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Oaga Art Resort announces plans for Fitr-Eid celebrations
The management of Oaga Art Resort has announced their plans for the upcoming Fitr Eid celebrations. The resort will be hosting a 2-day series of events and activities to mark this special occasion.
On the first day of Eid, the celebrations will kick off with the morning Eid prayers, followed by Eid breakfast and greetings hosted by the resort’s ‘Rahvehin’ team. Throughout the day, a modified rendition of Eid Maaloodh will take place around the island, where poetry is recited invoking good blessings, a custom which was once practiced widely in Maldives. A grand Eid buffet lunch will be served in Maldivian style, and guests can also expect ‘Eid Bolah Gon!’ flash mobs around the island.
The festivities will continue with Eid ‘hingaalun’ or parade, where all the resort’s Rahvehin will take part dressed in traditional attire, led by traditional boduberu beats with ‘maali neshun’, a traditional form of dance performed while painted and dressed as spirits and ghosts.
A special cocktail party will follow at Sobi Bar, the resort’s beer and gin garden. The evening will culminate with a ‘bodumas dhuvvun’ display and narration at Kaa Kada beach with the ‘maali’ and boduberu beats. ‘Bodumas’ literally translates to ‘big fish’ which is in essence woven intricately out of coconut palm leaves for the Eid parade. Meanwhile, guests can enjoy dinner at either Malaafaiy Restaurant, the Rahvehin restaurant or at Kaa Kada the main restaurant, both featuring live music by local artists. The night will end with an Eid show with various acts to entertain guests at Raa Baa, the resort’s main pool and bar.
On the second day of Eid, the festivities will continue with traditional Eid ‘Kulhivaru’ or sports including ‘Baibalaa’, the Maldivian rendition of the South-Asian game Kabaddi, and ‘Faiga thalhaa’ or dodgeball. The celebrations will end with an Eid show at 7:00 pm.
The resort has taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of guests and staff during these celebrations. Guests are reminded to follow all COVID-19 protocols while participating in the festivities. The Rahvehin invite everyone to come and join for an unforgettable Fitr Eid celebration at Oaga Art Resort.
For Maldives lovers searching for an all-inclusive holiday, Oaga Art Resort’s Greatest All-Inclusive plan re-defines the limits of what All-Inclusive is all about; with inclusions such as Creative Expression (art) classes, Take Notes (music) experiences, Thashibari In-Villa Dining to floating meal, choices of excursions, motorised water-sports and many more.
Situated in North Malé Atoll, Oaga Art Resort is 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. A small island with 60 villas with beach and over water options, 4 dining venues and a spa inspired by Maldivian traditional healing practices, Oaga Art Resort’s artistic and creative spaces offer an immersive experience curated by local and visiting artists, and craftsmen from the Maldives.
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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