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/
Featured
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort curates timeless Valentine’s experiences with IVAR Jewellery
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has unveiled an intimate celebration of love through an exclusive collaboration with IVAR Jewellery, bringing together craftsmanship, emotion, and timeless romance in a refined island setting. Rooted in shared values of artistry and enduring beauty, the partnership invites guests to experience love as something continuous, evolving, and deeply personal.
Central to the collaboration is IVAR’s Infinity Collection, inspired by the circle as a symbol with no beginning and no end. Each piece reflects a quiet and enduring expression of love, designed to preserve fleeting moments in lasting form. The collection speaks to intimacy, connection, and the promise of forever, offering jewellery that is both meaningful and timeless.
IVAR’s creations draw on the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship, reinterpreted through a contemporary design approach. Crafted by skilled artisans using time-honoured techniques, each piece balances heritage with modern elegance. Designed for daily wear and long-term appreciation, the jewellery is intended to accompany life’s most significant milestones and be treasured across generations.
Inspired by this philosophy, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has curated a series of romantic experiences that reflect the elegance and symbolism of the Infinity Collection. At Iridium Spa, couples are invited to enjoy a Romantic Spa Escape, an immersive sensory journey infused with rose geranium and rose quartz. Each treatment is designed to restore balance, deepen connection, and create moments of calm intimacy that extend beyond the spa.
As evening approaches, romance continues with Valentine’s dining experiences set beneath open skies and framed by the island’s natural beauty. Soft lighting, refined menus, and an unhurried atmosphere encourage couples to linger, connect, and celebrate togetherness. Every detail is composed to honour shared moments and the quiet luxury of presence.
For couples preparing to begin their next chapter, IVAR’s Solitaire Collection offers a classic expression of commitment. Defined by diamonds of exceptional brilliance and clarity, each piece reflects the purity of the promise it represents. Set within the surroundings of The St. Regis Maldives, weddings become personal celebrations where elegance, emotion, and artistry come together.
Through this collaboration, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and IVAR Jewellery invite guests to experience a love that is both effortless and profound, fleeting yet enduring, creating memories inspired by the infinite symbol that lies at the heart of the partnership.
News
Fushifaru Maldives unveils festive programme for Chinese New Year 2026
Fushifaru Maldives has announced a special programme to mark Chinese New Year 2026, with a series of festive activities and dining experiences scheduled from February 15 to 17.
The resort said the celebrations are designed to offer guests a relaxed island escape focused on togetherness, wellness and shared dining. Throughout the three-day period, guests will be able to enjoy a daily Chinese Tea Corner at Fanihandhi Bar, providing a dedicated space to gather and unwind during the festivities. Selected spa treatments will also be offered with special savings during the celebration period.
The main event is planned for Lunar New Year’s Eve, when the resort will host a family BBQ dinner at Raakani Restaurant. The evening will conclude with a fire show, intended to mark the arrival of the Year of the Horse and symbolise renewal and prosperity.
In addition to the scheduled events, Fushifaru Maldives will make its signature dining experiences available throughout the holiday period. Options include private beach dinners, in-villa dining, sandbank picnics and sandbank hut experiences, offering guests a range of settings for family gatherings and couples.
The celebrations will conclude on Lunar New Year Day with family-oriented activities, including a Red Packet Hunt, followed by a Lunar New Year Hot Pot Night at Raakani Restaurant.
Fushifaru Maldives said the programme has been designed to suit both family holidays and romantic escapes, combining dining, leisure and island experiences in a festive setting. Further details on the full programme and offerings are available through the resort’s Chinese New Year brochure and online gallery.
News
‘Endless Summer’ brings wellness and family escapes to Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Known for its turquoise lagoons and impossibly soft white sands, the Maldives continues to rank high on the bucket lists of travellers in search of an ideal island escape. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites travellers to plan their next escape through its exclusive ‘Endless Summer’ offer, designed for those seeking perpetual sunshine, effortless island living, and holistic wellness.
For a limited time, guests can escape to this year-round summer paradise and recharge in the resort’s wellness sanctuary with a comprehensive package that transforms an ordinary vacation into an extraordinary wellness journey. This exclusive offer is valid for two guests and available to book from now until February 28, 2026, with a minimum four-night stay, for stays through December 20, 2026.
The Endless Summer offer features a Full Board meal plan that ensures guests are nourished throughout their stay, with daily breakfast at Island Kitchen and their choice of lunch and dinner at either Island Kitchen or Hawker. The culinary experience is further elevated with a one-time dinner at The Pearl, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant, where guests can savour expertly crafted dishes while taking in breathtaking ocean views.
Families are especially welcome with this offer, as children under 12 eat free, making it an ideal choice for memorable multi-generational getaways. Each stay also includes USD 150 in resort credit, allowing guests to personalise their experience with spa treatments, excursions, or special dining.
The wellness-focused package invites guests to embrace the resort’s complimentary recharging activities, including rejuvenating Yoga sessions, invigorating scenic running routes, and fun-filled water volleyball. Young travellers can enjoy enriching experiences at the Westin Family Kids Club, while fitness enthusiasts have 24/7 access to the state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, ensuring wellness routines remain uninterrupted.
For those drawn to the Maldives’ legendary marine life, the package includes complimentary snorkelling equipment and one-hour kayaking sessions, perfect for exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem of Baa Atoll. Guests can also enjoy the multipurpose court, offering additional opportunities for active recreation during their stay.
Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort presents a holistic wellness retreat inspired by nature and designed for shared moments of restoration. Contemporary overwater and beach villas provide generous space for couples and families, while nearby Hanifaru Bay draws marine enthusiasts each year with its seasonal gatherings of manta rays. Those seeking cultural immersion can join the resort’s weekly Liye Laajehun workshops, discovering traditional Maldivian craftsmanship as part of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy.
Whether planning a romantic escape, a family getaway, or a restorative solo retreat, the Endless Summer offer delivers an unforgettable island experience in one of the Maldives’ most pristine locations. Begin your journey at westin-maldives.com.
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