News
Escape to naturally better festive at JA Manafaru
Set in the pristine northernmost atoll of the Maldives, JA Manafaru is set to unveil a captivating array of festive activities, running from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2025. This enchanting experience is complemented by an authentic Maldivian escape designed to enchant every guest.
Begin your Christmas Eve with the grand reveal of a magnificent gingerbread house, followed by a delightful Christmas evening cocktail reception. The evening will culminate in a spectacular Christmas Gala Dinner at Kakuni, crafted to create joyful memories with loved ones.
On Christmas Day, awaken to a sumptuous Christmas Brunch, perfect for savouring festive culinary delights. The celebrations continue with a lively Christmas Cookie Decorating session at CoolZone and the eagerly awaited arrival of Santa Claus, who will spread cheer and joy to guests of all ages. Enjoy the festive spirit further with a selection of Christmas carols.
The festive excitement extends beyond Christmas with a variety of engaging events. Highlights include a spirited Pool Party, a fun-filled Karaoke Night, and an exclusive Organic Wine & Food Pairing Dinner at The Cellar. Guests can also ring in the New Year at a vibrant New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party, hosted by the acclaimed DJ Tom Green from the United Kingdom.
This year’s festive programme features an exceptional line-up of talent. Experience the enchanting performances of Ina, a multi-skilled artist from Barcelona, marvel at the magical artistry of Yang Wei, and be thrilled by the fire performances of Iván Romero.
JA Manafaru’s offerings extend beyond exceptional dining to encompass a diverse range of family-friendly activities, fitness programmes, and engaging events, including a unique Foraging Dinner. Guests can reconnect through various wellness workshops, such as the Sugar-Free Wellness Cooking Class and Kombucha Workshop at the Veli Bar. Personalised training sessions and sports coaching are also available, featuring dedicated football and tennis camps for all ages. The festive celebrations continue into the first week of January, highlighting the Ded Moroz Arrival Cocktail and an Orthodox Christmas Gala Dinner.
The resort’s opulent accommodations blend seamlessly with the stunning natural landscape. Guests can choose from a variety of spacious villas, each featuring a private pool for the ultimate in relaxation. The resort boasts seven exceptional venues, offering diverse à la carte menus that cater to various dietary preferences, experience authentic Maldivian cuisine, as well as themed nights that celebrate vibrant global flavours. An extensive collection of over 150 wines, cocktails, and beverages enhances the dining experience, further enriched by the “Dine Around” programme, which allows guests the freedom to enjoy any restaurant on any evening, all while embracing sustainable dining through homegrown and homemade initiatives.
With over 55 complimentary activities, from exhilarating water sports to educational initiatives at the Cool Zone kids’ club, there is something for everyone. Arrive in style via a scenic 70-minute seaplane journey or a swift domestic flight followed by a speedboat ride.
Create unforgettable festive memories amid stunning natural beauty at JA Manafaru. From indulging in exquisite cuisine and participating in revitalising wellness activities to embracing the joyful spirit of the season through thoughtfully curated events, JA Manafaru offers a Truly Naturally Better Festive Season.
Family
W Maldives launches Easter celebration with kayak races and beach feast
W Maldives unveils Tropical Easter, a one-day island takeover on Sunday, 5 April 2026, that transforms the resort into a vivid playground of colour, creativity, and effortless luxury. Set within the luminous blues of the North Ari Atoll, the celebration reframes the traditional holiday through a distinctly Maldivian perspective, where powder soft beaches replace spring meadows and the rhythm of the day moves from sunlit play to starlit revelry. Crafted or a global audience of discerning travellers, the experience balances polished indulgence with the brand’s signature playful edge, inviting couples, families, and friends to celebrate Easter in a a way that feels both elevated and carefree.
The festivities begin with The Great Little Easter Quest at WET Deck, where younger guests embark on a spirited hunt for hidden treasures before channeling their imagination into an open-air painting session. Designed as a joyful expression of creativity rather than a conventional children’s activity, the experience unfolds within the resort’s social heart, surrounded by vibrant energy, turquoise views, and a sense of occasion that resonates across generations.

As the afternoon unfolds, Race The Blue shifts the tempo with a high-energy kayak challenge across the resort’s crystalline lagoon. Participants paddle through waters so clear they reveal the intricate coral gardens of the celebrated house reef below, transforming the race into a breathtaking encounter with the Maldives’ underwater wonder. The event captures the essence of Tropical Easter’s story, playful adventure grounded in the extraordinary natural beauty, offering guests a rare opportunity to engage with the lagoon as both playground and vista.
At sunset, the celebration culminates at FIRE Beach with The Easter Table, a sophisticated alfresco buffet that elevates the holiday meal into a stylish social ritual. Classic Easter flavours are reinterpreted with contemporary flair across interactive live stations and vibrant culinary displays, while music drifts through the warm evening air and the ocean glows just beyond the shoreline. The setting is at once intimate and electric barefoot yet refined, inviting guests to linger long after the final course as the sky deepens into night.

Beyond the day’s curated experiences, Tropical Easter also highlights the resort’s signature lifestyle allure, from overwater villas poised above luminous lagoons to world class snorkelling accessible directly from the beach. Whether seeking adrenaline, indulgence, or pure escapism, guests can chape the celebration entirely to their own rhythm, embodying the freedom and spontaneity that define the W experience in the Maldives.
Travellers inspired to extend the festivities can unlock the exclusive Stay 5, Pay 4, member offer by enrolling in Marriott Bonvoy, transforming a single extraordinary day into a longer island escape. The package offers a compelling reason to plan ahead and immerse fully in the season’s distinctive tropical celebration.

This April, Tropical Easter at W Maldives promises more than a holiday, it delivers a mood, a sun-drenched fusion of playfulness, style and sensory indulgence set in one of the world’s most captivating destinations. For those seeking an Easter that feels fresh, glamorous, and unforgettable, the answer lies where tradition dissolves into turquoise and every moment unfolds with a touch of irreverent luxury.
For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Culture
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi marks Eid with cultural celebrations and community spirit
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Eid Al-Fitr is an expression of Ekuverikan —a traditional Maldivian spirit of fellowship where the boundaries between host and visitor dissolve into moments of sharing. The celebrations began on 20 March with a special morning high tea, bringing together our local and international team members to share in the joy of the occasion. By breaking bread following morning prayers, the entire team transformed a religious milestone into a shared human experience where global diversity is encouraged.

While Eid Al-Fitr lunch began with a symbolic cake cutting, the island transformed into a stage for Koadi Jehun at sunset. This traditional procession features locals marching with a koadi, a decorated stake crafted from coconut palm leaves woven into the shapes of birds and fish which is then offered to the children.

During the performance, dancers in traditional attire move in synchrony with Indian pots, a nod to the ancient trade routes that shaped the archipelago. As night fell, the air pulsed with the rhythmic beat of Boduberu. These songs, with roots reaching back to East Africa, serve as a living archive of the Maldivian ancestral journey across the Indian Ocean. The Eid Al- Fitr celebration continued with a DJ party in the newly built leisure hub dedicated to the team. The festivities concluded on Saturday with beach activities, reinforcing the belief that travel is most meaningful when it connects us to both nature and community.

“Eid Al-Fitr is a day to express gratitude through shared kindness,” says Ahmed Waheed, Human Resources Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. “By bringing guests and team members together, we offer an authentic connection to the Maldivian heritage we hold dear. Ultimately, travel is about these quiet, human moments that leave you feeling as though something new has stirred within.”
Family
Madifushi Private Island opens Kokko Learning Studio for young guests
Madifushi Private Island has announced the opening of Kokko Learning Studio, an innovative kids’ club concept designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young guests. Guided by the philosophy “Crafting Curiosity Every Day,” Kokko Learning Studio introduces a fresh approach to children’s programming in the Maldives, blending education, creativity, and island discovery into meaningful experiences.

Redefining the Resort Kids Club Experience
Moving beyond the traditional resort kids’ club model, Kokko Learning Studio has been thoughtfully designed as an immersive learning environment where children can explore, experiment, and create. Rather than focusing solely on entertainment, the studio encourages young guests to build, imagine, and discover through hands-on activities inspired by the island environment.
The purpose-built space fosters curiosity and confidence through guided experiences that allow children to learn naturally while enjoying their holiday.
A Space Designed to Inspire
Kokko Learning Studio offers a creative environment where children can:
- Imagine through storytelling, art, and open-ended creative play
- Discover through hands-on science experiments, nature projects, and sensory exploration
- Grow by building confidence, independence, and teamwork through guided activities
- Express themselves through design challenges, collaborative play, and creative thinking
Each activity is intentionally designed to develop practical skills while nurturing curiosity and creativity.

Experiences Inspired by Island Life
The programs at Kokko Learning Studio connect children to the natural environment and culture of the Maldives through a diverse range of engaging activities. These include hands-on science explorations, creative arts workshops, seaweed education programs, mariculture experiences focused on ocean farming and marine ecosystem preservation, and agriculture activities that introduce sustainable island living. Children also take part in nature discovery sessions, storytelling circles, and design challenges that inspire imagination and problem-solving, while guided activities encourage collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking.
A Family-Centric Island Experience
Kokko Learning Studio complements Madifushi Private Island’s family-friendly luxury offering by providing meaningful and engaging experiences for younger guests while parents enjoy the island’s facilities.
Children participate in supervised, age-appropriate programs designed to inspire curiosity and learning, creating memorable experiences that enrich the family holiday.
“Our vision with Kokko Learning Studio was to create something truly different from the typical resort kids’ club,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “We wanted a space where children could explore, ask questions, experiment, and discover the beauty of the Maldives in a meaningful way. Kokko Learning Studio reflects our commitment to creating enriching experiences for families—where every guest, no matter their age, leaves with unforgettable memories.”
With the opening of Kokko Learning Studio, Madifushi Private Island continues to elevate the family travel experience in the Maldives, offering a destination where relaxation, discovery, and learning come together.
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