Featured
This Eid al-Adha go all out at Kandima Maldives for ultra-cool tropical vacation

Let this Eid Al Adha be synonymous of oh-so fun time with your loved ones! Celebrate this Eid in style and enjoy the coolest perks to a variety of special inclusions with the Eid Eskape offer! Your soulful well-deserved Eid vacation will be #AnythingButOrdinary with 10 dining options, daily entertainment, uber-exciting watersports activities to relaxing massages at the esKape spa. For the joy of the spiritual soul, your stay will also be complemented with a designated Mosque on the island.
Kandima Maldives is much more than just a holiday, it’s a complete lifestyle resort! Get pampered at our award-winning esKape spa and relish in our oh-so relaxing signature massages. Want to explore the vibrant underwater kingdom or indulge in some adrenaline packed watersports activities? Then the Aquaholics is the place for you! What’s even kooler is that Kandima is one of the very few resorts in the Maldives that entertains 7 days a week with live bands or kool DJs make you groove every night! Our little VIP guests are also in for a fun time at Kandiland, one of the biggest Kids Club in the Maldives with its very own waterplay zone! There’s surely no room for boredom at Kandima!
This Eid Al Adha, take part in a live performance of the ‘Bodu Mas’ (big fish) – the most anticipated celebration of the day in the Maldives. The traditional dance named ‘Maali Neshun’, based on ancient folklore of islanders struggling to catch the big fish and the accompanying evil spirits and ghosts, paired with delicious Maldivian short eats, piping hot teas and coffees, is sure to make Eid Al Adha a day filled with celebrations and stories to last a lifetime. That’s not it! End the day in style with a mouth-watering Eid Buffet at our buffet restaurant, or a feast from the specially curated set menu at our Smoked restaurant with your loved ones.
Is your belly grumbling for some more oh-so delicious foods? Enjoy a hearty selection of mouth-watering dishes cooked with halal meats during all of your mealtimes. With 10 dining options and 3 A La Carte restaurants offering healthy Mediterranean cuisine, grilled to perfections delicacies, modern Asian fusion, and a huge selection of international cuisine, you will travel around the world of gastronomic flavours! And why not have a Cast Away Bento picnic for an exclusive experience on a private island or an ultimate private destination dining to make you stay even more magical! Want to keep it casual? Try a ‘Movie under the stars’ experience with your loved ones and make the special vacay a memory to last forever!
Ready for an #AnythingButOrdinary vacay with your family? Then wait no further and book your Eid Eskape! With so many complimentary inclusions from a photoshoot, spa session, and more, this is just the deal you’ve been waiting for! Here’s what’s included in our Sweet Deal valid for stays from 01 – 31 July 2022 for a minimum 4-night stay on Half Board Plus basis:
- Complimentary Dolphin Cruise for two Adults and kids below 12 years once per stay
- Rate is inclusive of return domestic transfers for 2 adults
- Applicable for all rooms except Sunset Aqua Pool Suite
- Flavour or Zest – Breakfast and Dinner at all-you can-eat buffet with live cooking stations
- Unlimited juice, soft drinks, water, tea/coffee during mealtime
- Complimentary accommodation for 2 children below 06 years of age. Green tax of USD 6 per night per child will apply (additional meal supplement charges will apply for children above 06 years of age)
- Complimentary daily snorkelling trips (not guided) to house reef
- One complimentary 30-minute photoshoot with one photo print (05 inches) – pre-booking required; other photos can be purchased from SNAP! according to in-house price list
- Complimentary 30-minute spa session for two adults once per stay
- Complimentary daily scheduled yoga and fitness programme
- Complimentary kids club activities (daily)
- Complimentary use of tennis, beach volley and football arena
- Daily evening entertainment at Breeze bar (live music/DJ)
- Buy one Shisha, get second one complimentary during your stay
- Weekly beach games and pool parties at Breeze or Beach Club
- 24 hours Mosque availability on the island
There is also something more in store for the ones who need it all included with the uber-cool All Inclusive Package!
Culture
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to discover real island living in Kihadhoo

Milaidhoo Maldives, a boutique luxury resort situated within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has unveiled its latest signature offering – the Local Island Tour – a meaningful and intimate cultural experience that provides guests with a genuine insight into everyday life in the Maldives.
Nestled amidst the natural splendour of Baa Atoll, celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity and unspoilt local islands, this new experience extends beyond the boundaries of the resort. Guests are invited to journey just 15 minutes by boat to Kihadhoo, a serene and authentic island where tradition, community and simplicity remain firmly embedded in daily life.
Upon arrival, visitors are immersed not only in a new landscape but in a slower, more deliberate way of life. Much like the ethos of Milaidhoo, where barefoot luxury is designed to encourage presence and connection, Kihadhoo exudes its own quiet charm – a lifestyle shaped by nature, calm and community. Along its sandy paths, occasionally crossed by a scooter or two, time appears to slow down. It is a place grounded in authenticity and understated beauty.
The experience is personally guided by Ali “CR” Niushad, a Kihadhoo native and esteemed member of the Milaidhoo team. Acting as both host and storyteller, CR offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the island not as tourists, but as warmly welcomed friends. The visit begins with a traditional greeting from local flower girls dressed in Maldivian attire, setting the tone for an encounter steeped in culture and sincerity.
As the tour unfolds, guests are met with the everyday sights and sounds of the island: children waving in the distance, neighbours exchanging greetings, the rhythmic sweep of a broom, the gentle clatter of cooking utensils, and women gathered in joali seats, softly conversing in the afternoon light. A walk through Kihadhoo reveals vividly painted doors on homes – reminiscent of the colourful doors of Milaidhoo’s own villas – reflecting the island’s quiet charm and creative spirit.
This is not a traditional sightseeing excursion; it is an immersion into the heartbeat of island life. Guests enjoy fresh coconuts at a small, family-run café, visit the local school and community centres, and spend time in CR’s family home, sharing stories and perspectives. Each moment is organic, heartfelt, and grounded in sincere human connection.
In an era where travellers increasingly seek meaningful and mindful experiences, Milaidhoo’s Local Island Tour captures the spirit of slow travel: an invitation to pause, observe, and engage with respect and curiosity.
Experience Highlights:
- Price: USD 95++ per person (minimum of four guests)
- Inclusions: Return boat transfers, traditional island welcome, guided walk with CR, refreshments (fresh juice or coconut), visits to village landmarks, and a selection of homemade Maldivian snacks with tea or coffee
While Milaidhoo offers refined barefoot luxury that nurtures a sense of inner calm, Kihadhoo presents the soulful essence of Maldivian island life. Together, they create a compelling contrast – sanctuary and simplicity, elegance and authenticity.
This experience is more than a cultural outing. It is a return to the original purpose of travel: to connect, to learn, and to be changed in quiet, unforgettable ways.
Cooking
From garden to gourmet: Dusit Thani Maldives celebrates local, responsible cuisine

Widely recognised as a premier luxury resort in the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives is redefining the concept of sustainable dining. Central to the resort’s culinary ethos is a strong commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly, crafting exceptional, globally inspired dishes that reflect the natural abundance of the Maldivian archipelago.
Located just a short stroll from the resort’s kitchens, the organic Chef’s Garden thrives with fragrant herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Ingredients such as lemongrass, basil, papaya, and chillies are carefully hand-harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring that vibrant flavour and freshness are brought directly to the plate.
All fish featured on the resort’s menus is sustainably sourced from within the Maldives, provided by local fishermen who utilise traditional, low-impact fishing techniques. Wherever possible, produce is also procured from Maldivian farmers—an approach that supports island communities, reduces carbon emissions, and celebrates the rich biodiversity of the atolls.
“Our approach is rooted in a respect for the land and sea,” explains Executive Chef Olivier Portret. “Every dish reflects the story of the Maldives—not just its flavours, but its culture and its people. We want guests to experience something truly meaningful with every bite.”
Guests can enjoy these thoughtfully sourced ingredients across a variety of dining experiences, from fine Thai cuisine at Benjarong, to freshly grilled seafood served al fresco at Sea Grill, or even through interactive cooking classes led by the resort’s culinary team.
Through this garden-to-table philosophy, Dusit Thani Maldives offers more than exceptional cuisine—it fosters a deeper connection to place, purpose, and the planet. This commitment not only sets the resort apart as one of the finest in the Maldives, but also as a destination where sustainability and luxury exist in perfect harmony.
Action
Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.
This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:
- 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
- 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
- 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.
These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.
Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.
This immersive day features:
- Guided dives to the shipwreck
- Underwater treasure hunts
- Marine conservation talks
- Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals
The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.
Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.
- 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
- 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
- 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.
The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.
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