Featured
Go it alone at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives with new solo traveller package

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, is delighted to launch the ‘Go it Alone at Gili’ package, a spoiling set of new offerings specially curated for solo travellers. From photography masterclasses and snorkelling with the island’s marine biologist to sensory supper in the dark with toes in the sand, there is nowhere better on earth to switch off solo style, learn a new skill and reconnect with oneself this season.
‘We have seen growing numbers of solo adventurers flocking to our island paradise in recent years to enjoy the stunning natural beauty, abundant activities, world-class dining and spa,’ said Gili Lankanfushi’s General Manager, Nicolas Khairallah. ‘With this in mind, we have sought to elevate the experience even further with an exclusive new range of expert-led activities which guarantee to take our guests on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.”
Alongside the new activities, solo travellers will receive a range of added benefits including complimentary return speedboat transfers, an 11% reduction on all items from the Gili boutique, daily sunrise yoga sessions, complimentary spa access and water sports. The ‘Go it Alone at Gili’ experiences include:
Sensory Supper in the Sand
Gili Lankanfushi’s sensory supper sees diners transported to a secret island location to embark on a true gourmet adventure. With blindfold at the ready, feet in the sand and cutlery in hand, individuals are invited to take a leap of faith as their private chef serves up a surprise menu. Once the blindfolds are on, the diner will experience a heightening of all other senses, from the inviting aromas of the food to the sound of the lapping waves, before they are invited to guess the dishes as they savour each flavour – with no distractions!
‘Me-Time’ at Meera Spa
Solo travellers will feel the weight of the world melt away as they enter Gili Lankanfushi’s tranquil overwater Meera Spa. Here, a blissful 120-minute stress-alleviating massage awaits, taking place in one of the spa’s famous glass-bottomed treatment rooms. Following their treatment, guests can enjoy a restorative spa juice made with ingredients from Gili’s organic garden, healthy Gili cuisine and free access to the steam and sauna facilities. Those wishing to indulge in further soul searching can book additional holistic therapies including meditation, reiki, crystal and ancient singing bowl sessions, and enjoy daily complimentary sunrise yoga sessions.
Slumber with the Stars
For a truly unforgettable experience, individuals will have the opportunity to spend a magical night with just the stars for company on their very own star bed. Upon request, the Mr/Mrs Friday private butlers can make up the daybeds on the private roof terrace of each villa with luxurious linens, setting the scene with candlelight, champagne for one and strawberries. Best night’s sleep of one’s life, guaranteed!
Maldivian Cooking Masterclass
At Gili Lankanfushi, aspiring chefs can return home with the ultimate souvenir… A few new recipes to bring home! Under the expert guidance of Chef Hari and his talented culinary team, guests will learn how to create traditional Maldivian fish curries, sushi rolls, and their favourite signature dishes, before enjoying the fruits of their labour with classmates.
Snorkelling Excursion with Resident Marine Biologist
Accompanied by Gili Lankanfushi’s resident marine biologist, adventurers will don a snorkelling mask and a pair of fins and head to the 15-metre drop-off zone at the edge of the house reef. There, they will discover vibrant coral walls inhabited by small sharks and colourful schools of fish, turtles, and rays. The expert guide will help snorkelers identify the array of aquatic life, day and night, and explain the significance of Gili’s Coral Line projects and other ecological underwater initiatives.
Gili Goes Photogenic Island Excursion
Budding photographers will revel in the opportunity to capture their tranquil surroundings during Gili Lankanfushi’s photography masterclass! Camera-in-hand and accompanied by the island’s resident photographer extraordinaire, guests will be taken to the most picturesque spots on the island, where sea life, flora and fauna thrive, and taught the necessary techniques to create precious keepsakes from their trip.
Castaway Sunset Dolphin Cruise
Castaways can make like Robinson Crusoe with this bucket-list opportunity to spot local wildlife, eat canapés and enjoy a drink or two with fellow explorers as they enjoy a two-hour sunset sailing experience. Departing at dusk to coincide with the migration of the dolphin from the atoll to catch their supper in the deep sea, sailors will create memories to last a lifetime aboard this traditional Maldivian Dhoni cruise.
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy. The award-winning eco-resort celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2022, following a complete refurbishment of all 45 villas in 2019.
Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from £1,397/$1,722 based on a one-person staying in a Villa Suite with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com
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.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks Mental Health Day with Tai Chi for inner peace

As the seasons change, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves through a tranquil wellness retreat. In observance of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the resort will host an exclusive ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’ session led by visiting practitioner Thana Jindashotinun, followed by complimentary one-on-one consultations. Guests can also opt for the AVI Wellness Journey, a holistic programme featuring breathwork, meditation, yoga, and spa rituals inspired by the island’s serene natural surroundings.
Located on the southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort provides an ideal setting to reset both mind and body. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental property in the Maldives, the resort combines five-star island luxury with exclusive Club InterContinental benefits. Guests can customise their stay across 81 villas and residences, seven restaurants and bars, and The Retreat, an adults-only enclave dedicated to relaxation. The resort’s AVI Spa offers an overwater sanctuary specialising in signature treatments and therapies.
Harmony healer Thana Jindashotinun will guide guests on their wellness journey from October to 30 November. Having begun practising Tai Chi at the age of eight to manage asthma, Thana has dedicated his life to mastering the art. Combining a background in psychology, anatomy, and Oriental medicine, his sessions integrate a range of disciplines, including Qi Gong, Meridian breathwork, yoga, postural assessment, and acupressure.
Guests will have the opportunity to join Thana’s signature class, ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’, on 10 October at 18:00 hrs at Lighthouse Beach. The class focuses on calming the nervous system through gentle movement and mindful breathing, aiming to ease anxiety, improve sleep, and restore inner balance. Following the session, participants will receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore personalised wellness guidance.
Throughout his residency, Thana will also offer a variety of therapeutic experiences such as Yin Yang Bodywork, the EnerQi Massage for restoring inner harmony, and energy-focused treatments designed to promote deep relaxation and improved circulation. His Energy Detox Treatment is particularly aimed at revitalising the body’s natural rhythms and promoting a sense of renewal.
Complementing Thana’s offerings, guests can join regular wellness sessions with resident experts Zhazira Kurmangalina and Mett, including guided yoga, aerial yoga, meditation, and mat Pilates. For those seeking more active pursuits, the resort offers high-energy bootcamps, circuit training, and private personal training sessions.
The resort’s wellness philosophy extends to guests of all ages, with dedicated activities for teenagers such as Peace of Mind meditation and posture yoga at the Yoga Pavilion. Younger guests can take part in Muay Thai boxing, creative crafts, and Boduberu drumming workshops, while the Young Spa Ritual offers facials, massages, and body scrubs tailored for teens.
Visitors are encouraged to celebrate wellness throughout the season by participating in the resort’s holistic programmes and exclusive sessions with Thana Jindashotinun. From complimentary Tai Chi and meditation classes to bespoke therapies at AVI Spa, the resort presents an ideal opportunity to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
For a complete restorative experience, the AVI Wellness Journey offers guests a curated itinerary based on individual goals, including private yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions, spa treatments, and thermal suite access. The package also includes complimentary breakfast and dinner, use of non-motorised water sports, and Club InterContinental benefits such as afternoon tea and evening aperitifs. Extended stays come with added privileges—30% savings on seaplane transfers and meal plans for stays of four nights or more, and USD 50 daily resort credit for stays of seven nights or longer.
This October, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort reaffirms its commitment to wellbeing, inviting guests to embrace stillness, mindfulness, and renewal in one of the Maldives’ most serene settings.
Entertainment
Joy, creativity and connection define JOALI Maldives’ ‘Rise & Shine’ festive journey

JOALI Maldives, the Maldives’ first and only art-immersive resort, is set to welcome guests to a radiant festive season celebration under the theme ‘Rise & Shine’ — a tribute to joy, beauty, and inner light. Taking place from 21 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, the Raa Atoll retreat will transform into a celestial haven of creative expression, blending art, culture, and wellbeing experiences inspired by the resort’s Joy of Creative Living philosophy.
“Each festive season, our goal is to create an atmosphere that uplifts and inspires,” said Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “With this year’s Rise & Shine theme, we invite guests to reconnect with loved ones, express their creativity, and celebrate the holidays surrounded by the island’s natural beauty.”
The celebration will encompass culinary artistry, interactive workshops, family adventures, and world-class fitness programmes led by visiting experts.
Visiting Experts:
- Chef Nina Tarasova, the acclaimed pastry chef, will return to host her signature Russian Voyage Wine Dinner — a multisensory journey through traditional flavours and curated wine pairings.
- Dr. Sanket Yadahalli, a respected wellness practitioner, will conduct transformative sessions in breathwork for pain relief alongside Pranayama Renewal classes designed to restore energy and balance.
JOALI Maldives’ Rise & Shine celebrations will feature a dynamic array of experiences across its restaurants and creative spaces:
- Culinary Events: Guests can savour themed dining experiences including A Taste of Japan at Saoke, Indian Ocean Voyage, and the Mediterranean-inspired Levantine Dream. Curated cocktail evenings such as Once Upon a Sake, Old World Wine Dinner, and Theatre of Gin will complement indulgent festive feasts for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Orthodox Christmas and beyond.
- Art, Culture & Creativity: The resort’s immersive art spaces will host celestial pottery classes, wooden craft workshops, starry night painting sessions, and festive embroidery workshops at the JOALI Art Studio. Sustainability takes centre stage with coral nursery tours and reef restoration projects like Christmas Corals, reflecting JOALI’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation.
- Wellbeing & Movement: The resort will offer a holistic wellbeing schedule featuring Lunar Glow meditations, Qi Flow, HIIT Challenge, a Padel Tournament, and Sunrise Bootcamp. Guests may also book night snorkelling adventures, Primal Flow, and Core Connect sessions.
- For Families & Young Explorers: Under the enchanting theme “Stardust & Sparkle”, the Muramas Kids Club will curate daily programmes for younger guests — from Christmas tree decorating and mocktail mixology to galactic kite flying and star map painting — guided by Pico the Heron, the resort’s beloved festive mascot.
Beloved traditions will return, including the lighting of the Holiday Tree, the unveiling of the Gingerbread House, and the eagerly anticipated arrival of Santa Claus. Guests can enjoy festive favourites such as the Christmas Scavenger Hunt, a Football Tournament, and the dazzling New Year’s Eve Starlight Gala — a night of fireworks, live entertainment, and fine dining. The celebrations will also include My Maldives, an elegant cocktail reception where guests can toast the season alongside JOALI’s leadership team.
Guests can experience the festivities from one of 73 beach and over-water villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms, each attended by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician”). Villa rates start from USD 5,851 per night based on two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
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