Featured
Hideaway celebrates wellness

June 12 was Global Wellness Day, a dedicated day meant to highlight wellness as a sustainable lifestyle.
A slightly broad concept, Global Wellness Day (GWD) defines ‘wellness’ as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. This desire to improve ourselves is a shared lived experience among all humans and directly affects our quality of life, the organisation states.
As wellness is a personal development, GWD is all about slowly changing habits one at a time to make an overall healthier life. Several activities are highlighted to cover different aspects of life, like walking for an hour, drinking more water, avoiding plastic water bottles, doing a good deed for someone, sharing a dinner with a loved one, and going to sleep early.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa understands the importance of a balanced, positive, and proactive lifestyle, and wanted to especially celebrate Global Wellness Day and share it with others.
To spread awareness and encourage others to highlight the date on their calendars, Hideaway hosted a social media countdown the week before Global Wellness Day. Each day came accompanied with a new post that highlighted a unique wellness aspect of the resort: adventure, relaxation, activities, healthy eating, and mindfulness.
On June 12, Hideaway also offered a special wellness programme for its guests — a whole day of activities to promote healthier living.
Morning yoga on the beach kicked off the event, and Zumba later in the day helped to keep the activity levels high. A degree of friendly rivalry was also present at a water sports competition and a beach volleyball match between staff and guests. Sprinkled throughout this wellness day was healthy cuisine options like detox smoothies, coconut water, and a cooking class.
The luxurious Hideaway Spa held an afternoon special “Coconut Beauty Treatment” with aloe/cucumber shots and Hibiscus tea to sweeten the deal.
A DJ night at Meeru Bar got everyone up on their feet one last time to dance and close out the night.
This was a very successful programme, and guests thoroughly enjoyed the activities.
Want to know the best part, though? It was not just a one-time event: Fresh homegrown food is picked daily; a well thought out and curated ocean/farm to table concept cuisines are there, fun and diverse activities are always available; the spa and yoga instructor are ready for any willing guests; and adventure awaits around every bend of the island. Healthy choices are a daily occurrence, and wellness is engrained in the Hideaway experience.

A hidden jewel tucked away deep in the Maldives, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers the rare opportunity to experience true luxury and seclusion.
Located on Dhonakulhi Island in Haa Alifu Atoll, this five-star resort is a scenic 50-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride.
It is pristine, untouched, and picturesque; with only 10 per cent of the island occupied, it remains an oasis that perfectly balances recreation, relaxation, and natural beauty– and, of course, wellness.
Come treat yourself to an ultimate wellness journey that you deserve at the Best Luxury Hideaway Resort in the Maldives.
Featured
Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

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

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.
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.
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