To add to its collection of colorful Best Ofs, Oaga dazzles with a rainbow of hues even at night.
Best of the Maldives: Ducks – Siyam World
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
Best of the Maldives: Overwater Padel Tennis – Meyyafushi
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.”
Best of the Maldives: Ice Cream Bike – Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Santa might be delivering Christmas goodies to all the good little girls and boys tonight, but “DJ” delivers ice cream goodies to everyone all the time at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. He pedals around the property full-time to make sure that a tasty, cold treat is always on hand for the guests. Merry Christmas!
Best of the Maldives: Snorkeling Record – Siyam World
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.”
Best of the Maldives: Turkeys – Siyam World
Happy Thanksgiving! Not a turkey’s favourite day, but not a problem for the gobblers at Siyam World who live the pampered free range life not just with a home on the animal sanctuary, but also able to wander freely around the island (we stumbled upon them at the spa one day – photo at bottom).
Best of the Maldives: Mozzarella – Joy Island
Joy Island also features a home grown ingredient made from milk – mozzarella – used in its extensive Italian station at its buffet restaurant and other outlets.
Best of the Maldives: Coconut Feast – Veligandu
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.
Best of the Maldives: Coconut Seller – Siyam World
On most islands, landscaping staff will readily find a coconut for you direct from the trees, and some resorts have special stands to serve up free coconut, but at Siyam World guest get their coconut the Maldivian way. Coconut stands are the equivalent of the “water cooler” on local islands where locals gather to chat and hang out. Not only does Siyam World have a typical coconut stand, but they also recruited an actual coconut seller from a nearby island who was lured out of retirement to take his trade to the resort.
Best of the Maldives: Mango Chou – Joy Island
When visiting the Maldives, I always a appreciate when the F&B has injected a bit of tropical twist to their often conventional offerings on the buffet spread. I was particularly fond of the Mango Chou at Joy Island featuring my fav tropical fruit.