Upcoming events

Experience the electrifying sounds of the multi‑award‑winning jazz‑funk phenomenon as they bring their infectious global groove to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives in May 2026. The Cat Empire are renowned worldwide for their dynamic fusion of jazz, funk, ska, Latin, reggae, and rock, creating high‑octane live shows that get audiences dancing and celebrating together. 

Over three sunset beach concerts, guests will enjoy feel‑good rhythms against a stunning Maldivian backdrop, from relaxed beachfront sets to vibrant performances framed by crashing waves. These intimate concerts form part of a unique Music in Paradise week‑long experience, blending soul‑stirring music with island hospitality and unforgettable moments. Events may include artist meet‑and‑greets, behind‑the‑scenes access, and curated island activities that celebrate connection and musical culture. 

The Cat Empire, formed in Melbourne in 1999, have built a passionate international following over more than two decades through countless tours, festival stages and studio albums, earning acclaim for their genre‑blending sound and joyous spirited performances. 

Renowned British illustrator Sarah Smart will be at Niva Kuramathi Maldives from 22 - 24 May  2026, offering live portrait sessions. Internationally recognised for her expertise in live painting,  product illustration, packaging and luxury brand art projects, Sarah is set to deliver a truly unique experience for art lovers.  

During her tranquil island residency, Sarah will conduct two exclusive live portrait sessions per day over three days. Guests will have the unique opportunity to have their portraits captured in  her signature style, observe her illustrative techniques up close, and receive a postcard or A5- sized original artwork to cherish as a memento of their experience. 

Young artists are invited to join Sarah for an enchanting interactive workshop at the Bageecha Kids Club. This special session is designed to spark creativity and ignite young imaginations,  guiding children on a journey of artistic discovery. It’s a wonderful opportunity for budding painters to express themselves through art, creating magical memories of their time on the  island.  

Sarah's diverse portfolio spans painting live illustrations for international brands, such as a  private gathering at the Oliver Peoples Boutique store in Madrid where guests received  personalised tote bags capturing themselves in the new collection. She also creates live fashion  illustrations of guests at elegant private parties, like a James Bond-themed soirée at The Arts  Club in Mayfair. Her brand collaborations include crafting personalised tote bags for Sunglass  Hut in Dublin and Copenhagen and designing illustrations for an Advent Calendar for Hill St., an  artisan bean-to-bar UK chocolate brand. Her wider client list includes Tory Burch, Chanel, Gucci  and Miu Miu. Additionally, Sarah has designed stationery for Jumeirah Carlton Tower's Chelsea  Dog Day and new menu design for The Doyle Collection.  

A story long resting beneath the surface returns this May, as Dhawa Ihuru invites guests and ocean enthusiasts to experience the Rannamaari Dive Fest 2026, taking place on 23 May 2026.

Set against one of the Maldives’ most accessible and vibrant house reefs — recognised among the Best House Reefs in the Maldives by Travel + Leisure Asia (2025) and awarded Best Dive Resort by Travel Trade Maldives (2025) — Dhawa Ihuru offers a compelling setting for discovery both above and below the surface.

At the centre of the experience lies the Rannamaari Shipwreck, a former dredger deliberately sunk in 1999 just off the island’s shore. Today, it has evolved into a thriving artificial reef, drawing an abundance of marine life and offering an accessible yet captivating dive site for both beginners and experienced divers.

On 23 May, the island comes alive with a full-day programme designed to bring this underwater legend to life. Guests can explore the wreck through guided dives led by the resort’s PADI-certified Dive Centre, alongside activities such as underwater treasure hunts, marine discovery sessions, and interactive experiences with the resort’s Marine Lab.

Founded in 2004 as the first of its kind in the Maldives, our Marine Lab continues to pioneer reef protection and restoration efforts. During the festival, guests can engage with our marine biologists and gain deeper information into the ecosystems that sustain island life.

As part of the experience, guests will also be introduced to the resort’s pioneering underwater initiatives, including the Barnacle Project — the Maldives’ first electric reef, launched in 1996 — and the Necklace Reef, established in 1998. Today, these structures have evolved into thriving marine habitats, supporting coral growth and attracting a rich diversity of fish and marine life.

Beyond diving, the festival extends across the island with a vibrant mix of experiences for all. From watersports and island crafts to relaxed beachfront dining and family-friendly activities, the event reflects Dhawa Ihuru’s easy-going, all-inclusive approach – where everything is thoughtfully in place, so guests can simply arrive and enjoy.

"The Rannamaari is more than a shipwreck – it is a living symbol of how responsible marine initiatives can transform history into habitat. From its unexpected sinking in 1999 to becoming a thriving artificial reef and the heart of our signature dive events, Rannamaari reflects our commitment to marine conservation, meaningful guest experiences, and celebrating the Maldives' deep connection with the ocean", said Mujuthaba Ali, Marine Recreations Manager, Marine Centre, of Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. 

Just 25 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Dhawa Ihuru offers seamless access to an island where reef, wreck, and relaxed island living come together.

Burunu Lite – Addu Edition (Ronda Masrace 1447) is a one-day sport fishing tournament held in Maradhoo, Addu City, bringing together local fishing communities, youth participants, and visiting anglers for a high-energy celebration of Maldivian ocean culture.

Taking place during Eid-Al Adha on 28 May 2026, the event combines competitive sport fishing with cultural festivities, community engagement, and sustainability-focused practices aligned with international IGFA standards. Teams compete in a structured points-based format across a full-day offshore fishing challenge, followed by a public weigh-in, awards ceremony, and Eid gala celebration on the harbour.

Beyond competition, Burunu Lite – Addu Edition promotes the Maldives’ Blue Economy vision by highlighting responsible fishing practices, supporting regional tourism development in the southern atolls, and showcasing Addu City as an emerging hub for experiential tourism. All fish caught during the tournament are sold, with proceeds directed to charitable causes, reinforcing the event’s strong community and social responsibility focus.

The programme also serves as a precursor to the international BURUNU BOMA fishing tournament, positioning the Maldives as a growing destination for sport and adventure fishing tourism.

Baros Maldives, one of the Indian Ocean’s most storied and ecologically committed resorts, today announces Fully Ocean: a week-long programme of marine conservation, education and immersive discovery taking place from 1 to 8 June 2026.

Timed to coincide with World Reef Awareness Day (Sunday 1 June) and World Oceans Day (8 June), Fully Ocean marks a new chapter in Baros’s five-decade legacy of reef guardianship, moving conservation from background operation to shared guest experience. The programme invites visitors to step alongside the resort’s marine team as active participants in the protection of one of the Maldives’ most remarkable house reefs.

“Baros has been a guardian of this reef for over 50 years,” said Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager. “Fully Ocean is our invitation to guests to be part of that story – as stewards, not merely observers. The reef that surrounds this island is one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world. It deserves our care.”

A legacy that runs deep

Baros first welcomed guests in 1973, making it one of the Maldives’ original resorts and among the first to establish a formal reef restoration programme. As a Maldivian-born, family-owned property, its relationship with the surrounding ecosystem is personal as much as professional. Resident marine biologists have worked continuously to nurture the coral gardens that underpin the island, while behind-the-scenes operations – from biodegradable cleaning products and CFC-free air conditioning to heat exchange water systems and LED lighting – reflect an environmental commitment embedded at every level.

Fully Ocean is the public expression of that ongoing work.

The Fully Ocean programme: 1-8 June 2026

Monday 1 June: World Coral Reef Day

The week opens as it means to go on: in the water. A guided house reef tour at 10 am sets the scene, introducing guests to the extraordinary ecosystem that has shaped Baros since 1973. The afternoon brings an event presentation – the place to register, gather information and book experiences for the week ahead. As the sun drops, night snorkelling closes the day with the reef in an entirely different light.

Tuesday 2 June: Coral Restoration Projects

The work begins in earnest. Led by marine biologist and ocean conservationist Carissa Cabrera, Tuesday is dedicated to Baros’s coral restoration programme – a morning snorkelling safari followed by workshops covering the science, the methods and the meaning behind the Coral Cube initiative. Guests can join a complimentary group planting session or go further and sponsor their own personal coral frame to nurture and one day return to.

Wednesday 3 June: Fish Festival

Equal parts education and delight. The morning opens with a fish identification workshop — learning to recognise the species that animate the Baros reef, with an in-water session for divers and snorkellers to put new knowledge immediately to use. A guided house reef tour follows in the afternoon and the Palm Garden comes alive from 3pm with fish-themed games, identification challenges and painting for guests of all ages. Night snorkelling closes another day well spent.

Thursday 4 June: Reef Treasures

For those who want to go deeper – literally and figuratively. The morning’s Microlife Finders programme takes divers into the quieter corners of the reef, a briefing on the reef’s key families followed by guided exploration of the organisms that underpin the whole system. A snorkelling safari follows, before the afternoon’s low tide encounters open up a different world entirely: guided exploration of shells, sea cucumbers and crabs in the shallows. The day ends with something genuinely spectacular – Glow in the Dark, a special night experience illuminated by UV light, with a complimentary presentation before an in-water session that needs to be seen to be believed.

Friday 5 June: World Environment Day

A day to surface, breathe and take stock. A complimentary nature walk at 10:30 am explores the island itself – its vegetation, its quieter rhythms, its life above the waterline. The afternoon invites guests to pick up a camera for the Maldivian Treasures competition: a search for the best photograph of Baros nature, open to all and free to enter. A second Glow in the Dark session closes the evening for those who missed Thursday’s.

Saturday 6 June

A gentler day – guided house reef tours in the morning, night snorkelling as the stars appear. Time to absorb, reflect and let the week settle quietly around you.

Sunday 7 June: Turtle Day

One of the week’s most heartwarming days. The Olive Ridley Project brings a full sea turtle event to Baros: a marine roadshow, an awareness briefing and a code of conduct workshop that helps guests understand the lives of these ancient, unhurried creatures – and how small human choices shape their future.

Monday 8 June: World Oceans Day

The week closes on the biggest stage of all. A guided house reef tour at 10 am, a reef clean-up that puts collective care into direct, tangible action and night snorkelling to end – in the dark, fully present. A fitting final note for a week that began with a single reef and ended with the whole ocean in mind.

Several activities throughout the week are complimentary; specialist-guided experiences carry a charge. Full programme details and booking information are available through the resort directly.

Summer at Baros

Fully Ocean coincides with the opening of Baros’s Endless Summer offer, running from May to October 2026. The summer months remain one of the Maldives’ best-kept secrets: calm seas, quieter islands and nutrient-rich waters that draw manta rays and whale sharks to the nearby atolls. Baros is inviting guests to experience the season at its most peaceful – and most purposeful.

• Fully Ocean experiences at Baros Maldives are available to resort guests. Booking in advance is recommended. For booking enquiries, please contact [email protected] or
  call +960 664 2672.
• Endless Summer at Baros provides our timeless elegance at exceptional value. Guests may enjoy a complimentary upgrade to half board, special rates on speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport and enhanced privileges. Valid for stays between 01 May 2026 to 31 October 2026.

Every year in the Burunu Part of Monsoon occurring from April to June, the Maldives hosts its Annual Sustainable Fishing Festival—a nationwide celebration dedicated to responsible fishing practices. This atolls-wide event brings together tourists, locals, and hospitality partners in a thrilling challenge that promotes sustainability while offering an unforgettable adrenaline-pumping experience on the deep blue seas.
Participants engage in a catch-and-release competition targeting big game fish like marlin and yellowfin tuna, highlighting the importance of preserving marine biodiversity. The festival not only celebrates the Maldivian fishing heritage but also serves as a powerful platform to raise global awareness about sustainable fishing methods.
Winners are honored with the prestigious Burunu Boma Awards, and standout moments from the festival are featured on the Visit Maldives website. National TV coverage further amplifies the message, showcasing the Maldives as a global role model in eco-conscious fishing practices

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in partnership with Music in Paradise, welcomes the return of acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins for an exclusive island concert series from 13–20 June 2026.

Following her sold-out 2025 debut, Missy returns for three intimate sunset performances set against the stunning Maldivian backdrop, along with special meet-and-greet experiences. With 26 ARIA nominations and five Australian No. 1 singles, her 2026 shows are expected to sell out quickly, with attendance limited to just 200 guests to ensure a truly personal experience.

The Gold Experience Package includes seven nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, return speedboat transfers, three exclusive concerts, a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity, plus curated island experiences. Several premium packages have already sold out.

Located in South Malé Atoll, just 40–45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kandooma offers beachfront and overwater villas, family-friendly facilities, diverse dining, and a tranquil spa — the perfect setting for an unforgettable music escape in paradise.

From 13–15 June 2026, elite anglers from around the world are invited to compete in the Maldives’ premier sport fishing event, organized by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC). The tournament celebrates the nation’s fishing heritage while promoting adventure tourism and sustainable catch-and-release practices.

• Competition: 3 full days, 05:00–18:30, following IGFA international standards.
• Prizes: Top cash prize USD 25,000, plus Champion Team, Best Captain, and Best Angler titles.
• Registration: Open now until 30 April 2026 (late registration until 31 May).

The event concludes with a cultural celebration on 16 June, featuring traditional performances and awards recognition. Burunu Boma has become a highlight of the global sport fishing calendar, drawing teams to the Maldives’ rich waters.