News
Hawksbill Turtle nests protected at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has taken steps to secure the nests of hundreds of eggs from a returning Hawksbill Turtle who has selected the western shores of the private island paradise as her nesting beach.
“We are thrilled to have discovered the nest which is a good indication that the turtles feel safe and welcome at Kandooma,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“The Hawksbill Sea Turtles are critically endangered and it’s our responsibility to protect our environment, ecosystems and keep these beautiful creatures safe. Education plays a big part in what we do at Kandooma helping our guests to understand the journey and how precious the nests are.”
Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricate) have the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Status as critically endangered. The turtles are understood to live 30-50 years and range in size from 66 to 95cm at maturity. Maturity is not defined by age, it varies and depends on food availability. The turtles, carnivores, mate approximately every two years in secluded lagoons off their nesting beaches. They nest two to five times per season and in the Maldives with the warm Indian Ocean the females lay an average of 100 to 180 eggs per nest. The incubation period is approximately two months.
Mark explains that the turtles go from the water up the beaches to the vegetation line to nest. When nesting is not spotted in progress, shallow track marks left in the sand up to 85cm wide with the telltale symmetrical marks that the forelimbs make are a solid indication.
“Our team will now monitor the nests and as it becomes closer to the big day when the eggs hatch, the protective nets around the nests will be removed to allow the baby turtles to start their life’s journey. It’s pretty neat to see, albeit from a distance,” Mark said.
Mark explains that the Resort has some simple rules in place at the island regarding hatchlings including no bright lights, no loud noises, take care where you walk, and if you see a hatchling disoriented or heading inland, gently turn it around to face the sea and alert one of the staff. The nests are fenced to protect them from people stepping on the nest as it is soft sand from top to bottom. The hatched turtles have to climb out of the nest as they mimic swimming in the sea.
“Only 1 in 1,000 will make it to maturity. The turtles have many predators, among them humans, sharks, triggerfish and grouper, while discarded nets known as Ghost nets as well as erosion are also a threat,” adds Mark.
Located in the South Male atoll just 40 minutes from the airport by boat, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful, natural island paradise. White sand beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the backdrop for leisure pursuits and some of the best scuba diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses and the popular Overwater Villas. Families are well catered for with a choice of 2- and 3-bed villas and the Kandoo Kids’ Club with its fun activities programme. Six food and beverage outlets ensure healthy appetites are satisfied and the flavours of the Maldives are explored. Guests seeking time out and relaxation will enjoy sun-loungers and hammocks dotted around the island. Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers a tranquil escape for body and mind.
Love
Angsana Velavaru unveils Valentine’s Day experiences
This Valentine’s Day, Angsana Velavaru invites couples to experience a romantic Maldives getaway designed for intimacy, connection, and unforgettable moments. Set within a private lagoon in the pristine South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort offers an idyllic Valentine’s Day escape for couples seeking privacy, wellbeing, and meaningful shared experiences.
On 14 February, Angsana Velavaru presents Valentine’s Day Under the Stars, a beachfront dining experience created exclusively for couples. Set along the shoreline, this elegant five-course dinner combines refined cuisine with ocean views, candlelit ambience, and personalised service, making it one of the most romantic Valentine’s Day dinners in the Maldives.
Beyond the evening celebration, the resort extends Valentine’s experiences throughout February with a curated programme of couples’ wellness and spa offerings. Designed to encourage relaxation and reconnection, these experiences include shared spa treatments at the award-winning Angsana Spa, private yoga sessions by the beach, and holistic rituals that promoted balance and wellbeing for couples.
Couples can enjoy sunset walks along white-sand beaches, floating breakfast in private pools, or tranquil time together in the resort’s signature beachfront and overwater villas. The iconic InOcean villas, offer exceptional privacy and panoramic ocean views, making them ideal for honeymooners and couples celebrating Valentine’s Day in the Maldives.
With its blend of romantic dining, couple’s spa experiences, and secluded island living, Angsana Velavaru offers one of the most distinctive Valentine’s Day resort experiences in the Maldives. Whether celebrating new love or deepening a lifelong bond, couples are invited to mark Valentine’s Day in a setting where romance feels natural, personal and timeless.
For more information on Valentine’s Day experiences and romantic stays at Angsana Velavaru, please visit the resort’s website.
News
COMO Maalifushi introduces new all-inclusive experience, Simply COMO
COMO Maalifushi, the only resort in the unspoiled Thaa Atoll, has announced the launch of a new all-inclusive plan – Simply COMO – available from February 1, 2026. Designed for depth over excess, this elevated experience brings together COMO Hotels and Resorts’ renowned culinary philosophy, transformative wellness, and bespoke ocean adventures into one effortless, thoughtfully curated journey.
Simply COMO reshapes the conventional all-inclusive approach. Dining spans multiple venues — from Mediterranean flavours at Thila to Japanese at Tai and the wellness-driven COMO Shambhala Kitchen — complemented by weekly chef-led themed dinners, beach BBQs and a curated beverage list including more than 50 labels of wines, variety of spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options, complemented by a daily restocked in-villa private bar. Offering oceanfront dining, barefoot lunches and dinner under the stars, each culinary experience showcases the resort’s dedication to quality, simplicity, and naturally sourced ingredients.
Simply COMO includes an enriching selection of island and marine activities that reveal the beauty and unique surrounding COMO Maalifushi including:
- Dolphin Sunset Cruise – a spectacle of nature creating a moment of wonder for guests they’ll never forget
- Splash Boat Cruise – a must for the family at sunset to hop onto our dhoni’s splash net and experience the thrill of being towed through the ocean
- Guided turtle and reef snorkeling safaris to experience the rich house reef in this remote atoll
- Offshore sunset drop-line fishing, for a moment of calm as the sky turns gold (one per guest)
Wellness forms the heartbeat of Simply COMO, with inclusion of a signature COMO Shambhala massage per guest as well as daily movement classes – ranging from yoga and stretching to meditation and functional strength – all supported and enhanced by COMO Shambhala Kitchen, for those guests looking to enrich their wellness experience.
For families, Play by COMO offers younger guests a world of discovery, with dedicated supervision that gives parents complete peace of mind. Children can dive into purposeful, creative play including treasure hunts, fort building, yoga sessions, and conservation projects, while parents embrace the island’s natural beauty and curated barefoot rituals. Thoughtful touches, from handcrafted afternoon tea to an all-day ice-cream bar, add a gentle sense of indulgence for little ones too.
Designed to meet the needs of every type of traveller, Simply COMO brings people together across generations – appealing to couples seeking privacy and reconnection, families looking for effortless bonding, and wellness seekers drawn to restorative practices – while inviting everyone to explore the Maldives’ extraordinary marine life and unique position of COMO Maalifushi.
“With Simply COMO, we focused on creating an experience that feels effortless yet elevated,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “Every element — from cuisine and wellness to our ocean-led adventures — has been crafted to feel distinctly COMO.”
Simply COMO all-inclusive plan is available to book now for stays from February 1, 2026, offered alongside the resort’s existing Half Board meal plan to provide guests with flexible choices tailored to their style of travel.
Cooking
Meera Sodha to host plant-forward dining experience at Kurumba Maldives
Kurumba Maldives has announced an exciting culinary collaboration with acclaimed food columnist and cookbook author Meera Sodha. Scheduled from 13 to 15 February 2026, this partnership brings Meera Sodha’s celebrated plant-forward cooking philosophy to the coral shores of Kurumba for a series of curated dining experiences.
This special activation sees Sodha join forces with Kurumba’s own esteemed culinary team. Together, they’ll craft and present a collection of dishes inspired by her acclaimed cookbooks ‘Fresh India’ and ‘Made in India’, which champion bold, vibrant, and accessible vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The collaboration promises to deliver an authentic Gujarati experience that will delight guests, food enthusiasts, and discerning travellers alike.
Throughout her residency, guests at Kurumba Maldives will discover plant-based dishes that reflect Sodha’s signature style. The event showcases the versatility of plant-based ingredients, presented through a series of thoughtfully crafted dining experiences including a Sunset Canapé Evening at Athiri Beach Bar on 15 February 2026.
The collaboration represents a significant moment for the Maldivian culinary scene – a rare chance to experience the creations of one of the UK’s most influential food writers in an iconic island setting. Travellers with a passion for creative and flavourful food will discover a fresh and inspiring take on vegetarian and vegan dining.
For more information or to make a booking, visit www.kurumba.com.
-
Action1 week agoNiyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
-
Action1 week agoReethi Faru Resort hosts Magda Linette ahead of new tennis season
-
Entertainment1 week agoAvani+ Fares Maldives Resort sets stage for first music festival in May 2026
-
News1 week agoBollywood stars Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal celebrate festive season at SO/ Maldives
-
Featured1 week agoReflect, renew, explore: Angsana Velavaru unveils its 2026 offerings
-
Featured1 week agoIntimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
-
Featured1 week agoMusic and mindful movement anchor new season at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
-
News1 week agoIfuru Island Maldives introduces refreshed day escapes for non-staying guests


