Featured
LUX* South Ari Atoll: #BreakTheBias everyday

LUX* South Ari Atoll is proud to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight its commitment to promote gender equality by raising awareness against bias and stereotypes.
This year, LUX* South Ari Atoll celebrates all the powerful and influential women throughout the month of March by recognising female leaders among its team members and across the country while sharing their uplifting stories, cheering together for their achievements, and supporting them along the way.
The Ladies Power behind LUX* South Ari Atoll includes 56 inspiring women of 14 different nationalities working together hand in hand, holding positions in various departments to help people Celebrate Life every day. Their dedication and passion add great value and a heartwarming touch to the guests’ journey at LUX* South Ari Atoll.
Female leadership is not new to LUX* South Ari Atoll and is represented by women from various backgrounds. Mirella Veder is the talented Director of Sales, born in the island settings of Mauritius and now developing tourism in the sunny Maldives.
Sindy Lagare is another Mauritian colleague who joined LUX* South Ari family about eight years ago and now leads the wellness department as the Director of Spa & Wellness. A new joiner from Ukraine Anastasiya Babenko is the PR & Marketing Manager, developing creative strategies and hunting for new ideas.

The resort’s Housekeeping Supervisor, Sathuna Hamza, is coming from the North of the Maldives and arrived at the island as a coordinator back in 2014.
Another Maldivian talent is Aminath Shamheeda, whose passion for childcare brought her to the Assistant Kids Club Manager position.

In support of the main International Women’s Day mission – ‘To celebrate the work of women creatives and elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions’ – LUX* South Ari Atoll also called on creative spirits of the Maldives for a special Ladies Power Day. Artists, content creators, designers, fitness leaders, entrepreneurs gathered on the idyllic tropical island, to share their own stories on how they continue to #BreakTheBias on the way to success during the special Ladies Power Lunch and enjoyed a full day exploring the resort.
The invitees included fitness enthusiasts: Kai, a famous Maldivian coach and founder of Train with Kai, and Imna Maryam, Marketing Director of Tropical Fitness who actively promotes female empowerment in the corporate setting. The creative story tellers around the table were Naj, a photographer and videographer, founder of Two Thousand Isles, Naza Nazeem, the content creator at Hotelier Maldives, and Aishath Aima Musthafa, a renowned artist and one of the founders of the Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society.
Aishath Shabana, the Partnerships Manager of the Maldives Ocean Plastic Alliance, and Viktoriia Narozhna, the Reservation Manager of Resort Life Maldives, are the passionate supporters of local sustainable development and tourism.
Guests of the resort are also included in the celebration and are welcome to enjoy special offers during their stay. One of the highlights is the ‘Mother and Daughter’ pampering experience in the LUX* ME Spa, with beauty treatments and fitness activities designed for ladies of all ages.
For more information on the resort’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, please visit www.luxresorts.com or the @luxsouthari Instagram page.
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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