Angsana Velavaru invites guests to welcome the Lunar New Year with a vibrant two-day celebration inspired by togetherness, prosperity and new beginnings. Taking place from 16 to 17 February, the programme marks the Year of the Horse with cultural rituals, festive dining, ocean adventures and family-friendly experiences across the island.

Set within a private lagoon in the South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru provides a setting where tradition blends naturally with island life. The Lunar New Year programme is designed to balance meaningful cultural moments with relaxed celebration, encouraging guests of all ages to connect, explore and share in the spirit of renewal.

Festivities unfold throughout the island with a diverse line-up of experiences. Mornings begin with water aerobics at Kuredhi Pool Bar and gentle interactions with the island’s resident lovebirds, while afternoons invite creativity through dumpling-making workshops, kite flying along the shore and friendly beach volleyball matches. Ocean enthusiasts can enjoy snorkelling cruises, citizen-science reef explorations and discover scuba diving sessions, offering a closer look at the resort’s marine environment.

Evenings are dedicated to indulgence and celebration. Guests can take part in curated cocktail experiences, including tropical arrack, rum and mojito mixology, before gathering for festive dining that reflects abundance and togetherness. Highlights include a Lunar New Year beach BBQ with premium selections, a celebratory banquet featuring festive flavours, and a gala evening at Kuredhi Pool Bar with cultural performances, live entertainment and DJ sets continuing late into the night.

Families play a central role in the celebrations, with young guests welcomed at the Ranger’s Club for a dedicated children’s programme. Activities include festive crafts, nature walks, scavenger hunts and hands-on experiences inspired by Lunar New Year traditions, allowing children to engage with the celebrations while families enjoy the programme at their own pace.

Throughout the two days, the symbolism of the Year of the Horse—associated with vitality, movement and positive momentum—is reflected across the island. From shared meals and ocean adventures to quieter moments watching kites drift across the sky, the celebrations are designed to honour new beginnings in a festive yet effortless way.

This Lunar New Year, Angsana Velavaru invites guests to welcome the year ahead surrounded by natural beauty, cultural richness and warm island hospitality.

Dusit Thani Maldives on Mudhdhoo Island in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll has introduced padel at the resort, marking the arrival of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports as part of a broader refresh designed to enhance active, experience-led island stays.

The new padel court sits alongside the luxury resort’s tennis facilities and has been designed for players of all levels, from first-time guests curious to try the sport to experienced enthusiasts. Bookable via the resort app or with the support of the recreation team and personal butlers, the court is supported by on-island equipment rental, as well as chargeable coaching and introductory sessions for guests wishing to develop their skills.

Complementing the introduction of padel, Dusit Thani Maldives has also refreshed its two tennis courts, installing new synthetic turf playing surfaces and enhancing the surrounding areas with improved seating and shaded spaces for greater comfort in the island climate. Fully floodlit, the courts allow guests to play into the evening.

Beyond its active leisure facilities, the resort has also recently completed a comprehensive refresh of its Overwater Pool Villas, Overwater Pavilions, and Residences, with a phased upgrade of all Beach Villas currently underway and scheduled for completion across 2026 and 2027. Enhancements include updated furniture, refreshed bathrooms, and reimagined outdoor deck spaces. The design evolution draws on contemporary island design, subtle Thai influences, and sustainability principles to create a relaxed yet refined atmosphere across accommodation categories.

These updates form part of a wider approach to guest experience at Dusit Thani Maldives, which also includes an upgraded games room with billiards and table tennis; a wide range of water sports; snorkelling on the island’s vibrant house reef; and holistic wellness programmes at Devarana Wellness.

Commenting on the developments, Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager of Dusit Thani Maldives and dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, said, “From introducing padel and refreshing our tennis facilities to upgrading our villas, each enhancement has been carefully considered to support more active stays while maintaining comfort, design quality, and a strong connection to the island environment. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience these updates during their stay.”

This February, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru present a month shaped by sustainability and festive celebration in the Maldives.

Rooted in Banyan Group’s ethos of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People, the month reflects how island life, heritage and hospitality are deeply connected.

Zero-Waste Week | 1–7 February

Zero-Waste Week is not a standalone initiative, but a part of the environmental stewardship that Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has practised since its opening in 1995.

The week begins with a Mangrove Awareness Talk and a community clean-up at Huraa Island in recognition of World Wetlands Day, emphasising the importance of the interrelationship between wetlands, reefs and island ecosystems. This marks the start of a series of guest, local community and associate activities designed to make sustainability visible, practical and approachable.

Key activities throughout the week include:

• Creative workshops using recycled materials led by our talented resident artist Abdulla, transforming waste into purposeful art
• A ‘Save the Reef’ snorkelling activity to remove marine debris, followed by a zero-waste picnic on a local sandbank
• A DIY natural body scrub session at Sangu Garden, connecting wellbeing with nature and mindful resource use
• Tie-dye workshops at Naiboli Bar, Banyan Tree and Nest, Dhawa in collaboration with local Craft House, where old garments are repurposed through craft and colouring.

Chinese New Year Celebration | 17 February

On 17 February, Sangu Garden at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru hosts a Chinese New Year Festive Dinner, where Chinese symbolic dishes and traditional flavours come together in a beachfront setting.

From live noodle soup stations and seafood displays to Peking duck, dim sum and festive desserts, the evening celebrates prosperity, reunion and togetherness in a distinctly Maldivian night by the ocean.

Ramadan Traditions Honouring Local Culture | 18 February – 19 March

For Ramadan, both resorts observe this important time in the Maldives with dining experiences that respect the sacred rhythm of Iftar and the spirit of gathering after sunset.

At Dhawa Ihuru, International Iftar Buffet Nights take place throughout Ramadan at Riveli Restaurant, offering rotating global cuisines that honour the sacred rhythm of Iftar.

On Eid Al Fitr celebration night, families and friends may join the celebration at Riveli restaurant, Dhawa Ihuru or at Sangu Garden, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, for a special festive night of reflection and togetherness.

These evenings reflect the Maldives’ sense of place – where warm hospitality and cultural respect come together.