Bandos Maldives is celebrating the remarkable journey of loyal guests Kate and Andy, whose deep bond with the island and its vibrant underwater world has beautifully evolved over two decades.

Their Bandos story began in 2006, and ever since they have retuned back at least twice a year. In2014, they returned for a truly unforgettable milestone: exchanging their vows underwater at Bandos. Since then, diving has remained at the heart of their visits. Kate marked her 1,000th dive with more than 900 of them alongside the Bandos dive team, and Andy celebrated his 900th dive, all completed with Dive Bandos, in September 2025.

This special journey has now reached another milestone with Mrs. Watkinson’s 50th visit to Bandos and more than 400 dives on the Bandos house reef. To commemorate this extraordinary connection, Bandos has dedicated a special area of the house reef to her, creating a lasting tribute to her many years of memories beneath the waves. The area, named the K & A Coral Garden, forms part of the resort’s coral restoration project. Acropora coral fragments are carefully secured to suspended nylon ropes using a frame-based restoration method. As the coral grows, the garden will develop into a living habitat, providing shelter to marine life and enriching the biodiversity of the house reef.

More than a celebration, the K & A Coral Garden represents a living legacy: honouring 50 visits, hundreds of dives, and a lasting connection with the ocean while contributing to the continued restoration of Bandos’ house reef.

Beyond their love for the vibrant marine life, the couple is dedicated advocates for eco-friendly practices. To create a timeless memory of their incredible 50th visit, they also planted a frangipani tree right outside their favourite villa at the resort to grow alongside the resort for years to come.

General Manager Ismail Rasheed shared, “We are honoured to celebrate such an extraordinary milestone with Kate and Andy. We truly value the profound and lasting bond they have built with the resort. The K & A Coral Garden is a meaningful way for us to celebrate their connection while creating something that will continue to give back to the reef they have enjoyed for so many years.”

From underwater vows and milestone dives to a coral garden that will continue to grow, Kate and Andy’s journey with Bandos Maldives is a beautiful story of loyalty, love and a shared passion for the ocean: one that will continue to live beneath the waves.

Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, will welcome the renowned Château Palmer to its island shores on 25 October 2026 for an exclusive wine dinner, bringing together exceptional Bordeaux wines, thoughtfully crafted cuisine and the relaxed elegance of the Maldives.

For this special evening, Finolhu will be joined by Monsieur Charles Sichel, representing a family whose connection with Château Palmer dates back to 1938. The Sichel family remains one of the families behind the celebrated Margaux estate today, continuing a relationship spanning generations.

Set within the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, Château Palmer is recognised for a distinctive style shaped by its terroir. Its Grand Vin brings together Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Petit Verdot, producing wines characterised by finesse, elegance and an aromatic expression of flowers, fruit and spice. The estate’s wines are matured for more than 20 months before revealing their full expression.

The Château Palmer Wine Dinner at Finolhu will take guests on a journey through a curated selection of wines from the estate, each thoughtfully paired with a specially created menu from Finolhu’s culinary team. Throughout the evening, Monsieur Charles Sichel will share insights into the heritage, terroir and craftsmanship behind Château Palmer, offering guests a more personal perspective on the wines in their glasses.

The dinner forms part of Finolhu’s evolving calendar of culinary experiences, bringing distinctive producers and personalities from the international world of food and wine to Baa Atoll. From the wine selection to each accompanying dish, the evening will celebrate the relationship between cuisine and wine while retaining the relaxed, experiential character that defines dining at Finolhu.

The event follows Finolhu’s recent recognition as one of the Best Culinary Resorts at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, an accolade celebrating the creativity and dedication behind the resort’s food and beverage experiences. Gastronomy is an integral part of the Finolhu experience, with thoughtfully developed menus, international influences and distinctive settings coming together to create memorable moments around the table.

The Château Palmer Wine Dinner continues this culinary story, following a series of wine-led experiences at the resort and further strengthening Finolhu’s focus on creating dining occasions that extend beyond the plate. Most recently, the resort welcomed Sato Wines from Central Otago for a series of intimate dinners, including an evening at the iconic Crab Shack.

Sunny Chuang, Director of Food & Beverage, said: “We are delighted to welcome Monsieur Charles Sichel and Château Palmer to Finolhu for what promises to be a very special evening. Our approach to dining has always been about creating experiences that bring together exceptional flavours, inspiring stories and memorable settings. To share the heritage and wines of Château Palmer with our guests in Baa Atoll is a wonderful continuation of that journey.”

Guests attending the dinner can look forward to an intimate evening of fine wine, considered pairings and conversation, bringing the character of Margaux to the shores of the Maldives.

For more information and reservations, visit finolhu.com.

White sands. Crystal-clear lagoons. Palm trees swaying in the breeze. Not exactly where you would expect to come face-to-face with a horror icon, wander through the strange world of Beetlejuice or find little witches and superheroes trick-or-treating beneath coconut palms.

Yet every October, Sun Siyam proves that Halloween and paradise make an unexpectedly perfect match. Across the collection, guests can choose their own Halloween adventure. Lose yourself inside a cinematic horror of Cult Classics production at Siyam World, step into the delightfully strange universe of Beetlejuice at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, celebrate Maldivian traditions beneath the stars at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, embrace relaxed beachfront festivities at Sun Siyam Iru Veli, or watch little monsters set off on tropical trick-or-treat adventures at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. Whatever your Halloween personality, there is an island waiting.

Where horror becomes a holiday

At the centre of it all is Siyam World, where Halloween has become something of a legend in its own right. Never one for a handful of pumpkins and a themed buffet, the resort returns with CULT CLASSICS, its boldest Halloween production yet. Inspired by the cult horror films that defined generations, guests are invited to step inside an interactive walkthrough where every corner reveals another surprise. Live performers, cinematic sets, immersive storytelling and unexpected encounters blur the line between audience and performance, creating an experience that is as theatrical as it is thrilling. Survive the walkthrough and the night is only just beginning.

The experience unfolds into a spectacular live production, where cinematic storytelling, immersive sets, theatrical performances and unexpected encounters blur the line between audience and show. It is horror, but with a distinctly Siyam World twist: bigger, bolder, brilliantly over the top and impossible to experience from the sidelines. And when the scares give way to the after-party, DJ and music producer SARRA takes over the decks. Blending Afro House, Afro Tech House, Indie Dance and Latin House, her sound moves through deep grooves, layered percussion and global rhythms, bringing a high-energy electronic soundtrack to the night. Known for building sets that evolve with the dancefloor, SARRA will take CULT CLASSICS from immersive horror spectacle into a Halloween party that keeps going long after the final scare.

“Halloween has become one of those moments guests genuinely plan their holidays around. Every year we challenge ourselves to create something completely different, something that feels more like stepping into a movie than attending an event. CULT CLASSICS is nostalgic, theatrical, brilliantly over the top and genuinely immersive. Exactly as Halloween should be,” says Sara Siyam, Director of Marketing, Sun Siyam Resorts

The Wonderfully Weird Side of Paradise

At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, guests are invited to leave reality behind and enter the wonderfully weird world of Beetlejuice. Inspired by the cult classic, the resort undergoes a dramatic transformation, where black-and-white stripes, glowing green lighting, theatrical installations and playful surprises turn familiar island spaces into an immersive fantasy. From themed cocktails and imaginative dining to roaming characters and live performances, the island embraces the strange from day into night. Taking over the decks is international DJ Giada Brincè, bringing her signature blend of hypnotic Afro House rhythms and sophisticated electronic sounds to the celebration. Having performed across destinations including Monte Carlo, Mykonos and Italy, and built a global following through her live sets and social channels, Brincè will bring a refined but high-energy soundtrack to Olhuveli’s Halloween night. Expect the wonderfully weird, the theatrical and the unexpected, with a seriously good beat behind it.

At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Halloween meets authentic Maldivian hospitality. Guests gather beneath the stars at Islander’s Grill for a beachfront barbecue showcasing freshly caught seafood, premium cuts and Mediterranean and Asian-inspired flavours before the rhythmic energy of a traditional Bodu Beru performance fills the night. The celebrations continue at Water’s Edge with a lively Halloween DJ party where tropical rhythms keep families and friends dancing late into the evening.

At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Halloween unfolds at an easy island pace. Young guests begin the day with festive crafts at Turtle Kidz Club before the celebrations move to Chemistry Bar for a lively pool party complete with DJ beats, themed drinks and poolside dining. As evening arrives, the island swaps spooky surprises for barefoot elegance with a beachfront Lobster BBQ accompanied by live music beneath the stars.

Meanwhile, at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Halloween comes to life with Ocean Haunt, an island-wide celebration where tropical charm meets playful imagination. Families can expect a day filled with music, dancing, face painting, creative crafts and the colourful Little Monsters Parade, while younger guests unleash their creativity decorating ghostly cookies and spooky treats at Turtle Kidz Club. As darkness falls, the festivities continue with a themed beachfront BBQ, where DJ beats, ocean breezes and a touch of island magic transform Halloween into a relaxed celebration beneath the stars. Equal parts family fun and barefoot luxury, Ocean Haunt captures the lighter, more whimsical side of Halloween in paradise.

Whether guests are seeking blockbuster entertainment, immersive fantasy, authentic island celebrations, elegant beachfront evenings or unforgettable family adventures, Sun Siyam offers a Halloween unlike anywhere else in the Maldives. Because Halloween does not have to be wrapped in fog, falling leaves or cobwebs. Sometimes the best scares happen with warm sand beneath your feet, a cocktail in hand and the Indian Ocean quietly watching in the background.

Fear has never looked so good

For those inspired to swap autumn for the tropics, there has never been a better time to plan an island escape. Sun Siyam Resorts is currently offering a range of exclusive seasonal offers across its Maldivian collection, with added value including savings on accommodation, complimentary transfers, resort credits and signature experiences. Many offers are available for bookings made until 31 October 2026, making Halloween the perfect excuse to discover paradise with a darker twist.

To discover the latest offers and book your Halloween escape, visit www.sunsiyam.com/offers.