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Kandima Maldives to transform into a spectacular Imaginarium for guests

Kicking off this December, Kandima Maldives will transform into a spectacular Imaginarium for guests. Kandima, the game changing resort with a passion on being #anythingbutordinary is fulfilling everyone’s wildest dreams.
Kandima presents the very kool festive theme ‘Imaginarium’ for all its guests this season. A place devoted to imagination, this festive season has been designed to stimulate the senses and ignite guests’ creative fantasies yet again.
With a two-week long schedule of activities, performances and imagination infused art installations, guests at Kandima Maldives will be endlessly entertained, whether it’s the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, DELI Of illusions, Kocktail Making masterclasses, Resin art exhibition, Gingerbread House Decorating or Island Scavenger Hunts and not to forget the legendary Kula Run, there’s something for every imaginative traveller.
Whether you are a family, a couple or just a solo traveller, Kandima is the place to be this festive season!
A Kandima Christmas
Everyone’s invited to take part in Kandima’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the 22nd of December. Kandima’s Breeze Beach will be transformed into a tree lighting extravaganza, with decorations, creative tropical lights, and singing Christmas carols.
On Christmas Day itself, forget the city grotto and line up for a photoshoot with Santa! With an in-house photographer to capture memories, everyone can put down their screens and have a wonderful time relishing the stunning Maldivian sunsets against the backdrop of the festivities.
For the Christmas day buffet, expect delicious menus serving classic Christmas dishes with a Maldivian twist. Fresh seafood and accompanying imaginative cocktails and bubblies will whet your appetite with live music to enjoy whilst dining. Try five imaginative and wonderful chocolate flavours specially curated by the Kandima pastry chefs all available to be picked at Kandima’s kool food retail outlets.
Endless entertainment
From incredible bands such as the high-octane group Nothing but Hits to globally renowned DJs such as Tanya Vie and famous children’s entertainer Marvel, Kandima has music and dancing to everyone’s taste from day to night to mark your perfect Maldivian festive holiday. With 10 unique dining choices, from restaurants and bars, Kandima is the best place to keep the party going.
The oh-so-kool resort will be throwing a festive bash on Christmas Eve before Christmas day but the party doesn’t stop there day next brings on a retro party before a big adult’s only white party hosted at the islands forbidden bar on the 28th, but don’t let the name fool you, nothing is forbidden at Kandima! Every generation has been thought of, with pool parties, guest football matches, kids crab hunts and karaoke at the island so parents can enjoy themselves without worrying about the kids.
The big entertainment kicks off with the official launch of the Imaginarium soon after Christmas where the islands transform into the new world of fantasies! From the Kula Run to the entertaining art illustrations to the super kool entertainment with fireworks to bring in the New Years! Maritime imaginers and adrenaline chasers will be delighted to discover a calendar of paddle board races, water volleyball, night snorkelling, dolphin cruises and diving with Santa during the period of imaginarium festivities!
Arts, crafts, K’reativity
The Imaginarium theme will see the anything but ordinary Kandima’s DELI transformed into a ‘DELI Of Illusions’ where guests will have the chance to experience the entertaining illusionary illustrations while they sip their kool-coffee’s and get creative at the nearby spaces with a Tattoo Parlour, resin art painting, Kocktail creation masterclasses or just a wellness filled vacation at the resorts esKape Spa to relax your imaginative soul.
The guests are also invited to join Kadima’s resident artist for painting sessions and unleashing creativity at the Kula art studio at Kandima. Located at the edge of a natural lake with a special ecosystem also boasting of the Aroma Café with a view, take a moment of peace to marvel at the work of talented local artists and their inspiring.
And for anyone looking to keep fit during the festivities, join the endless sports activities including football matches for the guests. Getting even more imaginative, everyone is invited to take part in the KULA Colour Run, an epic trail that sees guests run through clouds of colour as they explore one of the Maldives’ longest stretches of beach.
A new year like no other
Welcome 2022 with tasty treats at the 2 expansive all-day diners Zest, Flavour and other fine dining restaurants, offing a worldly New Year’s Eve selection.
Think of a world of choices, from the freshest seafood to the choicest of meats or the Asian delicacies to the mouth-watering delicious desserts – there is something for everyone’s palate.
After dinner, guests are invited to party the night away on the white sandy beach for a night with live entertainment and oh-so bedazzling fireworks display, a NYE that will be for the books, an unforgettable night of fun fit for the imagination, but in the real world.
The day after, guests can sooth aching heads with an indulgent New Year brunch, an intimate floating breakfast or lunch in your private villa, plan a castaway island experience for the couple /family or simply soak up the sun discovering the incredible reefs around the island.
With great accommodation options for every type of traveller and enough space to discover something new each day, Kandima is the fail-safe recipe for escapism this winter.
After months of stunted summer plans, it’s the perfect time to start a tropical tradition of Christmas in paradise or the Imaginarium New Year’s to give you that rush. Equipped with all the couple or family feels of a yearend holiday in the middle of the blue azure but none of the winter blues, guests find their imaginations ignited at Kandima this Christmas.
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Featured
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.
According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.
To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.
Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.
The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.
Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.
Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.
According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.
Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”
The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.
Featured
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests

As the golden light softens the edges of the day and autumn arrives in the Maldives, Soneva’s resorts are inviting families to embrace a slower pace. Surrounded by settings where jungle meets shoreline and barefoot living is part of everyday life, October brings immersive experiences, diverse dining and guest appearances designed to create memorable moments.
Soneva is renowned for its sense of space – and this October, that space is offered as a place to connect, explore and dream. Guests are accommodated in expansive villas, whether set above the water or nestled within the forest, with each generation free to follow their own rhythm. Younger visitors are welcomed at The Den, where activities include chocolate-making, coral reef discovery and storytelling beneath the stars. Adults are offered opportunities such as sailing excursions, wine tastings by the beach and relaxed days defined by a tropical tempo.
The Soneva Stars programme in October features a notable guest line-up. Tennis player Andy Murray will lead sessions on the courts, Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar will conduct family swimming classes, and British astronaut Tim Peake will introduce guests to stargazing alongside stories from his career in space. The atmosphere is intended to remain relaxed, with experiences that are both engaging and uncommon.
Culinary experiences remain central to the Soneva offering. October’s highlights include Michelin-starred chefs joining the Soneva Stars programme: Tim Siadatan of Trullo and Padella will appear at Soneva Fushi for the first time, while Chet Sharma of Bibi will prepare a Diwali dinner at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. Dining venues range from Flying Sauces, a treetop experience reached by zipline, to So Hands On by Chef Akira, an intimate six-seat sushi counter crafted in sake-finished pine. At Soneva Secret, each villa includes a private chef, offering a personalised dining experience.
For guests seeking tranquillity, October also marks the return of the SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, taking place from 9 to 13 October. This retreat gathers global figures in wellness, movement and transformation, offering barefoot rituals, sunrise breathwork and reflective discussions.
October at Soneva is framed by golden hours and starlit nights, with experiences designed to be shared across generations.
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