News
Believe in magic this festive season at COMO Maldives

Believe in magic this festive season at COMO Hotels and Resorts’ luxury lifestyle resorts in the Maldives. COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi invites you to immerse yourselves in a world of enchantment with a captivating line- up of activities and culinary delights that promise to make your holiday truly magical with programmes and celebrations.
COMO Cocoa Island
The festivities kicks off at COMO Cocoa Island with the opening of The Konro Grill and Bar , a special pop-up restaurant serving delectable yakitori and an exquisite sake bar where flavours of Japan will meet the Maldives in this remarkable beachside dining experience. Available from December 20th 2023 to April 10th 2024, delicious, fresh vegetables, meats and seafood skewers will be grilled in front of you on a traditional Konro grill on Faru Beach.
Certified physiotherapist Kim Kosters returns to COMO Cocoa Island for a second residency this year at COMO Shambhala to share with guests the art of living pain free. Through a combination of physiotherapy, massage and movement, Kosters will be offering treatments to aid in releasing muscle tension and help to reduce chronic pain from December 15th 2023 to February 15th 2024.
Prepare for an extraordinary festive season at COMO Cocoa Island, boasting a magical lineup of activities and sumptuous feasts to welcome the New Year. Younger guests will delight in a festive schedule filled with engaging games, crafts, and activities.
Book a stay for a minimum of five nights and be rewarded with two extra nights for your relaxing getaway. This offer also includes a complimentary return speedboat transfer to and from Malé. A resort credit of US$300 will be gifted for stays between December 20th 2023 and January 8th 2024.
COMO Maalifushi
A thoughtfully curated program of seasonal feasts and family activities awaits guests of all ages at COMO Maalifushi, adding a touch of enchantment to this season of celebration. Cherish moments with family and friends, each one infused with the magic of the season.
Make time for family and friends at this special time of year, each moment filled with the magic of the season. Guests can participate in a mesmerising whaleshark night snorkelling experience and observe these gentle giants when migrate through the warm Maldivian waters of Thaa Atoll from November to April. Guests can also set sail on champagne cruises on our luxury yacht or escape to Lavadhoo, our private island for castaway island picnics.
Younger guests will find entertainment and inspiration at Play by COMO, a space designed to encourage purposeful and creative child-directed play for children aged four to 12. A schedule of activities will ignite their creativity and infuse fun and magic into the festive season.
Stimulate healing with Traditional Chinese healing with TCM specialist David Mioduski at COMO Shambhala from November 15th 2023 to January 15th 2024. Offering acupuncture, Chinese Medical Massage or Tui Na, cupping therapy and Traditional Martial Arts Exercises such as Tai Qi Chuan and Qi Gong, guests can seek a transformative wellness experience with Mioduski.
Book a stay for a minimum of five nights and be rewarded with two extra nights for your relaxing getaway. This offer also includes a complimentary return seaplane transfer to and from Malé. A resort credit of US$300 will be gifted for stays between December 20th 2023 and January 8th 2024.
For more information on COMO Hotels and Resorts or to book the next stay, please visit https://www.comohotels.com/maldives/como-maalifushi and https://www.comohotels.com/maldives/como-cocoa-island
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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