Featured
The Nautilus Maldives invites guests to celebrate holiday season with uniquely curated festive programme

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a selection of truly imaginative, fun-filled and meaningful ways to create lasting memories and magical holiday moments with your loved ones at the ultra-luxurious bohemian hideaway nestled in the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Maldives’ renowned Baa Atoll, The Nautilus.
Especially in these challenging times, celebrating the holidays with friends and family feels extra precious and The Nautilus is an idyllic canvas on which guests can paint meaningful memories together and truly savour the season.
At The Nautilus, there are no clocks, no deadlines, no closing times – only a dreamy array of possibilities in a safe and joyful environment that lets guests relax, recharge and reconnect for the holidays.
The Nautilus’ team of House Masters are dedicated to ensuring utterly bespoke, memory-of a-lifetime holiday experiences for young and old alike and have curated a dazzling array of options from which to choose.
Younger Nautilus guests can expect to be spoilt for choice with their own activities including an Elf Zumba dance party, Mocktail Competition and a beachside Christmas Crab Race where island crabs compete at an impressive pace.
There are also a number of treasure and scavenger hunts including the Candy Cane Chase, New Year’s and Christmas Day Scavenger Hunts, Chocolate Hunt, and a Pirate’s Treasure Hunt.
Festive crafting opportunities for Young Wonderers abound with Santa-hat making, coconut painting, letters for Santa, a pastry workshop, and more. For movie time at the beach, there are special showings of holiday favourites such as A Christmas Carol and The Grinch.
There are simply too many exciting things to do and experience, and there is too little time.
The more mature – and the young at heart – can look forward to a world of relaxation with holistic body and mind healing treatments focusing on relaxation and stress relief.
Retreat to the blissful cocoon of the Solasta Spa and renew yourself, mind, body and soul. Throughout the holidays, Solasta spa invites guests to decompress with morning and evening yoga, meditation sessions or an Immunity Boost at Naiboli.
Festive gourmet delights prepared by the award-winning culinary team await guests with such fabulous gastronomic indulgences as a Spice Soirée, a colourful cornucopia of international flavours and textures from around the world; and a Journey of the Senses, a special holiday menu with blind wine tasting at Mediterranean restaurant, Zeytoun.
Feast under the ever-changing colours of the Maldivian skies – either aboard one of The Nautilus’ luxury yachts, on a sandbank, on a pod overlooking the lagoon, or in the privacy and comfort of your island home away from home.
Culinary activities include Maldivian Cooking and Gelato-making classes, Tropical Concoctions Masterclass, wine and spirit tastings, and the ultimate holiday indulgence: a visit to the curated Chocolate Room replete with cocoa delights handmade by The Nautilus’ patissiers.
Tropical adventures range from adrenaline pumping to mind enhancing including a High-Speed Seabob Safari, Ocean Discovery Camp, Deep Sea Fishing, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Competition, Maldivian Language Lessons and Full Moon Crystal Singing Bowl sessions.
Dive into the turquoise waters of Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to dance among majestic manta rays and other incredible marine life in this rich underwater world.
This holiday season, create a world of your own making at The Nautilus.
During this festive season, accommodation prices start at USD 2,825 before taxes, from December 15, 2021, to January 10, 2022.
Guests who are still looking for a gift to remember can choose from The Nautilus Gift Cards ranging from a Castaway Utopia sandbank experience where recipients dine on their very own stretch of pristine white beach to a Solasta Spa journey or by enabling the recipients to select their own favourite Nautilus experience.
Gift cards can be purchased online at The Nautilus Gifting Platform or for enquiries please call +960 660 00 00 or email hello@thenautilusmaldives.com.
Explore The Nautilus festive brochure to learn more.
Get to know The Nautilus at www.thenautilusmaldives.com, and on film. For reservations or enquiries, please contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com or begin crafting a world of your own making by booking direct at www.thenautilusmaldives.com or call +960 660 00 00.
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.
-
Action1 week ago
Maldives welcomes first PADI TecRec Dive Center
-
News1 week ago
Bandos Maldives achieves Green Globe Certification
-
News1 week ago
‘Haunted Elegance’ at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo: Adults-only Halloween under the stars
-
News1 week ago
‘Secrets of the Haunted Manor’: Addams family-inspired Halloween at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
-
Awards1 week ago
Hulhule Island Hotel wins South Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel at SATA 2025
-
News1 week ago
Madifushi Private Island named Best New Resort at SATA 2025
-
Featured6 days ago
Shangri-La Villingili Resort reopening announced for December 2025
-
Featured6 days ago
Minor Hotels to reopen NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort in December 2025