Featured
Le Meridien Maldives celebrates art of dining with spectacular culinary season

French tropical getaway, Le Meridien Maldives, continues to elevate dining in the Indian Ocean in creative and innovative ways, highlighting local produce and collaborative talent, limited-edition menus, and exclusive offerings. Bringing by the culinary season from 5th to 9th August, life, guests are invited to experience the best of gastronomy from all around the world. Presented with a series of pop ups, Michelin Starred Chef Manu Thevar and talented Mixologist Diego Ferrari will bring a twist to the resort’s variety of prolific dining outlets and a Summerfest by the shores to celebrate the finest of international flavours.
For an unforgettable summer soiree, explore the outdoor fest Au Soleil on 7th August. Fuelled by upbeat and music pop ups by star-studded chefs, Mano Thevar and Diego Ferrari, guests can taste the unexpected and indulge in a variety of activities at this shoreline hub, featuring a wine bar where diners can raise a toast to the mesmerising hues of a Maldivian sunset.
Michelin Star Restaurant Thevar by Mano Thevar – 5th to 8th August
Discover the flavours of India with the two Michelin starred chef, Mano Thevar, whose namesake restaurant, Thevar, is a modern Indian restaurant and bar along the vibrant Keong Saik Street which recently ranked No. #92 of Asia’s 50 Best Top 100 Restaurant’s in 2022. He brings a variety of experiences to guests to help unravel their palette with an explosion of flavourful plates. From family-style set menus to enjoy with loved ones, dawning a chef’s hat to embrace cooking classes with one of the world’s finest talents, to a pop up at the immersive Summerfest, Chef Mano brings his best dish forward for guests at Le Meridien Maldives. Starting at $540.00 for a 1-bedroom overwater beach bungalow, guests can make the most of their time in the Maldives with a min. 3-night stay and experience all of Chef Mano’s culinary mastery.
Diego Ferrari – 7th to 10th August
Diego Ferrari wears many hats; the iconic mixologist and author of the world prized book, Low Alcohol Cocktails-New Frontier in Mixology, is also the creater of the largest photo group of the world’s most famous cocktails, Facebook Cocktail Art, and will be debuting a one-of-a-kind cocktail pop up bar at the resort from 7th to 9th August. Ranked as #81 in the 100 world most influential figures in the bar industry in 2021, Diego is set to introduce a refreshing and innovative selection of carefully crafted cocktails at Le Meriden Maldives’s beach side dining spot, Riviera, following a pop up at the Au Soleil hub. Indulge in a specially curated mixology class at Tebamasu, paired with an omakase tasting menu with a fresh Maldivian breeze in a private open-air pavilion. Diego will also prepare dinner cocktails at Velaa Bar + Grill, followed by an Aperitivo private Island Bodufinholu bar for the discerning diners looking for an intimate culinary journey of a kind.
For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.lemeridien-maldives.com.
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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