Featured
Mirihi Island unveils an enchanting festive program: barefoot luxury and unmatched experiences await
The holiday season is set to sparkle brighter than ever on Mirihi Island with the launch of its 2024 Festive Program. Spanning from December 21, 2024, to January 3, 2025, the island invites guests to embrace the season’s magic with a series of exclusive events and activities designed to create unforgettable moments for families, couples, and friends alike.
Mirihi’s festive program features a harmonious blend of adventure, relaxation, and world-class cuisine. Guests can start their day with invigorating morning yoga sessions at the Bageechaa Pavilion, followed by exhilarating excursions such as the Whale Shark Seeker Cruise on the luxurious Mirihi Thari Yacht or snorkelling with the majestic manta rays. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, sunset dolphin cruises set the stage for romance, accompanied by live Maldivian tunes.
Food enthusiasts will be delighted with the gastronomic offerings at Muraka and Dhonveli Restaurants. Highlights include the Lobster Extravaganza Dinner, Sushi & Sake nights, and unique culinary tastings like the Maldivian Tiffin Set or the exclusive Chef’s Triple Gin Seared Tomahawk Steak Dinner. Each meal promises a feast for the senses, featuring fresh local ingredients and creative flavours.
Mirihi Island’s festive theme, “Have a Barefoot Christmas and a Starry New Year,” reflects the island’s ethos of elegance blended with a casual, barefoot luxury. Throughout the season, guests can enjoy special events like the Old World Wine & Dine, Chocolate Delight afternoons at Anba Bar, and unique Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tastings on the beach.
The New Year’s Eve celebration promises to be a grand affair, starting with a cocktail party at sunset, followed by a lavish Gala Dinner at Dhonveli Restaurant. The night continues with a beach party featuring live music by the talented solo musician, Owain Pennington, and ends with early morning snacks as the first dawn of 2025 lights up the sky.
The program also offers immersive cultural experiences that allow guests to delve into the rich heritage of the Maldives. Guests can participate in a traditional Bodu Beru performance, learn the art of palm leaf origami, or join a coconut class to discover the versatility of the island’s iconic fruit. For nature enthusiasts, the Mirihi Housereef Discovery offers a guided snorkelling experience to explore one of the Maldives’ best-preserved coral reefs.
Mirihi’s 2024 Festive Program is a celebration of the island’s unique charm, designed to provide guests with a perfect balance of excitement, relaxation, and indulgence. Whether it’s exploring the underwater wonders, savouring world-class cuisine, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the island’s fine white sands, Mirihi promises a festive season like no other.
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.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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