Maldives

Inaugural four-day multidisciplinary celebration featuring Rupi Kaur, Kim Turnbull, Wagyumafia, and other international creatives across art, wellness, and cuisine.

Fari Islands Festival 2025 debuts across Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands from September 19–22, 2025, transforming the North Malé Atoll archipelago into a four‑day celebration of music, art, gastronomy, wellness, and ocean culture set around Fari Marina Village and landmark artworks like James Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta. The inaugural edition brings together global headliners and regional “Fari Voices” for immersive programming that flows between both resorts, with confirmed dates, program pillars, and headline talent now published by the destination and resort partners. Packages and early booking offers are live, including a festival stay with 15% savings at Patina Maldives when reserved by mid‑September, ensuring seamless access to the island‑spanning schedule.

Dates, place, and festival concept

• Dates: Friday–Monday, September 19–22, 2025.
• Location: Fari Islands Archipelago, North Malé Atoll, hosted across Patina Maldives and The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, with shared programming centered at Fari Marina Village and signature venues such as EAU Bar and Fari Beach Club.
• Vision: A first‑of‑its‑kind cultural gathering for the Maldives, curated around five pillars that define the daily cadence — Culinary Artistry, Sonic Immersion, Nature Amplified, Body, Mind & Soul, and Creative Artistry — with guests free‑flowing between resorts for performances, residencies, talks, and experiential dining.

Headliners, artists, and special guests

• Music: Multi‑instrumentalist FKJ leads the closing night’s Fari Marina Fiesta with a live set that blends funk, jazz, and electronic textures, while NTS Radio regular Kim Turnbull curates multi‑genre sets and guest bar takeovers at EAU Bar and Fari Beach Club to shape the islands’ sonic identity over the long weekend.
• Literary performance: Poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur appears in intimate readings and site‑specific performances, including an opening program at James Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta and a finale segment beneath the stars, underscoring the festival’s cross‑disciplinary ethos.
• Culinary: Tokyo’s WAGYUMAFIA, founded by chef Hisato Hamada, arrives for a rare Maldives residency with hyper‑limited, one‑night‑only dining at The Ritz‑Carlton’s IWAU on September 20 for just two couples, translating the brand’s invite‑only wagyu ritual to the Indian Ocean for the first time.
• Cocktail culture: Award‑winning bars Nutmeg & Clove and Danico headline guest takeovers, remixing island botanicals into story‑driven cocktail menus that anchor evening socials and after‑parties across the beach clubs and marina.

Daily rhythm and signature moments

Programming is designed to move from slow, grounding mornings into exploratory afternoons and celebratory evenings, encouraging presence, connection, and discovery in equal measure. Expect breathwork and movement in Bamford‑curated wellness sessions at sunrise, marine expeditions and conservation workshops by National Geographic Explorer Gibbs Kuguru with the Olive Ridley Project by day, and curated soundtracks with headliner performances and chef collaborations after dark. A published highlights matrix points to three anchor nights: Rupi Kaur’s opening at Skyspace Amarta on Sept 19, Kim Turnbull with dual bar takeovers at EAU Bar on Sept 20, and the closing Fari Marina Fiesta headlined by FKJ with a poetic coda from Kaur on Sept 21.

Nature, wellness, and conscious travel

Nature Amplified is a defining pillar, bringing hands‑on encounters with the archipelago’s reefs and megafauna into the festival canvas through guided snorkels, shark science briefings, and sea turtle conservation programming in partnership with on‑island NGOs and explorers. Body, Mind & Soul layers in Bamford rituals and integrative therapies led by guest practitioners, with wellness lunches by Rosemary Ferguson and daily restorative practices that align with the islands’ slower rhythm. These elements add depth to the celebration while situating every guest experience in the Maldives’ fragile and extraordinary marine context.

Festival offers and how to attend

• Bookings: Festival‑themed stay packages are available at Patina Maldives with 15% savings for bookings made by Sept 15, designed to bundle access with transportation between hubs and priority seating at select events; inventory is limited for headliner moments, especially chef residencies and micro‑audience performances.
• Access: The Fari Islands model allows guests staying at either Patina Maldives or The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives to cross between properties for scheduled programs at the marina, beach clubs, and partner venues, with a central calendar guiding day‑by‑day choices.
• Limited seats: Ultra‑limited experiences like WAGYUMAFIA at IWAU are planned as one‑night‑only dining for two couples; interested guests should liaise with resort concierges immediately to join waitlists or secure confirmations.

Why Fari Islands Festival is different

Rather than a single‑island concert series, the festival treats the archipelago as a cultural campus, bridging two distinct resort philosophies to deliver breadth and intimacy in one place: Patina’s art‑forward, transformational luxury and The Ritz‑Carlton’s heritage‑driven Circle of Life ethos co‑create a fluid guest journey across art, ecology, gastronomy, and sound. The inclusion of works like Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta anchors the lineup in site‑specific art, while Fari Marina Village’s design and programming provide a public square feel rare in the Maldives, intentionally breaking the “one island, one resort” mold to foster community.

Practical planning

• Getting there: Fly into Malé (MLE); transfers to the Fari Islands by speedboat take approximately 45 minutes depending on conditions. Confirm arrival timing with your resort to coordinate same‑day festival access.
• What to pack: Resort‑smart attire for dinners and performances, breathable daywear for snorkels and workshops, reef‑safe sunscreen, and a light layer for breezy evenings at the marina or beach clubs.
• Reservations: Secure spa and wellness slots early during the festival window, and pre‑book high‑demand programs like mixology takeovers and literary readings that may run at micro‑audiences.
• Movement between venues: The festival calendar is structured to minimize overlap of key headliners; even so, leave buffer time to move between EAU Bar, Fari Beach Club, and Marina Village so you do not miss headline transitions.

Sample festival day

• Morning: Bamford breathwork and movement session followed by a guided conservation snorkel with Gibbs Kuguru and the Olive Ridley Project.
• Afternoon: STPI creative workshop or wellness lunch with Rosemary Ferguson; sunset reset at Fari Marina Village with acoustic soundscapes.
• Evening: Cocktail takeovers by Danico and Nutmeg & Clove at EAU Bar flowing into a Kim Turnbull set; optional chef experience or late‑night social at Fari Beach Club.

Insider notes and limited editions

• Beauty and wellness collaborations: The festival week will host special consultations and treatments by visiting experts, such as founder‑led skincare sessions and resident facialist programming, as teased by resort channels for Sept 19–22.
• Art as stage: Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta is not only a sculpture to view but a performance site where poetry, ambient sound, and celestial transitions meet — plan to queue early for capacity‑limited sets.
• Culinary passports: Expect a passport‑style guide to anchor your evenings, with stamp‑worthy stops at bar takeovers and chef residencies that reward completion with bespoke tastings or gifts.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: Fari Islands Festival (inaugural edition).
• Dates: September 19–22, 2025.
• Hosts: Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; programming centered at Fari Marina Village.
• Pillars: Culinary Artistry, Sonic Immersion, Nature Amplified, Body, Mind & Soul, Creative Artistry.
• Highlights: FKJ closing live set at Fari Marina Fiesta; Rupi Kaur opening and finale performances at Skyspace Amarta; Kim Turnbull DJ sets and sound curation; WAGYUMAFIA one‑night residency at IWAU; Nutmeg & Clove and Danico guest takeovers.
• Offers: Patina Maldives festival package with up to 15% savings when booked by Sept 15; limited inventory for ultra‑exclusive dining and micro‑audience performances.

The Maldives has never hosted a cultural gathering quite like this. Reserve your festival stay at Patina Maldives or The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, secure priority for limited‑seat experiences, and build a four‑day journey that moves from sunrise rituals to reef explorations, sunset poetry, and star‑lit concerts. Follow the program updates and lock in the moments that speak to you most — then let the Fari Islands Festival reshape what a Maldivian escape can be, one extraordinary evening at a time.

7-night fitness retreat featuring F45 workouts, yoga, scuba diving, breath work, ice baths, and entertainment.

F45 Festival Kandooma Maldives is confirmed for September 22–29, 2025, delivering a seven‑night, all‑in, fitness‑meets‑island‑escape on Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives’ private island in South Malé Atoll, with daily F45 workouts, ocean adventures, live music, and wellness recovery built into a seamless package that has already sold out for 2025 and is operating a waitlist. Hosted in partnership with Active Escapes, the festival is a headline week on the F45 x Active Escapes calendar, created for travelers who want high‑energy training, community, and tropical downtime in one effortless itinerary, with speedboat transfers, daily brunch and dinner, and signature activities like shark snorkeling and free scuba diving included.

Dates, place, and format

• Dates: Monday–Monday, September 22–29, 2025.
• Location: Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, a private‑island resort in South Malé Atoll with direct speedboat access from Malé (MLE).
• Format: A curated festival week that blends 45‑minute F45 sessions, ocean sessions, yoga, breathwork, ice baths, music, and social programming, with plenty of free time to explore lagoons, sandbars, and spa rituals between workouts.

What’s included in 2025 packages

Festival packages start from US$2,800 per person twin‑share and US$3,700 for a private room, excluding flights, with upgrades available to Beach House and Overwater Villa categories; a US$400 deposit secures a spot, and flexible payment plans are offered up to event week. Inclusions published by the resort and organizer cover:

• Seven nights accommodation on Kandooma.
• Speedboat transfers from Malé International Airport on arrival day.
• Daily brunch and dinner, except on arrival day.
• All F45 workouts and yoga sessions.
• Choice of focus activity: surfing, stand‑up paddleboarding (SUP), or shark snorkeling.
• Maldives reef boat snorkel trip.
• Free scuba diving during the week.
• Breathwork and ice‑bath recovery.
• Live music, DJ nights, open‑mic night, and a themed party day.
• Reverse raffle with prizes, pro photo package, and an Active Escapes welcome pack.
• Note: A mandatory Green Tax of US$6 per person per night is charged by the resort; package prices are subject to local taxes and may increase closer to the event.

The F45 approach in paradise

F45 training merges HIIT, circuit, and functional protocols in coach‑led 45‑minute blocks that can burn roughly 400–600 calories per session, with scalable intensity for beginners through advanced athletes. The festival sets these sessions against a Maldivian backdrop — sunrise warm‑ups over the lagoon, beach‑side burners, and shaded strength circuits — while the rest of the day balances movement with reef adventures, spa time at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, and golden‑hour mixers on the sand.

2025 hosts and lineup

Active Escapes confirms an all‑star F45 athlete team leading the 2025 festival week, including Alice Evans and Cristina Chan, with trainer John Karpathakis named among the confirmed hosts for Kandooma. The organizer’s festival page lists additional athlete hosts who rotate through sessions and social events, ensuring small‑group coaching, meet‑and‑greets, and high visibility at daily workouts and evening gatherings. Expect live music and guest DJ sets woven into the week’s social rhythm, with a dedicated open‑mic night for the community vibe that Active Escapes is known for internationally.

Why Kandooma works for a fitness festival

Kandooma’s footprint makes it a natural campus for F45. The island’s wide sandy beaches, sheltered lagoon, and reef access allow seamless transitions from training blocks to water sessions and recovery, while speedboat transfers remove the layover and seaplane complexity of more remote atolls. The resort’s room mix, from beach villas to overwater suites, lets solo travelers, couples, and friend groups pick their preferred setup and upgrade later if inventory allows. On‑island dive infrastructure supports the free diving perk and shaped snorkel trips, while the COMO Shambhala‑branded spa brings credibility to the recovery pillar with targeted treatments and quiet garden spaces.

A week at a glance

• Day 1 (Arrival): Meet‑and‑greet, island orientation, shakeout mobility session, sunset social.
• Days 2–6: Morning F45 block, ocean activity tracks (surf/SUP/shark snorkel), yoga and breathwork, optional free scuba diving, evening socials with DJs or live acoustic sets; one themed party day and a reverse raffle with prizes mid‑week.
• Day 7: Tapered F45 plus closing social and open‑mic highlights, early night for next‑day departures.
• This scaffold helps guests push during peak sessions, then recover smartly with snorkeling, spa, or silent beach time before music‑forward evenings.

Traveler profile and community

Active Escapes points to a strong solo traveler presence, especially in the 20–40 age range, though couples and small friend groups make up a healthy share of the cohort; coaching teams proactively facilitate connections so first‑timers feel woven in from the first workout. The week’s design invites opt‑in intensity: double‑session days for gym rats and low‑gear days for those who prefer yoga, a reef float, and sunset music before dinner.

Booking status and waitlist

As of late August, the 2025 F45 Festival Kandooma Maldives is sold out and running a waitlist through Active Escapes; guests can register interest for cancellations or roll their enthusiasm into 2026 pre‑registrations now live on the organizer’s site. The event is also highlighted on official Maldives tourism channels and trade outlets, which reiterate the dates and host team while advising prospective guests to secure spots early or join the list for late‑breaking availability.

Practical tips

• Flights and transfers: Book flights into Malé (MLE) to land on Sept 22; the package includes speedboat transfers to Kandooma at any time on arrival day. For departures, morning boats are coordinated to match outbound flights.
• Packing list: Training shoes, beach runners, quick‑dry activewear, reef‑safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, electrolytes, a compact first‑aid/aid kit, and a light layer for breezy evenings. Add fins or mask only if personal fit is critical; quality gear is provided on‑island.
• Nutrition: Brunch and dinner are included daily; plan snacks between workouts and consider bringing favored gels or hydration tabs to suit personal routines. Most dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
• Budgeting: Add US$6 per person per night Green Tax to your room account, factor spa and premium beverage preferences, and consider an upgrade path to an overwater villa for a celebratory finish to the week.
• Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip interruption and adventure activities is recommended for water sports and training days in a remote setting.

Verified details at a glance

• Name: F45 Festival Maldives at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
• Dates: Sept 22–29, 2025.
• Status: Sold out; waitlist available via Active Escapes.
• Hosts: F45 athletes and trainers including Alice Evans, Cristina Chan, and John Karpathakis.
• Price: From US$2,800 twin‑share; US$3,700 private room; US$400 deposit; payment plans available; flights not included; Green Tax US$6 pp/night.
• Inclusions: 7 nights, airport speedboat transfers, brunch and dinner daily (except arrival), all workouts and yoga, surf/SUP/shark snorkel choices, reef snorkel trip, free scuba diving, breathwork and ice baths, live music and DJs, open‑mic night, themed party day, reverse raffle, photo package, welcome pack.

If the idea of sunrise training, midday reef swims, and star‑lit socials speaks to the soul, join the waitlist for Sept 22–29 at Kandooma or pre‑register for 2026 while early‑bird windows are open. Lock in flights to Malé, plan an upgrade if a water villa is on the vision board, and get ready for a week that proves fitness travel can be as restorative as it is exhilarating — with a global crew that feels like teammates by day two.

Public holiday commemorating the conversion to Islam with cultural celebrations and government ceremonies.

The Day Maldives Embraced Islam is observed nationwide on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, as a public holiday that commemorates the islands’ historic conversion to Islam in 1153 CE and honors the spiritual and cultural foundations that continue to shape Maldivian identity today. The date is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar and corresponds to the first day of Rabiʻ al‑Thani in 1447 AH, which government holiday schedules and reputable calendars align with September 24 for 2025, marking a full public holiday across the country.

Date and holiday status

• Official observance: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, listed as “The Day Maldives Embraced Islam” on national holiday calendars and public holiday rosters for Malé.
• Islamic calendar basis: The holiday falls on 1 Rabiʻ al‑Thani, with annual Gregorian dates shifting relative to the lunar cycle; 2025 aligns on September 24.
• Public institutions: Government offices, many private businesses, banks, and schools observe the day as a public holiday, with adjusted hours or closures common across Malé and the atolls.

Historical significance

According to tradition, the Maldives converted to Islam under the guidance of Abu al‑Barakat Yusuf al‑Barbari, a scholar from the Maghreb, who persuaded the Maldivian king, Sri Tribuvana Aditiya, to accept Islam; the king adopted the name Muhammed Ibn Abdulla, after which Islam spread throughout the archipelago via royal patronage and missionary effort. A tomb known as Medhu Ziyaaraiy within Malé’s Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque) is venerated as the resting place of Abu al‑Barakat, symbolically anchoring the story of conversion in the capital’s historic core. Before the 12th century conversion, the Maldives practiced Buddhism for centuries, a past still evident in archaeological remnants on some islands, though Islam is now the state religion and central to national life.

Modern observance and national context

• State religion and identity: Islam is the state religion, and the holiday is framed as a day to reflect on faith, unity, and the values that have bound the nation since conversion, themes frequently highlighted by national leaders in official statements.
• Anniversary arc: Government cultural authorities have noted the approaching 900th anniversary of the conversion in 2026, with plans for grand commemorations that will emphasize language, heritage, and national solidarity in the run‑up to that milestone.
• Civic activities: While there is no singular national parade tradition, the day commonly features mosque-centered gatherings, community programs, Qur’an recitation, and public addresses that stress moral conduct and social cohesion.

What travelers can expect on Sept 24, 2025

• Openings and closures: Expect government offices and many businesses to close. Resorts operate normally, but local-island guesthouses, cafés, and shops may observe shortened hours; plan errands or inter‑island admin tasks for alternate days.
• Banking and ATMs: Banks close; ATMs function but may see heavier usage. Withdraw cash in advance if traveling to local islands on or around the holiday.
• Alcohol and dining: Alcohol is restricted to resort islands; that remains true year-round. On local islands, dining options may operate on reduced hours and with a focus on family and community meals during the holiday.
• Transport: Domestic flights and ferries run, though some schedules can shift for public holidays; confirm departure times and plan extra buffer for transfers.

Cultural etiquette for visitors

• Dress and conduct: When visiting mosques or local-island communities, wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering prayer halls. Photography around worshippers should be discreet and only with permission.
• Respect for prayer times: Friday noon is the primary congregational prayer weekly, but on this holiday, additional worship and community events may occur. Give space around mosque entrances and avoid loud music near religious sites.
• Learn the story: If in Malé, a walk by Hukuru Miskiy and Medhu Ziyaaraiy offers meaningful context; participate respectfully in heritage tours that explain both Islamic and pre‑Islamic layers of Maldivian history.

Planning a meaningful day

• Morning: Visit Malé’s Old Friday Mosque precinct for exterior views of coral-stone architecture and the Medhu Ziyaaraiy tomb area, then step through Sultan Park and the National Museum to trace the islands’ cultural arc from Buddhist artifacts to Islamic period items where available.
• Afternoon: Join a local‑island cultural program if offered by your guesthouse, such as dhivehi language lessons or a cooking class featuring hedhikaa (short eats) and traditional fish-based dishes that reflect everyday Maldivian life.
• Sunset: Observe maghrib from a seaside promenade on a local island or a resort’s quiet shore; many travelers find the cadence of daily prayers an evocative part of understanding Maldivian life.

Year‑to‑year date shifts and how to verify

Because the holiday is fixed to the Hijri calendar, the Gregorian date advances approximately 10–11 days earlier each year. Reputable calendars list the 2025 date as Wednesday, September 24, and note the Islamic basis so planners can anticipate future shifts; travelers should check reliable holiday sources or local announcements each year when booking around late September–October. For 2025, multiple independent listings converge on September 24, strengthening confidence in the exact timing for itinerary needs and service planning.

Why the day matters now

The countdown to the 900th anniversary in 2026 elevates the 2025 observance, as ministries and cultural institutions prepare broader programs to honor Islamic heritage and the national story it underpins. Public messages have focused on social ethics, unity, and the cultivation of moral and civic virtues as living expressions of faith, reinforcing how the holiday functions as both commemoration and call to practice.

Verified details at a glance

• Name: The Day Maldives Embraced Islam.
• 2025 date: Wednesday, September 24 (1 Rabiʻ al‑Thani 1447 AH).
• Type: Public holiday in the Maldives.
• Historical origin: Conversion to Islam in 1153 CE; tradition credits Abu al‑Barakat Yusuf al‑Barbari and King Sri Tribuvana Aditiya, later Muhammed Ibn Abdulla.
• Sites of note: Medhu Ziyaaraiy tomb within Hukuru Miskiy grounds, Malé.
• 900th anniversary: Grand national celebrations anticipated in 2026 per cultural authorities.

If travel plans include the Maldives in late September, embrace the opportunity to learn the story behind this national holiday. Build extra time for bank and office closures, dress modestly for mosque precincts, and follow local guidance to experience a respectful, enlightening day. For 2025, mark Wednesday, September 24 on the calendar, and let the Day the Maldives Embraced Islam deepen the journey with history, meaning, and community insight that lasts well beyond the holiday itself.