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Madifushi Private Island celebrates Maldivian heritage on World Coconut Day

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Madifushi Private Island marked World Coconut Day 2026 with an extensive programme of cultural, culinary and community-focused activities celebrating the coconut palm and its enduring significance to Maldivian life. The resort brought together guests, its Rays team and neighbouring island communities for a celebration honouring one of the Maldives’ most treasured natural resources.

The celebrations began with an energetic coconut-gathering and dehusking challenge for the resort’s Rays team. Dressed in traditional Maldivian attire, participants ventured into the island’s natural surroundings to collect coconuts before racing to dehusk them within a set time. The teams embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and good humour, creating a lively start to the occasion.

Throughout the day, guests were treated to coconut delicacies and thoughtfully curated coconut-themed touchpoints across the resort. Specialised buffets at the island’s food and beverage outlets featured an assortment of coconut-inspired dishes alongside traditional Maldivian favourites, allowing guests to experience the remarkable versatility of the ingredient.

The celebrations continued into the evening with an immersive, hands-on cultural event showcasing the many traditional uses of the coconut and its palm. Guests were invited to personally experience these practices by trying their hand at coconut dehusking and coir-rope making, tasting coconut toddy and expressing their creativity through coconut painting. Each guest received a certificate of participation in recognition of their involvement and as a meaningful keepsake of their authentic Maldivian cultural experience.

A dedicated coconut mixology pop-up added a contemporary twist to the programme, with refreshing creations highlighting the tropical flavours of the coconut. The occasion also featured the soft launch of Madifushi Private Island’s own Heal\Me Coconut Oil, introducing a new wellness product inspired by the coconut’s long-established place in traditional island living.

Extending the celebration beyond the resort, the Madifushi team visited Muli and Mulah islands in Meemu Atoll to plant coconut palms as part of a wider, long-term community initiative.

In Muli, the team was warmly welcomed by the local community and joined members of the Island Council to plant coconut palms near the newly developed airport area. In Mulah, the resort collaborated with scouts from Mulah School to plant palms along the beach, encouraging young people to take an active role in nurturing their island environment.

“Coconut palms are deeply woven into Maldivian culture and everyday life. Nearly every part of the palm has traditionally served a purpose, from food and household essentials to craftsmanship and livelihoods. This celebration allowed us to share that heritage with our guests and Rays team while working alongside our neighbouring communities to create something meaningful for the future,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island.

The community planting activities form part of Madifushi Private Island’s broader commitment to planting more coconut palms and strengthening its connection with the communities of Meemu Atoll.

From celebrating traditional skills and local flavours to planting new palms for future generations, World Coconut Day at Madifushi Private Island served as a meaningful reminder of the coconut’s endless possibilities and its special place at the heart of Maldivian island life.

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French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives

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Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.

Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.

The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.

Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.

At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.

Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”

Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.

Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.

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SO/ Maldives celebrates three years with new island experiences and villa offerings

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Three years of bold expressions, unforgettable moments and unapologetic individuality. SO/ Maldives celebrates its third anniversary, marking an iconic journey of redefining contemporary island luxury with its distinctive style and playful sophistication.

Designed for the stylish individualist, SO/ Maldives commemorated the milestone in collaboration with Rip Curl Maldives, bringing together ocean culture, vibrant entertainment and the resort’s signature barefoot glamour in a celebration of creativity and island living.

To mark this new chapter, the resort introduces SO/ Signature Experiences, a curated collection of playful and elevated island moments. From Lazuli Frequency’s silent disco sessions and energetic Water Drums to Floating Pickleball and board games at Lazuli, Afternoon High Tea and Sunset Rituals at Pavilion Bar, each offering captures the resort’s distinctive personality.

Further elevating its luxury offering, SO/ Maldives unveils Your Villa, Your Way, an exclusive villa escape celebrating personalised indulgence and effortless privacy. Featuring private speedboat transfers, bespoke in-villa dining, flexible check-in and check-out, and curated privileges, the experience also extends to the entire CROSSROADS dining experiences. 

Beyond the resort, guests are invited to discover a world of flavours across CROSSROADS Maldives, home to 17 restaurants and bars offering everything from international favourites to exceptional culinary experiences, including dining recognised by Asia’s 50 Best. With flexible meal plans and an extensive choice of dining destinations, guests can explore the wider culinary scene with ease.

Connecting SO/ Maldives to The Marina and neighbouring resorts, a complimentary premium Maldivian dhoni shuttle offers a seamless and distinctly local way to experience everything CROSSROADS Maldives has to offer.

As SO/ Maldives enters its fourth chapter, the resort continues to push boundaries through bold collaborations, immersive experiences, environmental stewardship and a fresh perspective on contemporary island luxury.

For reservations and further enquiries, please visit the resort’s official website.

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ananea Madivaru Maldives to host international padel player Cornelia Lister

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ananea Madivaru Maldives will welcome Cornelia Lister, international padel player and Captain of the Swedish National Junior Padel Team, from 7 to 14 November 2026. Bringing experience from both professional tennis and international padel, she will host two afternoons of padel sessions, inviting guests to refine their game and enjoy friendly competition in an intimate group setting.

With a tennis career spanning appearances at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, Lister brings a distinguished sporting background to the experience. A WTA doubles titleholder who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of No. 72, she combines experience at the highest levels of tennis with a passion for developing players on the padel court.

With the growing appeal of padel inspiring new ways to spend time together on holiday, ananea Madivaru offers a setting where a love of sport finds its place within the ease of island life. Its padel and pickleball courts, overwater gym and Kandu Spa allow guests to move between spirited play and quieter moments at their own pace. Lister’s visit lends a distinctive touch to this experience, bringing the insight and warmth of an accomplished player to afternoons shared on court.

Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives, says: “Having worked with Cornelia before, I know firsthand the incredible energy and passion she brings, not only to the sport but also to the people around her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and for me, it was an obvious choice to welcome her to ananea Madivaru Maldives. She brings exactly the kind of personality and spirit we love, adding a little extra sporty glamour, fun and unforgettable moments to our guests’ island experience.”

Padel sessions with Cornelia Lister are exclusively available to in-house guests on a complimentary basis, adding a fun, active and memorable moment to their Slow Glamour holiday.

Opened in July 2025, ananea Madivaru is a luxury twin-island resort set in the heart of the Maldives’ North Ari Atoll. Rooted in the philosophy of slow glamour, the resort invites guests to embrace life’s unhurried rhythms while immersed in timeless beauty and refined simplicity. With 111 elegantly designed villas, nine distinct dining destinations, a private lagoon, serene spa, immersive experiences, and a dedicated kids’ club, ananea Madivaru blends contemporary sophistication with the traditions and natural splendour of its surroundings. Every element has been carefully curated to offer meaningful, memorable escapes that resonate long after departure.

For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s official website.

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