News
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island welcomes guests to Eid al-Fitr oasis of renewal, Relaxation
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, known for its contemporary all-villa retreat, has unveilled a four-day programme brimming with extraordinary activities and experiences to celebrate the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. From April 9 to 12, guests will embark on an immersive journey curated to enrich the spirit of this joyous festival.
Nestled within the serene embrace of Olhahali Island, the Talise Spa unfolds itself as a sanctuary of rejuvenation, seamlessly blending wellness rituals with the island’s natural splendour. This Eid al-Fitr, seasoned wellness practitioner Yoko Kawaguchi invites guests to discover their innate healing potential through auriculotherapy, traditional Japanese Usui Reiki, and aromatherapy. Leveraging the restorative benefits of 100% pure therapeutic essential oils, Yoko offers transformative one-on-one aroma-auriculotherapy sessions for stress relief and pain management. Guests can also participate in complimentary workshops, including traditional Japanese Usui Reiki and ear stretching yoga, hosted weekly at the resort’s ocean-view Yoga Studio.
Eid al-Fitr at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island celebrates culinary excellence and cultural immersion. Guests can savour the magic of Arabian nights with shisha and mocktails, indulge in mezze delights by the Indian Ocean, or relish the Arabian sips and sweets experience, featuring sweet and savoury treats paired with Arabic coffee and artisanal teas. On Wednesday, April 10, guests are invited to an evening that embodies the essence of Eid al-Fitr with a lively soirée, accompanied by traditional Maldivian music and dance, followed by a festival feast boasting Arabic specialties and culinary delights from around the globe.
Families can forge lasting memories through an array of captivating experiences, from island treasure hunt or thrilling excursions like private nurse shark snorkelling adventures, semi-submarine rides, or jet ski safaris. Meanwhile, younger guests will find a variety of activities awaiting them, including kids’ tennis, Eid greeting card making, moon canvas painting, and henna magic – there is something to spark joy and creativity in every child’s heart.
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island’s collection of 67 ultra-spacious beach and over-water villas provide travellers the opportunity to experience refined island living. Each villa boasts a private infinity pool, indoor and outdoor showers embracing the tropical lifestyle, and a sprawling rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the island’s breathtaking beauty.
This exclusive offer includes:
- Up to 30% off private villa of guest’s choice
- Daily breakfast with bubbly
- Complimentary shared round-trip luxury speedboat transfer for stays of 5 nights or more
- USD 100 spa credit per villa, per stay
- Gift of time: Book a 60-minute spa treatment, and receive an additional complimentary 30 minutes
Guests are invited to discover the full Eid al-Fitr celebration programme here and reserve their island retreat with the resort’s Jumeirah Escapes offer.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
News
Rishtha Shuja to share surfing journey at COMO Maalifushi’s ‘The Wave is Hers’
On September 15th 2026, COMO Maalifushi will welcome Maldivian surfer Rishtha Shuja for COMO Conversation: The Wave is Hers, an intimate conversation about her surfing journey, her connection to the sport, and the growing surf culture in the Maldives. Held in collaboration with Tropicsurf, the conversation will take place at Thila bar beach and is exclusively available to in-house guests.
Introduced to surfing by her late father, a respected Maldivian surfer, Rishtha began bodyboarding in 2019 before moving into competitive surfing in 2021. She has since competed nationally and internationally, including placing third at the 2024 Rannamaari Challenge and representing the Maldives at an Asian Games qualifying event in India. During The Wave is Hers, she will share her experiences, inspirations and aspirations with guests.

“We wanted ‘The Wave is Hers’ to embody our deep connection to this place. Surfing is a vital part of Maldivian culture, and Maalifushi provides our guests with a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in that experience. Rishtha’s story beautifully highlights this connection, along with the incredible surfing available right at our doorstep,” said Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Resorts, Maldives.
World-Class Surfing in Thaa Atoll
Located in Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi is positioned centrally between Dhaalu and Laamu Atolls, giving guests access to an exceptional range of surf spots across the region. Maalifushi offers access to 14 recognised waves, providing a variety of breaks and conditions throughout the surf season.

Running from April through October, the season brings consistent southwest swells and favourable winds, creating world-class conditions for surfers of different abilities. Farms, one of the most versatile breaks, offers forgiving conditions for beginners and intermediates before developing into a longer, more powerful right-hander for advanced surfers. Nearby Chambers and Shipwrecks can pick up larger swells, adding to the range of experiences available.
The diversity of surf spots lets guests choose the ideal breaks based on the swell, tide, wind, and their skill level. Accessible waves help beginners build confidence, while more challenging reef breaks suit experienced surfers. With warm, clear conditions and uncrowded lineups, COMO Maalifushi is an exceptional base for enjoying the Maldives’ world- class surfing.

Set in untouched Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi is a private island resort surrounded by turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and uninhabited islands. The resort offers beach and overwater villas, COMO Shambhala wellness, dining, and a range of experiences, including surfing, freediving, flyfishing and marine exploration. Its location provides access to some of the Maldives’ most rewarding surf breaks and an immersive way to experience the destination’s natural beauty and ocean culture.
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