Family
JOALI Maldives reveals enchanting Easter 2025 festivities
JOALI Maldives, the first and only art-immersive island in the Maldives, has announced its 2025 Easter theme, ‘Where Wonders Soar.’ Drawing inspiration from the Painted Lady Butterfly, known for its migration to hidden corners of the world, the resort invites guests to embark on their own journey of freedom and transformation. From April 11th to 21st, 2025, JOALI Maldives will offer a series of festivities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, joyful bonding, and connection.
For this Easter celebration, JOALI Maldives will host world-renowned pastry chef and chocolatier Chef Gonzo Jimenez, star of Netflix’s ‘Bakesquad.’ Recognised for his exquisite chocolate artistry and commitment to sustainability, Chef Jimenez will conduct a week-long residency from April 16th to 23rd. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the art of chocolate making, indulge in decadent desserts inspired by the Painted Lady Butterfly, and participate in masterclasses designed for both children and adults. A limited-time dessert crafted by Chef Jimenez will add an extra layer of delight to the Easter celebrations.
Additionally, the resort will welcome back acclaimed Visiting Chef Alex Webb, known for his innovative culinary expertise and his winning dishes on BBC’s ‘MasterChef: The Professionals.’ Chef Webb will present a specially curated five-course set menu, combining bold flavours and inventive techniques for a memorable dining experience. The ‘Flavours of Joy Gourmet Dinner’ will be available from April 19th to 21st.
Beyond gastronomy, a diverse calendar of daily ‘Where Wonders Soar’ Easter activities will be offered from April 11th to 21st, featuring:
- Creativity and Art: As the Maldives’ first and only art-immersive island, JOALI integrates art throughout its offerings. Guests can participate in art classes focusing on recycling and sustainability, including ceramic crafting, hand-painting repurposed glass bottles, exploring butterfly sanctuaries through a Spring Reflections class, fluid painting, and traditional Easter egg and chocolate bunny decorating.
- Culinary Explorations: Alongside Chef Webb’s five-course menu, guests can enjoy a celebratory Easter breakfast and a Joyful Easter Feast buffet-style dinner featuring signature JOALI dishes paired with classic holiday favourites. Other specialty dining experiences throughout the week include a Good Friday breakfast, a Sundowner Reception, Sushi by the Sea, the Old World Wine Dinner, The Love of Levant six-course wine-paired dinner, the Street Food Fiesta market-style buffet, and Tastes of Soake, a five-course experience at the resort’s over-water Japanese-Peruvian restaurant.
- Land & Sea Adventures: Guests can embrace the vibrant nature of spring with a range of outdoor experiences, including a Seas of Gold sunset cruise, jet-ski adventures, eFoil electric board rides, family fitness challenges, and an Easter Football Cup match.
- Wellness: The Easter theme of rebirth, wonder, and transformation is reflected in an array of mindful wellness experiences. Guests can partake in gratitude meditation, a cacao ceremony, and various yoga classes, including aerial yoga, core activation, and Yin Yoga, all within the serene environment of JOALI BEING Cure.
For families, the Muramas Kids Club will offer engaging activities designed to foster creativity and adventure, including:
- Rainbow Doodles: Easter Decoration – A fun-filled Easter-themed doodling session where children can decorate eggs, bunnies, and seasonal symbols using vibrant colors.
- Easter Bunny Quest: Family Easter Egg Hunt – A lively egg hunt featuring the Easter Bunny, bringing excitement and laughter to the whole family.
- Floating Fun: Bubble Party – A beachside bubble celebration where children can chase and pop shimmering bubbles under the Maldivian sun.
- Galactic Explorers: Stargazing – An educational session led by an in-house astronomer, allowing children to observe stars, constellations, and distant planets.
- Movie Under the Stars – An open-air cinema experience on the beach, where families can watch a movie under the starry sky with the soothing sound of ocean waves in the background.
General Manager Shifaz Hassan expressed excitement about welcoming new and returning guests to the ‘Island of Joy’ during the Easter season. He highlighted JOALI Maldives’ unique approach to hospitality, where art, creativity, and adventure come together to offer an unparalleled experience for guests of all ages.
Family
Kuda Villingili to host family-focused Easter celebration with dining, wellness events
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced its Easter Celebration 2026 programme, inviting guests to experience a week of festivities inspired by the playful charm of Candy Land, reinterpreted through the resort’s signature approach to calm, space and understated luxury.
Located on a private island in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort features 75 villas and residences designed to offer privacy and connection to the surrounding natural environment. The Easter programme has been structured to combine dining, wellness, family activities and ocean-based experiences.
The Easter calendar includes a series of themed dining events intended to bring families and friends together throughout the week. Guests will be able to explore curated culinary journeys such as Caravan of Flavours, Pan-Asian Voyage and the Easter Grapevine Dinner, each designed to showcase diverse global cuisines in a convivial setting.
A key highlight will be the Kuda Villingili Grand Easter Gala Buffet on Easter Sunday, featuring festive dishes, live cooking stations and live band entertainment. The celebration aims to serve as the focal point of the week’s activities.
For guests seeking a more relaxed island-style experience, the Surfside Sunset BBQ at Raalhu Bar will present flame-grilled specialities and fresh seafood against the backdrop of the Chickens surf break, accompanied by sunset views and live music.
Younger guests will also have the opportunity to participate in the Little Chefs of Kuda: Easter Baking Workshop, a hands-on culinary session designed to introduce children to baking in a playful environment.
Wellbeing remains central to the resort’s Easter offering. A series of wellness experiences will be available throughout the week, including sound healing sessions, Ocean Breeze Yoga conducted over the open sea, and guided yoga flows focused on balance and mindfulness.
These activities are designed to provide space for families, couples and friends to reconnect and mark Easter as a period of renewal and shared experience.
For guests interested in marine activities, MSTS Dive & Water Sports will offer a range of Easter-themed experiences. Young guests can explore introductory diving through the Seal Team for Kids programme, while families can participate in an Easter Kayak Race across the lagoon.
A customised Big Game Fishing experience will also be available for those seeking a more private excursion on the Indian Ocean.
At Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, the Candy Land theme will be brought to life through Easter egg hunts, baking sessions, arts and crafts, themed movie nights and games. The programme has been designed to provide structured activities for children while allowing parents time to relax.
With a combination of festive dining, wellness programming and ocean-based experiences, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives’ Easter Celebration 2026 aims to offer a balanced island escape that blends seasonal celebration with tranquillity.
More information on the Candy Land Easter programme is available via the resort’s official brochure and website.
Action
Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year
Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.
Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.
For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.
Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.
Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call +960 660 1660.
Family
Adventure, wellness and play define family escapes at Ifuru Island Maldives
At Ifuru Island Maldives, family getaways are anything but ordinary. Located in the stunning Raa Atoll, this vibrant island playground invites families to switch off from everyday life and immerse themselves in the perfect combination of relaxation and fun-filled activity. From endless water sports and outdoor adventures to yoga and meditation sessions and creative art classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Coconut Kids Club & Water Park
The Coconut Kids Club and Little Explorers Club at Ifuru Island are dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for children, keeping them entertained all day long. Parents can relax on the beach, unwind by the pool or discover the resort’s incredible array of leisure activities whilst knowing their kids will be well looked after. The Coconut Kids Club features a water park with interactive splash zones and play areas, offering endless fun for children in a safe environment.
Water Sports Lineup
Beyond the water park, Ifuru Island offers an impressive range of water sports for children and adults to try during their stay. For a more thrilling experience, jet skis and sea bobs offer an exhilarating way to explore the waterways, and wakeboarding, knee boarding and water skiing also provide endless entertainment. Families can also enjoy fun aquatic experiences including banana rides and tubing and can even book a private speedboat for a more exclusive ocean adventure.

Mindfulness & Wellbeing
Families looking to combine wellness with adventure can enjoy Ifuru Island’s wonderful range of wellbeing experiences. With Pilates and Yoga on offer to help guests stretch and strengthen, and Sound Healing available for restoring balance, guests can take the time to truly unwind and reconnect with themselves. The resort also offers its signature Ice Bath & Bubbles Challenge, a cold-water therapy experience which invigorates the body and awakens the senses. There are special kids’ yoga classes available to join at the Coconut Kids Club, so guests of all ages are well catered for when it comes to wellbeing at Ifuru Island.
Outdoor Adventures
The island features lush natural scenery complete with beautiful flowers and plants and an amazing array of wildlife to spot both on land and in the water. As well as exploring Ifuru Island itself, families can also book a desert island exploration excursion or visit a local island for an authentic experience of Maldivian culture, discovering more about Ifuru Island and its neighbours. At the Coconut Kids Club, the programme features garden and jungle tours, so children can discover the resort’s breathtaking natural surroundings in a fun, educational session.
Creative Classes
To help kids tap into their creative side, the Coconut Kids Club has an incredible programme of artistic classes for them to discover. From designing bracelets and making masks and cards, to thumbprint painting, hand printing and paper roll art sessions, Ifuru Island gives children the chance to let their imaginations run wild and learn new skills to take home with them.
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