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Underwater fantasy world festive fun at Kandima Maldives

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This Christmas the Maldives’ game-changing affordable lifestyle resort, Kandima Maldives, is making a splash with an anything-but-ordinary two-week-long programme of activities starting 22nd December under the theme “Aqua Fantasia”. Plunge into an underwater fantasy world where even the wildest imaginations are brought to life as the (desti)nation turns into a vibrant tropical paradise and ocean-inspired playground. Ring in the most wonderful time of the year the K’way with these festive activities promising fun for all ages!

Guests are invited to enjoy familiar holiday traditions from gingerbread house decorating to spectacular Christmas tree lighting all with a cool island twist. Complete with day-long activities for kids, including a stylish Santa arrival on Christmas day, a magic show, curated dinners, and an oh-so entertaining Christmas Eve party, the festive program is sure to sleigh your Christmas holiday.

Kandima invites those with adventure in their souls to splash into the New Year by indulging in a multitude of adrenaline-filled adventures. These active lifestyle experiences include a mind-boggling underwater-themed art exhibition, a thrilling aqua treasure hunt, and a playfully competitive paddle board and kayak race.

Ignite your inner aquaholic and discover the depths of the Indian Ocean with fun dives, night snorkelling, sea bob experiences and even coral adoption for nature lovers. This festive season will be like no other for maritime imaginers and adrenaline chasers at Kandima!

Kandima is reimagining festive fun in the K’way with an exciting series of immersive experiences and events for all ages! Be it spectacular dance performances from the renowned Optical Entertainment crew, complete with mermaids and a fire show, pool parties, art festival, beach barbecue or live entertainment performances, there is something lined up for every imaginative traveller!  While you sit back, relax, and enjoy some alone time with your partner, Kandiland, the island resort’s dedicated zone for kids, has got you covered with a curated programme of playful adventures like no other. The line-up of activities includes a magic show by internationally acclaimed Mr. Marvel from the UK, themed mermaid and superhero parties, a scavenger hunt, and more!

Kandima is sure to delight everyone’s tastebuds with underwater-inspired gastronomy experiences across 10 dining options. During the festive season, all restaurants and bars will carry a simile of an underwater inspiration with fresh ingredients inspired by the ocean carefully crafted into mouth-watering dishes mimicking the underwater world. Whether you indulge in buffets, seafood popups, marine life-inspired desserts or hand-made ‘kocktails’, you’re in for a lip-smacking experience! Additionally, guests won’t want to miss the enchanting underwater New Years’ Eve gala which promises to WOW.

After getting your daily dose of vitamin sea, relax into an ocean-inspired wellness treatment at the award-winning esKape spa. Try the festive season outdoor aqua dome or warm lava shell massage, each personalised wellness experience will awaken your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body. Nestled in the tropical surroundings of the island, the esKape spa is the perfect place to detach from distractions and glow from the inside out.

Regardless of whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends, solo, or as a family, there’s something for everyone this festive season at Kandima – the coolest and most stylish resort in the Maldives!

View the full programme of festive season events at Kandima Maldives here

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

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