News
Spotlight on Maldives with 2024 Surfing Legends Series at Kandooma
Together with partners, The Perfect Wave, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is delighted to announce the return of the Surfing Legends Series to the private island paradise. Attracting former World Champions Barton Lynch and Pam Burridge, and ex-pro Ace Buchan, who will share their stories, secrets and coaching tips in their exclusive surfing programmes.
Take advantage of the knowledge on offer and polish up your surfing skills with a series of special Surf schools to choose from during the surfing season in the Maldives.
“Many of the surfers who join us for the Surfing Legends Series have non-surfing friends and family, so we can ensure they are well looked after too. The island Kandooma has so much to offer in terms of great food, activities, relaxation, watersports and even a Spa,” said Ben Horvath, Business Development & Marketing Manager, The Perfect Wave.
“Surf, hang out and learn from some of the greatest surfers of all time. There’s no better place to do it than the home of Kandooma Right in the Maldives.”
Take your pick of your favourite Surfing Legend from a choice of three greats this season.
Aussie Barton Lynch whose exemplary career included 17 World Championship victories to become one of the most successful professional surfers of all time. He is now one of the most sought after coaches, an expert commentator and loves to surf more than anything. Barton will host a seven night camp 27 April to 4 May, 2024 starting from US$4,250 per person (based on twin share 1 surfer/1 non-surfer occupancy) staying in a Beach Villa. Barton will be hosting exclusive dhoni (Maldivian boat) trips to nearby waves including lefts such as Tucky Joes and fun rights like Quarters and Riptides. At Kandooma-fushi, your private island home for the week, your villa is positioned just steps away from the beach and a private world-class right hand point break wave called Kandooma Right.
The Barton Lynch Surf Week package includes:
- Accommodation in a Beach Villa (twin share basis one surfer/one non-surfer)
- Shared speedboat transfers airport-Resort-airport
- Daily Buffet Breakfast at Kandooma Cafe
- Surfer Pass
- Dhoni transfers to nearby waves
- Food & Beverage package, from US$65 per person per night (Optional extra)
1990 World Surfing Champion Pam Burridge and her husband the legendary surfboard shaper Mark Rabbidge will host a week of coaching at Kandooma. Offering tips in and out of the water over seven fun-filled days 9 – 16 June 2024, Pam and Mark’s programme is designed to help you improve your surfing in the user-friendly breaks on the doorstep to Kandooma Maldives, but do note that this one is not for absolute beginners or those learning to surf!
The Pam Burridge Surf Week packages start from US$2,962 per person (based on two surfers sharing a room) and includes:
- Accommodation in a Beach Villa (twin share basis) (note other room types are available)
- 6 days coaching from Pam and Mark
- 7 day Surfer Pass
- Shared speedboat transfers airport-Resort-airport
- Daily Buffet Breakfast at Kandooma Cafe
Ace Buchan hails from the Australian Central Coast where he grew up surfing. Ace invites you to join him and his family for a week at Kandooma, surfing the perfect waves 31 May – 10 June, 2024. This week of surfing fun is tailored to surfing families but everyone is welcome, whether you are a passionate everyday surfer looking to experience the rippable walls of Kandooma Right, a pre-teen grom or gromette perhaps going for your first overseas surf trip with your family, or a Mum or Dad looking to improve your skills and share some waves with your kids. Ace Buchan Surf Week packages are yet to be released with options for Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses and the 2-bedroom Family Beach House and will include access to nearby breaks via a dedicated Dhoni (boat). Add to that surf lessons, photo and video packages, movie nights with all the family and opportunities to learn more about Maldivian culture.
Surfers can expect some great action in the water. Kandooma Right breaks just a stone’s throw away from the Resort. It’s a fast breaking right with two take-off spots and a great barrel. This wave is exclusively for Kandooma Resort Maldives guests with Surfer Passes. Nearby waves include: Tucky Joes / Boatyards which is a fickle, but freight-train of a left hander that provides a long, perfect but intense ride. Riptides is a right hander breaking for 150 metres on a reef in the middle of a channel. Sometimes there are very strong currents, evident in the naming of this beauty so watch the conditions! It’s a great wave for long- and short-boarders as well as low intermediate surfers. Quarters is a short boat trip away, this wave has two sections. The outside is fat, slow and meandering, ideal for long-boarders and even beginners, while the inside is a really terrific, fast little right hander. On a good day it delivers perfect barrels.
Receive world class coaching tips and when you’re not riding a wave, eat and drink like a king. Chill out, take it easy and bask in the sun or experience one of the many activities at Kandooma Maldives. And when those tired muscles beg for respite, it’s good to know the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala has a massage treatment designed especially for surfers.
For surfers the 2024 Surf Legend Series at Kandooma is one not to be missed. Book early to avoid disappointment, as numbers are strictly limited to ensure the best possible experience for participants.
For information about the Surfing Legends Series, visit https://www.perfectwavetravel.com/surf-trips/legends/
News
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef opens new beach club and Italian restaurant
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues its evolution with the introduction of YAYA Beach Club and Tuscany, two distinctive additions to the resort’s dining and lifestyle experiences. Following the unveiling of its reimagined villas earlier this year, the latest developments bring a fresh dimension to island life, combining relaxed beachside gatherings, music, creative cocktails and the warmth of Italian hospitality.
The launch coincided with the resort’s 28th anniversary celebrations, held from 28 to 30 October under the theme A New Rhythm of the Reef. The three-day programme brought together international DJs, live entertainment, wellness experiences and a special culinary residency by Chef Fatjon Goga, marking another milestone for the first resort in the Sun Siyam portfolio, which opened in 1998.
YAYA Beach Club: A New Signature Experience
At the heart of this new chapter is YAYA Beach Club, the first introduction of this new Sun Siyam Signature Experience across the resort collection.
Designed as a relaxed social space where food, drinks, music and playful moments come together, YAYA brings fresh energy to the island while remaining true to the intimate character of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the group’s Privé Collection.

The experience unfolds naturally throughout the day, beginning with Club Café, where speciality coffee and music set a relaxed atmosphere. As the day progresses, Smoothies & Spritzes offers refreshing drinks and cocktails, complemented by casual beachside dining, sharing plates, island-inspired games and informal tasting experiences.
What sets YAYA apart is its attention to the smaller moments of hospitality. From chilled towels and fresh coconuts to spontaneous drinks and thoughtful surprises from the team, the concept is designed to create memorable experiences that feel natural and personal rather than programmed.

As the afternoon moves towards sunset, music and cocktails introduce a new rhythm through YAYA’s signature sunset ritual. The concept also includes special monthly Full Moon Soirées, bringing together candlelight, music, sharing plates and drinks beneath the Maldivian night sky.
Open daily from 10:30 to 19:00, YAYA Beach Club welcomes guests of all ages until 17:00, offering a relaxed beachfront setting for lunch, speciality coffee and refreshing drinks. From 17:00 to 19:00, the atmosphere transitions to an adults-only experience for drinks, music and sunset moments. Food service is for lunch only.

As the first YAYA Beach Club in the Sun Siyam portfolio, the concept marks the beginning of a new Signature Experience designed to become a recognisable part of the group’s hospitality offering.
Tuscany: The Warmth of Italian Dining by the Ocean
Complementing the relaxed energy of YAYA Beach Club, Tuscany introduces a different dining experience to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, inspired by the warmth, generosity and simplicity of Italian cuisine.
Tuscany will welcome guests for dinner daily from 18:30 to 21:30, offering an inviting destination for leisurely evenings where quality ingredients, familiar Italian flavours and a welcoming atmosphere take centre stage.

Rather than focusing on formal dining, Tuscany celebrates the pleasure of sharing good food and conversation. From freshly prepared pasta and Italian favourites to carefully selected ingredients and comforting Mediterranean flavours, the restaurant brings the spirit of Italian hospitality to the shores of the Maldives.
The concept is centred on relaxed, unhurried dining, offering guests an opportunity to enjoy an intimate evening by the ocean. Guests staying at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef may enjoy one dining experience at Tuscany during their stay, while those wishing to return receive a 50% discount on food for subsequent visits.

The introduction of Tuscany was celebrated during the resort’s 28th anniversary programme with a special culinary residency by Chef Fatjon Goga, whose approach to contemporary Italian and Mediterranean cuisine reflects the restaurant’s inspiration. Born in Albania and shaped by his culinary career in Italy, Chef Goga has worked in acclaimed kitchens including Don Alfonso and Arnolfo. Since 2022, he has led Osteria Grande in Arezzo’s historic Piazza Grande, where Tuscan traditions, seasonal ingredients and refined techniques come together.
During the anniversary celebrations, guests were introduced to his culinary philosophy through a special dining programme, including a signature dinner, a hands-on pasta masterclass and an intimate culinary experience highlighting the stories and inspirations behind his cooking.

A New Chapter for Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Together, YAYA Beach Club and Tuscany introduce two complementary experiences to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. While YAYA brings a playful, social atmosphere to the island’s daytime offering, Tuscany invites guests to slow down and enjoy the pleasures of Italian dining in the evening.
The new venues follow the resort’s recent villa enhancements and form part of its continued evolution, bringing fresh experiences to the island while preserving the personalised service, natural surroundings and intimate atmosphere that have defined Vilu Reef since its opening in 1998.
As the first resort in the Sun Siyam portfolio, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to build on its heritage, combining the warmth of Maldivian hospitality with new experiences that invite guests to discover a different rhythm of island life.

For more information, visit the Sun Siyam Vilu Reef website.
News
Cinnamon Maldives offers up to 80% off stays in 11.11 booking promotion
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has announced its 11.11 offer, available only to guests who book direct. Guests who book by 14th November 2026 receive up to 80% off the rate and choose three of four book direct benefits at their chosen resort, with stays valid until 30th November 2027. Stays of three nights or more also come with resort credits.
The offer spans all four of its Maldives resorts, each with its own character and its own set of book direct benefits. Whether guests are planning a holiday with children, a quiet escape for two, or a week spent mostly underwater, there is an island and a combination of experiences to match. From beach dinners to dolphin watching, guests pick the three benefits that suit their holiday best, so no two stays need look the same.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Just 20 minutes from Malé in the North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is a lively tropical island where days move easily between the beach, the lagoon, and the reef. It is an easy choice for holidays with little ones, with short transfers and plenty to keep every age busy. Book direct guests can choose any three of a dinner set up on the sand under the stars, a spa treatment to unwind after a day in the sun, a visit to a nearby local island to see everyday Maldivian life up close, and a swim and snorkel session to meet the reef and its residents.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
In the Vaavu Atoll, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is made for slowing down. Warm white sand, clear water, and the steady sound of the waves set the pace, making it a natural fit for couples and travellers looking for a quieter stay. Book direct guests can choose any three of a beach dinner for two by the water, a spa treatment designed to help them switch off completely, a day of island hopping across the atoll, and a dolphin watching trip on the open sea.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
An adults only island in the Meemu Atoll, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is where romance moves to the rhythm of the waves. With water villas set over the lagoon and long, unhurried days, it is a favourite for honeymoons, anniversaries, and couples who simply want time together. Book direct guests can choose any three of a sunset fishing trip as the sky turns gold, a day of island hopping, a bottle of bubbly to toast the occasion, and a kayaking experience across the calm lagoon.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
In the North Ari Atoll, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon opens up a new world underwater. Its house reef sits just steps from the shore, so divers and snorkellers can slip into the water from the beach and be among the reef life within minutes, any time of day. Book direct guests can choose any three of a beach dinner after a day in the ocean, a Balinese massage to ease tired muscles, a sunset fishing trip, and a dolphin safari to spot pods in the wild.

For bookings and enquiries, visit cinnamonhotels.com and the offer is available only on direct bookings made by 14th November 2026.
News
Bandos Maldives strengthens food safety and sustainability standards with dual recognition
Bandos Maldives continues to strengthen its commitment to responsible hospitality, quality and excellence with Food Safety Management System complaint with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards, and the achievement of its Green Globe Certification.
These accomplishments reflect the resort’s ongoing dedication to providing exceptional guest experiences while upholding high standards of food safety, environmental responsibility and sustainable operations.

The HACCP recognition reflects the resort’s dedication to maintaining high food safety and quality standards across its food and beverage operations, ensuring guests enjoy safe and quality dining experiences. It also recognises the collective efforts of the culinary, food and beverage, and stewarding teams in upholding these standards.
Complementing this commitment to quality, the resort’s Green Globe recertification marks another important milestone in its sustainability journey. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, Bandos Maldives recognises its responsibility to protect its island environment and the marine ecosystem that makes the destination so unique. With 1,330 solar panels generating 744.8 kWp of electricity and meeting approximately 30% of daily energy requirements, Bandos Maldives continues to invest in more sustainable operations. Through its desalination plants and refillable glass bottle initiative, the resort has also eliminated more than 250,000 single-use plastic water bottles annually. Marine conservation also remains another important focus.

Commenting on these achievements, General Manager Ismail Rasheed said: “We are delighted to achieve these important milestones, which reflect our team’s dedication to quality, guest wellbeing and environmental sustainability. While we are proud of our progress, we recognise that responsible hospitality is an ongoing journey. We remain committed to continuously improving our practices and protecting our island environment for future generations.”
Guided by its Island of Hospitality brand promise, Bandos Maldives believes that exceptional guest experiences go beyond warm service and comfortable accommodation. They also mean ensuring guest safety, maintaining quality and protecting the natural beauty of the island and its surrounding marine environment.
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