Best of the Maldives: Wide Path Canopy – Olhuveli

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli - wide canopy

One of the charms of many Maldives islands, especially those with particularly lush vegetation, is that the flora can form a tunnel-like canopy over the paths literally enveloping you in its greenery. The overhead foliage provides an often welcome shade from the tropical sun (especially while you are doing a rare bit of exercising by walking or bike riding from one place to another). It’s easy for narrow footpaths to have such canopies, but we have never seen one span such a wide expanse as areas of Sun Siyam Olhuveli where a sandy lane wide enough for two buggies is densely shielded.

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Best of the Maldives: Bus Stops – Siyam World

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Siyam World - bus stops 1

The inspired resorts are the ones who make the ordinary extraordinary. Siyam World is quite an extensive property and they have laid on a buggy service that operates constantly to make it easier for guests to get from one place or another without have to fatigue their legs or endure an too much time in an overly toasty sunny day. Most resorts put a bench or a simple bus shelter to mark the buggy stops, but Siyam World has designed an colorful collection all inspired by famous cities around the world:

  • London
  • Kudafari
  • Delhi
  • New York
  • Milan
  • Instanbul
  • Tokyo
  • Munich
  • Marrakech
  • Moscow
  • Cape Town
  • Seoul

Not only does it add a striking aesthetic to this otherwise boring spot, but the very distinctive decors really help you to remember which stop you want to go or return to (especially helpful after an evening of pina coladas)

Siyam World’s buggy stop reduce the “pedestrian” at their resorts in more way than one.

Siyam World - bus stops 2

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Best of the Maldives: Ducks – Siyam World

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Olhuveli - ducks 2

As we are halfway through the 12 days of Christmas, its famous musical namesake mentions 184 birds including goose, calling birds, French hens, swans an of course the eponymous partridge…but no ducks. But the place you will find an even more extensive collection of ducks is at Siyam World’s animal sanctuary. In fact, Siyam World is a haven for injured and otherwise vulnerable individuals as a bit of a ‘duck rescue’ (see photo below).

Fun Fact – The word for such a group of ducks varies depending on their activity:

  • Waking – flock
  • Swimming – puddle
  • Swimming in formation – raft
  • Flying in a group – team
  • Flying in formation – skein
  • Large group – armada
  • Baby ducks – badling or brood
  • Two – brace

Siyam World - ducks 2

Siyam World - ducks 3

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Best of the Maldives: Overwater Padel Tennis – Meyyafushi

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Meyyafushi - padel 2

Meyyafushi’s new Overwater Padel Tennis Court might be the most neo-Maldivian feature in a long time – a trendy activity placed overwater:

  • “The World’s first fixed Overwater Padel Tennis Court. Set above crystal clear lagoons where the sunsets paint the sky, this architectural masterpiece invites guests to play, rejuvenate, and connect in one unforgettable setting, surrounded by panoramic views and the soothing embrace of the ocean.”

Meyyafushi - padel 1

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Best of the Maldives: Snorkeling Record – Siyam World

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Siyam World - snorkeling record 1

The Maldives is not only one of the best places in the world to snorkel, but at Siyam World it is now definitely, verifiably the biggest place in the world to snorkel:

  • “Siyam World, together with Free Dive Maldives, officially set the Guinness World Record for the most people snorkelling simultaneously at a single venue on 5 December 2025, with an incredible 307 participants joining our “Snorkel World 300” event.”

Siyam World - snorkeling record 3

Siyam World - snorkeling record 4

Siyam World - snorkeling record 2

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Best of the Maldives: Coconut Feast – Veligandu

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Veligandu - coconut day

For the complete coconut experience Veligandu welcomed chef Cristian Marino to craft a completely coconut experience to celebrate World Coconut Day this past year.

“To honor this day, Chef Cristian Marino created a special culinary journey for guests at the resort. The menu was simple in concept yet rich in flavor:

  • Fresh island salad, where the bite of vegetables met the delicate crunch of grated coconut
  • Coconut rice, creamy, fragrant, almost velvety — a dish that carried the perfume of the tropics
  • Local fish with coconut sauce, blending sea and tradition in one dish.
  • coconut brownies, a nod to comfort food with a Maldivian twist.

The dining room itself joined the celebration. Palms and coconuts were used as decoration, with tropical flowers set between the buffet stations. It was not just a menu but an atmosphere, an experience shaped around one ingredient.”

He talked about his experience in the Maldives on his own blog as well – Experience Sabato Italiano: An Italian Dinner in the Maldives – Cristian Marino.

Veligandu - coconut chef

Velignadu - coconut

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