Featured
Minor Hotels opens first Avani property in Maldives

Poised to bring laid back luxury to the shores of the Baa Atoll, Minor Hotels’ Avani brand made its Maldives debut with the opening of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort on 1st April 2023. Set on the natural tropical island of Fares at the western edge of this renowned heart-shaped atoll, the 176-key resort is Minor’s sixth property in the country, strengthening the company’s position as a key player in the Indian Ocean destination.
Answering global demand for competitively priced escapes without compromise, the new upscale resort launched with a series of enticing opening offers set to shake up the Baa Atoll’s hospitality landscape. From Avani Beach Studios from USD 650 per night, to Four Bedroom Beach Pavilions from USD 2,800 per night, vibrant couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends can reconnect and make paradise their own.
Reachable within 35 minutes of Velana International Airport, the new-build resort unlocks paradise with multiple accommodation options, from beach pool villas and four-bedroom beach pavilions, to expansive three-bedroom over water villas that fan out across the island’s turquoise bay.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has been designed to welcome group getaways and memorable multigenerational family stays with two, three and four bedroom beach pavilions, and two and three bedroom over water villas.
Through their multi-facted design, they strike a balance between privacy and connectivity, offering spaces for both relaxing and entertaining. Indoor- outdoor living can be enjoyed with tribal themed rooms that lead onto private swimming pools and sun decks, with the island’s pristine white sands and glistening shores just steps away. Breezy palm lined pathways lead guests to a selection of unique bars and restaurants, a water sports centre, an AvaniFit gym and a contemporary AvaniSpa. The AvaniKids and Teens Club are a hive of activity with daily programming and adventures in the great outdoors.

Fares is one of just 61 islands that enjoys the marine protected waters of Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort is in close proximity to two of its most famed landmarks; Hanifaru Bay where guests can spot whale sharks and snorkel with manta rays, and a beautiful chain of ring shaped islands known as the five islands landmark. With 12 individual dive sites off the beach, a 220-metre house reef teeming with marine life including turtles and dolphins, and the nearby Fares reef which is 600 metres off the shore, the resort offers guests all the bounties of the biosphere’s enchanting underwater world.
Avani+ Fares offers seven restaurants, in addition to private beach and in-villa dining. Guests will be treated to Maldivian and international cuisine at main restaurant Ocean Terrace and poolside bar, Skipjack, as well as delights from the grill at Charcoal. In the lobby, Hammock supplies grab-and-go snacks and kombuchas, whilst Tribe and Smuggler’s Shack offers sundowners and after dark tipples with molecular cocktails and the largest collection of rum in the Maldives. Organic produce are sourced from the resort’s mini farm and catch of the day delivered daily by local fishermen. Young guests have the run of the first kids-only restaurant in the Maldives serving nutritious, universally loved food.
From swimming, snorkelling and diving by day to moonlit parties and dancing on the sands by night, guests can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives in true Avani style.




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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