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The Maldives’ first annual Whale Shark Festival to be held on 29 June 2013

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Whale shark - Conrad Maldives

Maldives Promotion House – The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) in association with Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will launch the first Maldivian Whale Shark Festival in South Ari atoll on 29th June 2013.   This one-day festival has been created to highlight the potential cooperative initiatives between resorts and local island communities while providing a positive platform from which to raise awareness of this magnificent species.

The festival will keep a strong Marine Discovery element designed to give adults and children a hands-on experience through which they will discover the wonders of the Maldivian environment and culture. Activities include whale shark excursions, an ecological treasure hunt, cultural demonstrations, guest presentations about whale sharks and coral reef ecology, participatory performance art coordinated by London based arts company Emergency Exit Arts and of course traditional bodu beru music and Maldivian food.

Guests from surrounding resorts and local islands are invited to join the day of whale shark related festivities on Dhigurah Island in South Ari atoll.

It’s hoped that this will become an annual event, celebrating the occurrence of whale sharks in the Maldives and the South Ari Marine Protected Area and to provide an opportunity for visitors to explore the cultural and ecological wonders of the Maldives.

Sponsored by Conrad Maldives since 2007, the MWSRP are a leading authority on whale sharks in the Maldives. MWSRP have been building up a demographic profile of the whale shark population in the Maldives and over the past six years have documented over 1000 encounters.  The pioneering research of the MWSRP into the demography and movements of the whale shark population in the Maldives provides the scientific basis behind the programme’s conservation goals.

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From Galaxy of Dreams to Beneath the Blue: Cinnamon Resorts reveal festive programmes

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is preparing to trade winter chills for warm shores this festive season, with four distinctly themed celebrations unfolding across its island resorts. From evenings inspired by the stars and a festive journey around the world to a tropical wonderland and celebrations beneath the blue, each resort will put its own spin on Christmas and New Year in the Maldives. Across the islands, days will move between long lunches, ocean adventures and time on the beach, before evenings give way to festive dining, live entertainment and celebrations under the stars.

Cinnamon Velifushi Malives

At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Christmas looks to the stars with Galaxy of Dreams, a celestial-themed celebration made for the island’s wide-open skies. Sunset cruises, saxophone performances by the beach, intimate gourmet dinners and live music set the pace in the days leading up to Christmas, while younger guests can join their own Adventures Among the Stars. Christmas Eve brings a gala feast, the Velifushi Choir and Santa’s grand arrival before celebrations continue late into the night. The theme reaches its finale on New Year’s Eve, when DJs, a live band, dancers and a midnight countdown bring the Galaxy of Dreams to life one last time. 

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives will take the festive season Around the World, drawing inspiration from the food, music and traditions of different cultures while keeping the setting unmistakably Maldivian. Christmas Eve begins with a feast inspired by flavours from across the globe, followed by carols and live music, before the night shifts into dancing beside the ocean. The journey continues beyond Christmas with a celebration of Maldivian heritage during Spirit of the Islands, sunset cruises across the atoll and, as 2026 draws to a close, a New Year’s Eve filled with international music, live performances and dancing into the first hours of 2027. 

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Tropical Wonderland swaps snow-covered Christmas scenes for sunshine, sand and plenty of island energy. The season begins with the lighting of the Christmas tree and unfolds with experiences ranging from sunrise yoga and traditional coconut-leaf craftsmanship to festive activities for children. Christmas Eve brings everyone together for a Tropical Wonderland Gala Dinner, carols by the Dhonveli Choir and Santa’s arrival by the sea. And there is plenty still to come before New Year, including dolphin cruises, a neon beach party and a masquerade evening, culminating in a gala dinner and midnight fireworks over the Indian Ocean. 

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

For Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the festive season goes Beneath the Blue, taking its cue from an island where some of the most memorable experiences begin at the water’s edge. Guests can head out across Ellaidhoo’s renowned house reef on a snorkel safari with the resort’s Marine Biologist, discover island-grown flavours through a garden-to-plate culinary experience, or settle in for festive dinners by the shore. Christmas brings carols, celebrations and time together by the ocean, while the final days of the year introduce a distinctly Maldivian beat with traditional Bodu Beru. On New Year’s Eve, one last golden-hour cruise leads into a grand gala dinner, music and a countdown to 2027 surrounded by the Indian Ocean. 

For full festive programmes and further details for all four resorts, please visit the official website.

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Centara unveils KSA National Day holiday offers across Maldives resorts

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With KSA National Day approaching on 23 September, Saudi travellers looking to make the most of the holiday break can trade the city for the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of the Maldives. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection offer two distinct island experiences, from spacious stays and wellness to marine adventures, diving and memorable dining.

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Located in the turquoise waters of North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers an elegant island oasis for families, couples and groups looking for space, privacy and a wide choice of experiences. The resort features spacious two- and three-bedroom overwater and beachfront residences, alongside six restaurants and four bars offering a variety of dining experiences.

Wellness also takes centre stage throughout the stay, with SPA Cenvaree Retreat offering holistic treatments inspired by Thai wellness traditions, complemented by a yoga pavilion and modern fitness centre. Guests can also explore the surrounding waters through diving, watersports and guided marine excursions, while the Kids’ Club and E Zone offer dedicated spaces for younger guests, alongside a range of recreational activities designed for all ages.

For those planning a longer National Day getaway, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives’ A Summer of Island Elegance offer makes the journey to paradise even more worthwhile. Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy complimentary round-trip luxury speedboat transfers for two adults, allowing more time to focus on the island experience from the moment they arrive. Combined with spacious residences, exceptional dining and access to the resort’s extensive leisure and wellness facilities, the offer provides an added-value way to experience the Maldives in comfort and style.

When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th

Offer Details: Complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers for two adults on stays of four nights or more.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
  • This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
  • All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
  • Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
  • In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.

For more information, click here.

For travellers who want their National Day escape to be as restorative as it is relaxing, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers complimentary spa credit to enhance selected meal-plan stays. Guests can enjoy up to USD 60 (SAR 225) per person per stay at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, where traditional Thai-inspired treatments, massages, body rituals and facials provide the perfect way to unwind after a day spent exploring the lagoon or simply relaxing on the island.

Booking Period: From now until September 30th

Stay Period: From now until December 31st

Offer Details: USD 60 (SAR 225) spa credit per person per stay for guests on Half Board Plus, Full Board Plus, All-Inclusive and Atollia Destination meal plans, as well as guests who book directly.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
  • This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
  • All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
  • Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
  • In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.

For more information, click here.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Located in South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, presents a different side of the Maldives. Surrounded by an award-winning house reef, the resort offers an immersive island experience centred around marine adventures, pristine nature and relaxed island living.

The surrounding waters offer exceptional diving and snorkelling opportunities, centred around Machchafushi’s award-winning house reef, which is home to an extraordinary variety of coral and marine life. Guests can explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and thousands of species of tropical fish, while more than 50 dive sites across South Ari Atoll offer even more to discover. A particular highlight is the 52-metre Kudhi Maa shipwreck, which has transformed into a thriving artificial reef since sinking in 1999, attracting colourful marine life including glassfish, trevally, snapper, and reef sharks.

Away from the water, guests can take to the lagoon by kayak or paddleboard, explore the island at their own pace or retreat to the award-winning SPA Cenvaree, nestled beneath a 200-year-old banyan tree, offering a tranquil setting for Thai-inspired treatments and restorative rituals.

For families and groups seeking additional space, the Club Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa is the pinnacle of both indoor and outdoor living, with two bedrooms, a private pool, sun loungers and direct access to the beach. Framed by uninterrupted sea views and a fresh, all-white interior, the villa creates a serene private retreat where days can be spent between the comfort of the villa, the pool, and the turquoise waters nearby.

Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy 25% savings on seaplane transfers, while those staying for nine nights or longer can save 50%, making it an ideal opportunity to turn the KSA National Day break into a longer Maldivian holiday filled with diving, snorkelling, nature and uninterrupted island time.

When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th

Offer Details:

  • 25% savings on seaplane transfers with a four-night stay.
  • 50% savings on seaplane transfers with a stay of nine nights or longer.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
  • This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
  • All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
  • Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
  • In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.

For more information, click here.

After a day spent exploring Machchafushi’s celebrated house reef, guests can retreat to SPA Cenvaree for a restorative treatment inspired by traditional Thai wellness. Guests staying on Half Board Plus can enjoy USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay, while Full Board Plus guests receive USD 40 (SAR 150) per person per stay, offering an opportunity to slow down, recharge and add a moment of calm to an adventure-filled island escape.

Booking Period: From now until December 31st

Stay Period: From now until June 30th, 2027

Offer Details:

  • Half Board Plus: USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay.
  • Full Board Plus: USD 40 (SAR 150) spa credit per person per stay.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
  • This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
  • All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
  • Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
  • In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.

For more information, click here.

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Family

Kuda Villingili to host ‘Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark’ this Halloween

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This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites families to reconnect over a week of island celebrations. From 28 October to 1 November 2026, Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together imaginative children’s activities, Halloween evenings and time shared in the Maldives.

Home to a 150-metre swimming pool—one of the largest in the country —Kuda Villingili is among the best places to stay in the Maldives for families seeking space, privacy and experiences to enjoy together. Spacious one- to four-bedroom private pool villas provide space and privacy for multi-generational stays, complemented by eight restaurants, a dedicated Kids Club, spa and wellness experiences, watersports, surfing, tennis and pickleball. The five-star luxury resort in the Maldives is located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

Designed for young explorers, this year’s celebration introduces Kuda Fiyo & the Friendly Ghosts, an original island story that brings Halloween to life through imagination and discovery. Throughout the week, children can follow Kuda Fiyo on an adventure featuring creative workshops, themed games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, cookie and cupcake decorating, mocktail experiences and a Halloween Party— giving families a collection of family experiences in the Maldives to enjoy together.

As the sun sets, Ghosts After Dark takes over with Halloween-inspired experiences for families, couples and friends. Guests can enjoy haunted cocktails at sunset, set sail on a themed sunset cruise, explore the house reef during guided night snorkelling, try their hand at Halloween mixology or settle in beneath the stars for an open-air movie night. A Halloween Buffet Dinner with seasonal dishes and live entertainment anchors the celebrations, while themed cocktails and mocktails are served throughout the week.

Beyond Halloween, families have the freedom to shape each day around what they enjoy most. They can discover the marine world together, dine across the resort’s restaurants, retreat to the privacy of their villa or spend an afternoon beside the expansive pool. With experiences for different ages and interests, there is space to come together as well as time to enjoy the island individually.

This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers families the chance to reconnect, create new traditions and experience the season differently. Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together children’s adventures, evenings by the sea and the freedom of an island holiday.

Because the best family traditions are not simply celebrated—they are created together.

View Kuda Villingili’s Halloween 2026 brochure here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit www.kudavillingili.com.

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