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Jawakara Islands Maldives unveils dedicated ‘Buddymoons’ activities
The concept of buddymoons, where couples extend invitations to friends to join them on their honeymoon, has experienced a notable surge in popularity. Recent data from a survey conducted by wedding hub Hitched indicates that approximately one-fifth of couples in the midst of wedding planning are open to the idea of hosting a buddymoon.
Embracing this emerging trend, Jawakara Islands Maldives, the newest addition to Crown and Champa Resorts’ portfolio, introduces a bespoke program designed for buddymoon experiences. Situated in the picturesque Lhaviyani Atoll, this luxury resort spans two interconnected islands connected by an oversea walkway. The unveiling of this innovative itinerary marks Jawakara’s commitment to providing personalized buddymoon experiences, tailored to the individual preferences of each guest.
The materialization of buddymoons may be attributed in part to broader shifts in travel trends. Research conducted by Globetrender and Cazenove+Loyd suggests a growing demand for elaborate and extended special-occasion trips, particularly for milestone celebrations. Additionally, Black Tomato reports that group travel constitutes a significant 30% of all bookings.
These findings underscore Jawakara’s position as a trailblazer in group travel to the Maldives, offering a resort experience specifically crafted for group and multigenerational adventures.
Just some of the activities that can be enjoyed on a buddymoon at Jawakara include:
- Padel Tennis: on the resort’s state-of-the-art outdoor courts
- Golf: on the largest golf course in the Maldives with 9 scenic holes
- Spa relaxation: Guests can take advantage of Ayurvedically-inspired treatments at the resort’s ocean and garden Sulha Spas that harness Asian massage techniques alongside organic products
- Diving and Snorkelling: Jawakara is home to diverse marine life such as Manta Rays, turtles, sharks, and tropical fish
- Casting Fishing: prized catches can be prepared by the resort’s chefs for a unique dining experience
- Yoga: Jawakara’s yoga retreat sits above the crystalline lagoon for a truly restorative experience.
Jawakara also offers an array of culinary delights, featuring two exquisite à la carte restaurants: Molo, specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, and UMI, presenting Asian -Pacific flavors. Additionally, Saima and other buffet restaurants provide indoor and al fresco dining options, offering all-day buffets in an open-air dining room with live cooking stations. Guests can also enjoy a selection of bars, each offering a unique ambiance and beverage selection to complement their dining experiences.
Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager of Jawakara Islands Maldives, comments: “The launch of buddymoons experiences at Jawakara is testament to the resort’s commitment to remaining in-tune with evolving travel trends. Jawakara is designed for both smaller and larger group holidays alike and is the ideal destination for buddymoons set against the luxurious backdrop of the Maldives.”
Jawakara Islands Maldives offers an adventurous escape where multigenerational travelers can come together to collaborate, indulge, and rejuvenate. Boasting 290 villas, this five-star retreat is conveniently located just 35 minutes away by seaplane from Malé International Airport. The resort comprises two distinct islands – Mabin and Dheru – interconnected by an oversea walkway, providing guests
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COMO Cocoa Island blends wellness and ocean experiences for guests
There is a moment, just after arrival at COMO Cocoa Island, when everything softens. Time loosens its grip. The horizon stretches and the only sound is the tide shifting gently beneath your villa.
At COMO Cocoa Island, experiences are not designed to impress, but to unfold. Each one invites guests to rediscover a slower rhythm—guided by water, light, and instinct.
Where the Ocean Becomes the Guide
The island’s house reef lies just steps from each villa—a living, breathing ecosystem that reveals itself gradually. Slip into the water, and the world shifts: parrotfish flicker past, reef sharks glide at a distance, and turtles move with unhurried grace.
Further afield, journeys into deeper waters bring guests face-to-face with nurse sharks in the nearby atolls—encounters that feel both grounding and quietly exhilarating.
For those who choose to dive, the surrounding sites offer dramatic topographies—caves, channels, and coral walls—each shaped by currents that have moved through these waters long before the first footprints touched the island.

Drifting Towards Stillness
Back above the surface, experiences take on a different pace.
A private sandbank emerges from the horizon—untouched, impossibly white. Here, lunch is served with nothing but the gentle rhythm of waves in the background. There are no interruptions, no schedules. Just a sense of being suspended between sea and open sky.
As the day fades, traditional dhoni boats set out across the lagoon. The light softens. The ocean reflects gold, then amber, then deep blue. Sometimes, dolphins appear—not as spectacle, but as part of the natural rhythm of the place.
Wellbeing, Without Boundaries
At COMO Cocoa Island, wellness is not confined within walls. It exists in the spaces between. Morning yoga unfolds overlooking the ocean. Breathing slows in time with the tide and sandbank meditation becomes instinctive—guided by wind, warmth, and the steady presence of the sea.
The COMO Shambhala Retreat complements this with therapies that are precise yet intuitive—designed not to transform, but to restore.

A Philosophy of Less, Perfected
“Cocoa Island has never been about doing more—it’s about feeling more, with less,”says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “What makes this island special is its restraint. We don’t try to fill every moment—we allow space for the ocean, for stillness, for genuine connection. Guests leave not because they’ve done everything, but because they’ve experienced something real.”
An Island That Stays With You
There are no grand gestures here. No overstatement.
Instead, COMO Cocoa Island offers something increasingly rare—an experience that lingers quietly, long after departure. Not defined by what you did, but by how it made you feel. Because here, in this small corner of the Maldives, the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience
Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.
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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts Earth Day experiences
In celebration of Earth Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect with nature through a carefully curated programme of experiences taking place on 22 April 2026.
Set within the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Earth Day programme reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, offering guests meaningful ways to engage with the surrounding marine and island ecosystem.
Throughout the day, guests are invited to explore sustainability through immersive experiences designed to inspire awareness and connection. A guided snorkelling experience with the resort’s Marine Biologist introduces coral restoration efforts within the Maamunagau Lagoon, offering insight into reef rehabilitation and the marine life it supports.
A dedicated coral workshop, alongside a manta ray session led by the Manta Trust team, further highlights the importance of marine conservation in the Maldives, sharing knowledge on the protection and preservation of these remarkable species.
On land, the resort offers a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour, showcasing operational practices that support island life, from renewable energy systems to waste reduction initiatives. Younger guests are engaged through an interactive bottling plant tour, encouraging environmentally conscious habits from an early age.
Wellbeing remains an integral part of the experience, with a digital detox offering at AVI Spa designed to encourage disconnection from screens and reconnection with the present moment. Complementing this, a plant-based breakfast and zero-waste cooking class highlight simple, mindful approaches to sustainable living.
As the day unfolds, guests are invited to participate in a tree planting activity within the resort’s greenhouse, contributing to the growth of native vegetation and supporting long-term biodiversity on the island.
The celebration concludes with a relaxed beachfront evening, featuring a curated BBQ dining experience complemented by live music and a traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru performance, bringing together culture, community, and connection.
Through initiatives that blend conservation, education, and wellbeing, InterContinental Maldives continues to champion responsible luxury, where every experience is thoughtfully designed with both people and planet in mind.
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