News
Milaidhoo’s festive season: Crafting unforgettable island memories
This festive season, the story of celebration unfolds on the soft shores of Milaidhoo, a natural island hideaway nestled in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. From December 22nd, 2025, to January 6th, 2026, Milaidhoo extends a warm invitation to guests to step into its Season of Timeless Festive Stories, a thoughtfully curated programme of intimate experiences, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable island moments.
At Milaidhoo, festive magic is found in the gentle rhythm of the waves, the glow of candlelight on the sand, and the joy of sharing meaningful time with loved ones in one of the world’s most exquisite destinations. This is not merely a holiday; it’s a celebration of life’s most precious stories, written especially for each guest.
Adventure That Awakens the Soul
Guests can float into wonder as they dive into Milaidhoo’s crystalline waters. Sunrise or sunset cruises offer champagne as dolphins may dance nearby. Opportunities abound to snorkel Hanifaru Bay alongside graceful manta rays or try traditional Maldivian fishing, just as locals have for generations. This season, the ocean is woven into the celebrations, from The Christmas Cruise to A Farewell to 2025, ensuring every voyage is a memory waiting to be made. For those craving thrills, big game fishing awaits. Gentle discovery, bioluminescent night snorkelling, and paddleboarding by moonlight promise awe-inspiring moments.
Feasting with Heart and Flavour
At Milaidhoo, food is an experience to savour, and this festive season presents a culinary journey like no other. Guests can step into the Shoreline Fish Bazaar, where the catch of the day meets flames and flavour, or sample fresh-picked greens at the interactive Salad Project. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are celebrated under starry skies with elegant beachfront gala dinners, where every dish is a tribute to taste and togetherness. Pop-ups like Smoked & Whisky and Taste of Tribes: Potjiekos & Braai bring delightful surprises, while a Lobster & Champagne Feast sets the tone for indulgence. The season concludes with an Orthodox Christmas buffet of oysters and champagne, a fitting finale to a season of epicurean delight.
Wellbeing, Naturally Inspired
Guests can reconnect with themselves through wellness rituals as tranquil as the island breeze. Each day can begin with sunrise yoga on a sandbank, surrendering to stillness in Cocoon Meditation, or floating into peace with aqua yoga in the turquoise lagoon. Beyond the body, the spirit can be nourished by exploring Maldivian skincare secrets, enjoying beach Zumba, or simply walking mindfully along the shore. Friendly beach volleyball or island Olympics with the Milaidhoo Family offer opportunities for playful engagement. As evening falls, live music drifts across the waves as stars scatter above.
Celebrate Under the Stars
On New Year’s Eve, guests can begin their day with a champagne Sunrise Cruise and end it in style at a barefoot cocktail soirée. Then, they can gather for a spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Ocean restaurant before counting down to 2026 with fireworks, live music, and their toes in the sand. As the new year dawns, guests can ease into it with a Recovery Brunch, a soulful Tibetan Singing Bowl session, and the symbolic New Year, New Reef activity, a promise for the year ahead.
The Story Continues
Festivities continue into January with joyful moments like a Nature Walk & Symbolic Tree Planting, more culinary adventures with the Taste of Tribes pop-up, and evenings beneath the stars at The Floating Cinema on Saima. This season at Milaidhoo is not just a series of events; it’s an immersive journey of reconnection, renewal, and celebration.
“We’re incredibly excited to present our Season of Timeless Festive Stories at Milaidhoo,” says Paul van Frank, Milaidhoo’s general manager. “Our team has created a program that blends the magic of the festive season with the beauty and authentic charm of the Maldives. We believe these bespoke experiences will create profound and joyful memories for our guests, allowing them to truly connect with their loved ones and the soul of this extraordinary destination.”
To reserve your place in paradise, please visit: Festive Programme or mail the resort at welcome@milaidhoo.com.
Awards
Villa Nautica named among Maldives’ best resort pools by Travel + Leisure
Villa Nautica has once again been recognised by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, with its signature infinity pool named among the best resort pools in the Maldives. The recognition marks four consecutive years of Travel + Leisure honours for the resort’s pool experience, following its top spot win as Best Resort Pool in the Maldives in 2025.
Set along the edge of the island in North Malé Atoll, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-metre infinity pool has become one of the resort’s defining spaces. Designed not simply as a place to swim, but as a social and restorative heart of the island, the pool brings together open ocean views, relaxed lounging, shaded corners and a seamless connection to the sea beyond.
The space was curated with a sense of easy island living in mind. Mornings begin with slow swims and coffee from nearby Press & Pot, afternoons unfold between sun loungers and poolside refreshments, and by sunset, the water mirrors the changing sky. It is a setting made for both quiet pause and shared holiday moments.
What makes the pool stand out is its balance of scale and atmosphere. Expansive without feeling overwhelming, elegant without feeling formal, it captures Villa Nautica’s approach to contemporary Maldivian hospitality: stylish, effortless and deeply connected to its surroundings.
Located just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Villa Nautica continues to appeal to travellers looking for a resort experience that feels both accessible and elevated. The latest recognition from Travel + Leisure further cements the resort’s infinity pool as one of the Maldives’ most memorable places to swim, gather and linger by the water.
Cooking
A culinary journey across the globe at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Set within the tranquil waters of North Malé Atoll, just a short luxury speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives presents a refined expression of contemporary Maldivian living. Elegant overwater and beachfront villas and residences are thoughtfully designed with modern amenities, offering privacy, comfort, and a seamless connection to the island’s breathtaking natural surroundings.

At the heart of the resort lies a curated culinary world defined by six distinctive restaurants and four chic bars, each elevating dining into an immersive journey of flavour, atmosphere, and discovery. From interactive live cooking stations and theatrical Teppanyaki and tandoor experiences at The Gallery, to the refined Mediterranean character of Bluefin, every venue offers a distinct interpretation of global and island-inspired cuisine. Suan Bua reimagines authentic Thai flavours through a contemporary lens, while Acqua brings the warmth of Italian coastal dining to the Maldives. The Sailhouse offers relaxed beachfront dining in an open-air setting, and The Club provides a refined space for breakfast, sundowners, and canapés, defined by curated culinary moments and elevated service.

Complementing these are four distinctive bars: Coco Drift, a swim-up bar with views of the horizon; Sunset Social, featuring catamaran-style seating where golden-hour views meet signature cocktails; Rum Bar, a relaxed tropical escape with infused spirits and island-inspired cocktails; and Dolphin Bar, a laid-back swim-up venue for light refreshments and all-day leisure.

Beyond dining, the resort offers a holistic lifestyle experience anchored by three distinctive wellness concepts: SPA Cenvaree Retreat and SPA Cenvaree, delivering restorative wellbeing journeys through signature Thai-inspired therapies rooted in traditional healing philosophies; and Candy Spa, a vibrant concept designed for younger guests. Multiple kids’ clubs and E-Zones create engaging environments for children and teens, while fully equipped fitness centres support active wellbeing throughout the stay. A curated selection of water sports and marine adventures further enriches the experience, inviting guests to explore the lagoon through movement, discovery, and connection with nature.
Together, these elements define a seamless and elevated island experience where refined living, culinary artistry, wellness, and recreation come together in harmony, positioning Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives as a distinctive expression of modern Maldivian hospitality.
Family
Why doing nothing is optional at Siyam World this summer
Think summer in the Maldives is all about sipping cocktails and doing absolutely nothing? You could. But at Siyam World Maldives, you could also swim with sharks, race electric go-karts, become a certified mermaid, train with football legends and explore one of the Maldives’ newest shipwrecks, all before deciding what is for dinner. Because normal island holidays are not really our thing. Here are 10 reasons why Siyam World is turning up the fun this summer.
Dive into the Maldives’ Newest Obsession
Some resorts have house reefs. Siyam World has a shipwreck. The newest underwater attraction in Noonu Atoll is a 66 metre former Maldivian tuna freighter that now rests beneath the surface, ready to be explored by divers and marine life alike. Today it is an exciting new wreck dive. Tomorrow it will become a thriving artificial reef. Not bad for a retired fishing boat.

Train with Football Legends
This August, young football fans can swap the local pitch for paradise as former Premier League stars Andrew Johnson and Wayne Routledge arrive at Siyam World for two exclusive football camps. Not every summer holiday comes with professional coaching and ocean views. 10th – 14th AUGUST 2026 – Andrew Johnson / 15th – 19th AUGUST 2026 – Wayne Routledge. For kids between the ages of 5-12 years. More info here.

Swim with Sharks. Brag About It Later.
Swimming with sharks sounds terrifying. Until you realise these are gentle nurse sharks and curious sea turtles gliding through crystal clear waters. A three-hour snorkelling trip suddenly becomes one of those holiday stories you will tell for years.

The Floor Is Lava. The Water Park Is Not.
The Maldives’ biggest floating water park is basically an invitation to unleash your inner child. Climb it. Jump off it. Race your friends. Repeat.

Become a Mermaid. Seriously.
Some people come home from holiday with a tan. Others leave Siyam World with a mermaid certificate. This Try Mermaid Pool Program includes one session in the pool, all the equipment you’ll need as well as a certificate of completion. We know which one sounds more fun.
Golf, But Make It Shipwrecked.
Take on the Shipwrecked golf challenge, compete with friends and maybe even win resort credit while you are at it. Losing gracefully is optional.
Saddle Up, Maldives Style
Horse riding is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Maldives. That is exactly why we love it.

Dinner Underground, Island Style
Hidden beneath the island, Barrique is home to exceptional wines, curated menus and one of the most unique dining experiences in the Maldives. Choose between multiple course gourmet tasting menus that are served surrounded by hundreds of world-renowned vintages, where our sommelier is ready to take you through a wine journey that you will never forget. Because even adventure seekers need a sophisticated evening now and then.

Swap Flip-Flops for Pole Position
Who says paradise cannot come with a little friendly competition? Siyam World’s electric go-karts bring speed, excitement and plenty of laughs to the island, proving once again that this is a destination designed for those who like their holidays with a side of adventure.

Take on the Delmare Golf Challenge
Add a competitive twist to your stay with Siyam World’s golf challenge at Shipwrecked. Guests have the chance to win resort credit while enjoying a fun and social activity set against the backdrop of the ocean. Fun fact, the gold balls are fish food.
To make the most of summer, Siyam World is offering an exclusive limited-time offer with up to 45% off best available rates, complemented by added benefits including complimentary shared seaplane transfers on selected stays, USD 150 resort credit per bedroom, and a one-time floating breakfast for longer stays. Guests can enjoy the full Premium 24-hour WOW! all-inclusive experience, with up to two children under 12 staying and dining complimentary. The offer is available for bookings until 31 August 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027. Then tell us again that the Maldives is only for doing nothing.
To find out more, visit the resort’s website or follow @siyamworld on social channels.
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