Featured
Vakkaru announces festive programme ahead of golden jubilee year of tourism in Maldives
In 2022, the Maldives will celebrate its Golden Jubilee Year of Tourism, marking 50 years since the inception of the tourism industry for this island nation.
In a nod to this landmark achievement, the five-star resort, Vakkaru Maldives, will kick off its end-of-year festive celebrations with a ‘Glitter and Gold’ themed programme that reflects the rich heritage, culture and environment of the Indian Ocean.

Running from 21 December 2021 until 7 January 2022, guests are invited to share the joy of the holidays with family and friends at Vakkaru in tropical style, with a dynamic series of lifestyle and wellbeing experiences.
From bespoke menus, wine journeys and private dinners, to kids’ talent shows, sports tournaments and bespoke wellness programmes, this island paradise has something to get everyone of all ages into the festive spirit.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Vakkaru is renowned for its endless ocean views, white sandy beaches, laid-back luxurious accommodation, and exceptional service.
Of the forthcoming festive season and next year’s milestone, General Manager Iain McCormack says, “As this year draws to a close, we warmly welcome guests old and new to Vakkaru to enjoy our festive programme together, our prelude to this important anniversary for our island nation. Our team has worked hard to curate a range of exceptional, immersive experiences for guests, that reflect our special Vakkaru warmth and service.”

The ‘Glitter and Gold’ programme
Christmas Eve
The festive programme kicks off on 24 December with evening cocktails and a special Christmas Eve Gala dinner featuring live cooking stations with local and international specialties. So Blue & the Band and DJ Anna will provide a 24-karat soundtrack for the
evening with a mix of old favourites and the latest chartbusters, while an LED and Fire show lights up the night.
F&B
Golden Age cocktails crafted by the resort’s resident mixologists will be available throughout the seasonal celebrations; meanwhile Sommelier Ivan Zugic has curated a singular wine journey that includes organic and gold label wines such as Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux, Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion, Louis Roderer Cristal, and much more.
During the week Chef Driss and his team will take guests on a culinary voyage through time, with themed menus including the Golden Heritage and Traditions of the Indian Ocean (Maldives, Sri Lanka and India), A Taste of Arabia (Middle Eastern), The Golden Triangle (Thailand), and Mediterranean fare (Italy, France, Spain, Greece).

Entertainment
Sports will play a big part in the revelry for adults and kids with a Football Golden Boot Camp, a tennis tournament with resident ATP tennis pro, paddle tennis, ping pong, volleyball competition, and Family Olympics. Meanwhile children will be entertained with immersive experiences including a Pirates’ Treasure Hunt, Vakkaru Kids’ Got Talent, and Meet Santa Claus.
Wellness
Those looking to make health-related resolutions for the new year can book a consultation with Domingos Folgado, a visiting award-winning wellness practitioner, therapist, acupuncture expert and qualified personal trainer based in London.
Folgado will motivate guests to change their lifestyle and teach them optimal exercises to enhance it. Meanwhile Vakkaru’s Resident Ayurvedic expert, Dr Kalini Perera, and yoga expert, Imron, will also be on hand to help guests on a transformative journey to explore their body, mind, and soul potential.

New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is the night of the year to let your hair down. The entire island will be transformed into a fairyland for the finale of the festive season: the ‘Glitter & Gold: Bling in The New Year” Countdown Gala.
As DJ Anna and So Blue & the Band showcase the Golden Age of entertainment and keep you dancing with a medley of Oldies But Goldies, jugglers, hula hoopers, aerialists, stilt walkers, acrobats, cabaret dancers, and the LED and Fire show will keep you entertained until the early hours.
The culinary team will also pull out all stops to surprise you with a decadent celebration of local and international delights.

Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its spectacular sea life, Vakkaru Maldives is a timeless sanctuary recently named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort in the World Travel Awards.
An awe-inspiring 30-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport takes you to this secluded reef island, shaded by coconut palms and blessed with calming ocean views and powder-soft white-sand beaches.

Here 113 beautifully appointed Over Water and Beach Villas are elegantly designed to respect their surroundings, while exceptional dining experiences and amenities await.
Among the resort’s industry-leading offerings is overwater Merana Spa, complete with an Ayurveda practice and a regular host to residencies by the world’s most inspiring wellness practitioners.
Children and teens are generously catered for in the Parrotfish Club and Coconut Club respectively, while guests of all ages can play against world-famous pros through a best-in-class coaching partnership with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis.
Threading all those services and facilities together, our unique hospitality concept Vakkare places a sincere, proactive commitment to care at the core of all we do.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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