Bandos Maldives is celebrating the remarkable journey of loyal guests Kate and Andy, whose deep bond with the island and its vibrant underwater world has beautifully evolved over two decades.

Their Bandos story began in 2006, and ever since they have retuned back at least twice a year. In2014, they returned for a truly unforgettable milestone: exchanging their vows underwater at Bandos. Since then, diving has remained at the heart of their visits. Kate marked her 1,000th dive with more than 900 of them alongside the Bandos dive team, and Andy celebrated his 900th dive, all completed with Dive Bandos, in September 2025.

This special journey has now reached another milestone with Mrs. Watkinson’s 50th visit to Bandos and more than 400 dives on the Bandos house reef. To commemorate this extraordinary connection, Bandos has dedicated a special area of the house reef to her, creating a lasting tribute to her many years of memories beneath the waves. The area, named the K & A Coral Garden, forms part of the resort’s coral restoration project. Acropora coral fragments are carefully secured to suspended nylon ropes using a frame-based restoration method. As the coral grows, the garden will develop into a living habitat, providing shelter to marine life and enriching the biodiversity of the house reef.

More than a celebration, the K & A Coral Garden represents a living legacy: honouring 50 visits, hundreds of dives, and a lasting connection with the ocean while contributing to the continued restoration of Bandos’ house reef.

Beyond their love for the vibrant marine life, the couple is dedicated advocates for eco-friendly practices. To create a timeless memory of their incredible 50th visit, they also planted a frangipani tree right outside their favourite villa at the resort to grow alongside the resort for years to come.

General Manager Ismail Rasheed shared, “We are honoured to celebrate such an extraordinary milestone with Kate and Andy. We truly value the profound and lasting bond they have built with the resort. The K & A Coral Garden is a meaningful way for us to celebrate their connection while creating something that will continue to give back to the reef they have enjoyed for so many years.”

From underwater vows and milestone dives to a coral garden that will continue to grow, Kate and Andy’s journey with Bandos Maldives is a beautiful story of loyalty, love and a shared passion for the ocean: one that will continue to live beneath the waves.

As the final quarter of the year approaches, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives introduces Celebrate More, Feel More, a seasonal invitation to reconnect, celebrate and create meaningful memories in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Running from October through December 2026, the campaign brings together a collection of island experiences, special occasions and seasonal offers, culminating in the resort’s festive programme, A Celebration of Light & Lagoon.

Just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the 120-villa resort offers an accessible island escape where guests can choose their own pace, from underwater adventures and restorative wellness to intimate dining and shared celebrations.

A Season of Connection

At the heart of Celebrate More, Feel More is a simple idea: the most memorable holidays are defined not only by where we travel, but by how those experiences make us feel.

Reflecting the resort’s Connected Island Luxury philosophy, the campaign celebrates four dimensions of island life: connection with nature, connection with loved ones, connection with oneself and connection with the distinctive character of the Maldives.

Whether marking a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, gathering with family or simply taking time away together, guests are encouraged to shape their own island story.

October: Remember the Quiet –Reconnecting Through Sound and Stillness

October will see the launch of a new signature stay Remember the Quiet, an invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and rediscover the restorative power of sound and stillness.

Surrounded by the gentle rhythms of the Indian Ocean, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives offers a natural setting in which to slow down, become more present and reconnect with oneself and loved ones.

From the sound of waves against the shore to moments of stillness overlooking the lagoon, the island encourages guests to experience the Maldives beyond its extraordinary scenery. Full details will be revealed closer to the date.

November: Celebrate Together

November shifts the spotlight towards shared experiences, exceptional dining and the pleasure of spending time together. At the resort’s signature overwater restaurant, FireDoor, guests can discover a distinctive dining experience featuring a glass-floor setting overlooking the marine world below.

The resort’s signature stay experience, Kodhipparu Reef Connection, takes on a special edition for Black Friday. Thanksgiving also provides an opportunity for American travellers and expatriates living across the region to gather with friends and family in an alternative tropical setting.

Throughout the month, the emphasis is on celebrating the people and experiences that make travel meaningful.

December: A Celebration of Light & Lagoon

The season culminates in A Celebration of Light & Lagoon, Grand Park Kodhipparu’s festive theme for 2026. Against a backdrop of turquoise waters, golden sunsets and starlit evenings, the resort invites guests to exchange familiar winter traditions for an island celebration.

From Christmas dining and family time to romantic evenings and New Year festivities, the programme will bring together the resort’s culinary, lifestyle and recreational experiences.

Plan Your Island Celebration

Throughout the final quarter of 2027, guests can discover the resort through a combination of signature experiences. The result is an island holiday that can be as active, restorative, romantic or sociable as each guest chooses.

“Celebrations are not always about grand occasions. Sometimes, they are simply about finding the time to reconnect with the people who matter most. With Celebrate More, Feel More, we want to give our guests the freedom to create their own special moments, whether that means exploring our house reef, sharing an exceptional dinner or welcoming the New Year together beneath the Maldivian stars,” Liz Smailes, Director of Marketing.

Celebrate More, Feel More runs from October to December 2026, with seasonal offers and experiences available throughout the quarter. For further information and reservations, visit the official website.

Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, will welcome the renowned Château Palmer to its island shores on 25 October 2026 for an exclusive wine dinner, bringing together exceptional Bordeaux wines, thoughtfully crafted cuisine and the relaxed elegance of the Maldives.

For this special evening, Finolhu will be joined by Monsieur Charles Sichel, representing a family whose connection with Château Palmer dates back to 1938. The Sichel family remains one of the families behind the celebrated Margaux estate today, continuing a relationship spanning generations.

Set within the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, Château Palmer is recognised for a distinctive style shaped by its terroir. Its Grand Vin brings together Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Petit Verdot, producing wines characterised by finesse, elegance and an aromatic expression of flowers, fruit and spice. The estate’s wines are matured for more than 20 months before revealing their full expression.

The Château Palmer Wine Dinner at Finolhu will take guests on a journey through a curated selection of wines from the estate, each thoughtfully paired with a specially created menu from Finolhu’s culinary team. Throughout the evening, Monsieur Charles Sichel will share insights into the heritage, terroir and craftsmanship behind Château Palmer, offering guests a more personal perspective on the wines in their glasses.

The dinner forms part of Finolhu’s evolving calendar of culinary experiences, bringing distinctive producers and personalities from the international world of food and wine to Baa Atoll. From the wine selection to each accompanying dish, the evening will celebrate the relationship between cuisine and wine while retaining the relaxed, experiential character that defines dining at Finolhu.

The event follows Finolhu’s recent recognition as one of the Best Culinary Resorts at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, an accolade celebrating the creativity and dedication behind the resort’s food and beverage experiences. Gastronomy is an integral part of the Finolhu experience, with thoughtfully developed menus, international influences and distinctive settings coming together to create memorable moments around the table.

The Château Palmer Wine Dinner continues this culinary story, following a series of wine-led experiences at the resort and further strengthening Finolhu’s focus on creating dining occasions that extend beyond the plate. Most recently, the resort welcomed Sato Wines from Central Otago for a series of intimate dinners, including an evening at the iconic Crab Shack.

Sunny Chuang, Director of Food & Beverage, said: “We are delighted to welcome Monsieur Charles Sichel and Château Palmer to Finolhu for what promises to be a very special evening. Our approach to dining has always been about creating experiences that bring together exceptional flavours, inspiring stories and memorable settings. To share the heritage and wines of Château Palmer with our guests in Baa Atoll is a wonderful continuation of that journey.”

Guests attending the dinner can look forward to an intimate evening of fine wine, considered pairings and conversation, bringing the character of Margaux to the shores of the Maldives.

For more information and reservations, visit finolhu.com.