the New Year in style.
Young guests aged 4 to 12 years will find endless entertainment at Krakengiri Kids’ Club, one of the largest kids’ clubs in the Maldives. Activities include pottery workshops, beach art competitions, jewellery making, and pizza-making. Junior chefs can also try decorating gingerbread houses and holiday cupcakes. Cultural experiences, such as learning Dhivehi, Maldivian origami, and T-shirt painting, are also available. Outdoor adventures include pirate-themed cruises and island treasure hunts, with evening pyjama parties and a seaside fashion show providing after-hours fun.
Teens can enjoy a range of activities suited to their interests, from non-alcoholic mixology classes to tubing and kayak competitions. Competitive events include football matches, water polo, Beat the Pro badminton challenges, and fitness sessions like TRX training and teen Tabata workouts.
Families can join in with milkshake workshops, outdoor movie nights, Frisbee matches, beach volleyball, and table tennis tournaments. A multi-purpose court is available for outdoor workouts, tennis, pickleball, and padel tennis on the new padel court. For those looking for adventure, guided “Snorkie Talkie” tours, parasailing, and Jet Ski excursions to nearby sandbanks are also offered. Additional excursions include night fishing, dolphin spotting, and sunset cruises with Santa Claus.
Guests can experience the flavours of the season with a series of festive dining events. The Sip Tea Lounge will host Christmas high teas and Art of Tea workshops. Beach Shack will offer seaside buffets with themes such as Seafood Market and Street Food of the World. Aura Pool Bar will feature pool parties, DJ nights, and a bartender competition, while The Cocktail Lab will host Christmas-themed mixology classes. Culinary enthusiasts can also take part in a kombucha workshop or enjoy a five-course omakase dinner.
Origin, the overwater specialty restaurant, will serve a classic Christmas menu, while Eden Champagne & Gin Bar next door will offer rum and chocolate pairings and Negroni flights. Habitat will host themed buffets featuring a variety of international cuisines, with additional experiences like champagne tastings, curated wine dinners, and the Chef’s Table themed “The Five Elements of Nature,” creating memorable culinary moments.
For spa enthusiasts, Amingiri Spa & Hammam offers nature-inspired treatments designed to renew and revitalize:
- Woodland Wonder: An herbal massage followed by a forest-scented steam bath.
- Ocean’s Embrace: A spirulina body wrap and salt stone therapy that capture the sea’s healing essence.
- Island Bliss: A luxurious hammam bath ritual and foamy massage with eucalyptus-scented steam bathing.
Wellness activities are available to nurture body and soul, including laughter yoga, water yoga, sound healing baths, silent beach walks, and evening tea meditation led by the resort’s yoga practitioner. The spa’s Sleep Wellness menu offers calming options for deep rest, such as a signature massage on the Skye deck, an evening hammam ritual, or an in-villa guided meditation session.
International holistic healer Coco Maruno will return to the spa on December 15, offering energy healing sessions, including Tibetan sound healing therapy, reiki, and kundalini yoga, for transformative wellness experiences.
Action
Ifuru Island Maldives introduces vibrant Water Park and expanded kids club activities
Ifuru Island Maldives has announced that the brand-new Water Park Facilities at the Coconut Kids Club are now officially open for guests. The much-anticipated launch on November 1, 2024, marks a new chapter in family-friendly entertainment at the resort.
Designed for children aged 4 to 12, the Coconut Kids Club now boasts a vibrant water park complete with interactive splash zones and playful water play areas. These exciting additions provide a safe and engaging space where children can enjoy endless aquatic adventures, while parents relax and unwind in the sun.
Alongside the new water park, the Coconut Kids Club continues to offer a daily schedule of fun and educational activities, including arts and crafts, games, and creative projects, offering children enriching experiences throughout their stay.
“We’re delighted with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “It’s wonderful to see families creating joyful memories together, and we’re thrilled to be part of that experience.”
The new water park is now open, inviting young guests to explore and enjoy, as Coconut Kids Club fosters a vibrant, family-oriented atmosphere where quality time and unforgettable moments are central.
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