Kandima Maldives has strengthened its reputation for experience-led island holidays through Summer Kamp 2026, bringing together international sporting talent, family entertainment, music, creative activities and environmental awareness as the resort continues to expand the range of experiences available to travellers visiting the Maldives.
Built around the themes of “Play, Create, Move,” this year’s Summer Kamp has placed particular emphasis on football, coinciding with heightened global interest in the sport. Kandima welcomed freestyle football world champion Lia Lewis, fellow freestyle football talent Nolan Cacheux and Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo, offering guests an opportunity to engage directly with internationally recognised sporting personalities during their stay in the Maldives.
Much of the sporting activity centred around PlaySpace, Kandima’s dedicated social hub for sport, gaming and entertainment. Throughout the summer, the venue provided a gathering place for families, teenagers and active travellers, combining recreational activities, entertainment and casual dining experiences. The venue also became the centre of the resort’s football-themed programming through its World Cup Watch Party, bringing guests together around one of the world’s most widely followed sports.
Freestyle football world champion couple Lia Lewis and Nolan Cacheux delivered a beachside showcase featuring freestyle techniques and skills, followed by an interactive masterclass for resort guests. Holidaymakers of different ages were able to participate directly and learn football techniques alongside the internationally recognised performers, transforming the programme from a spectator event into an engaging guest experience.
Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo also took part in Kandima’s Summer Kamp programme, joining guests and resort team members for a football friendly during his stay. Bernardo additionally made appearances around the island, allowing guests further opportunities to interact with the professional footballer away from the formal sporting programme.
Football has increasingly become part of Kandima’s broader active lifestyle offering, with Lewis, Cacheux and Bernardo joining a growing list of prominent international football personalities who have visited the resort. Italian striker Mario Balotelli visited Kandima earlier this year, while other football figures associated with the island have included goalkeeper Ederson, currently with Fenerbahçe and formerly of Manchester City, Liverpool players Joe Gomez and Daniel Agger, and former Manchester United defender Wes Brown.
The participation of internationally recognised athletes adds another dimension to Kandima’s guest experience while contributing to the wider visibility of the Maldives as a destination capable of offering significantly more than traditional beach holidays. Programmes combining recreation, entertainment and access to international personalities complement ongoing efforts across the Maldivian tourism industry to appeal to families, younger travellers and experience-focused international markets.
Kandima has also incorporated music into its summer activities, with dedicated lessons for younger guests conducted under the guidance of the resort’s musical talent. The sessions give children an opportunity to explore rhythm, expression and performance while adding an educational and creative dimension to family holidays at the resort.
Alongside sport and entertainment, environmental awareness and Maldivian creativity remain important components of Kandima’s programming. The resort’s Art for Biodiversity Exhibition, developed through its long-running KULA Art Initiative and supported by a grant from the United Nations Development Programme, is taking Summer Kamp 2026 into its concluding phase.
The island-wide exhibition has transformed areas of the resort into an accessible art trail and is scheduled to remain available into early October. The initiative brings art into Kandima’s natural island environment while using creative expression to encourage conversations around biodiversity, conservation and ocean ecology.
Austrian interdisciplinary artist Petra Maitz, whose work connects contemporary art, science and environmental activism, will undertake an artistic residency at Kandima from 21 September to 5 October 2026. During the residency, Maitz is scheduled to conduct talks and crocheted craft workshops while overseeing the development of a collaborative coral artwork.
The coral-inspired installation will be created through contributions from resort guests, local artists, Kandima team members and members of the wider community. By involving different groups in the creation of the work, the project extends the exhibition beyond a conventional gallery experience and turns the resort itself into a participatory creative environment.
The Art for Biodiversity Exhibition also forms part of a wider effort under the KULA Art Initiative to connect Maldivian creativity with conservation funding and community support. Through artistic storytelling and guest participation, the programme aims to increase awareness of biodiversity and marine ecology while demonstrating how tourism, creativity and environmental responsibility can complement one another.
Kandima’s approach reflects the increasing diversification of the Maldivian tourism product, with resorts continuing to introduce cultural, sporting, educational and environmental experiences alongside the country’s established natural attractions. Such initiatives help reinforce the Maldives’ position as a globally competitive destination capable of serving a broad range of international travellers while creating additional opportunities to showcase local creativity and conservation priorities.
Summer Kamp 2026 has also kept guests active across the wider island through the Kandima Running Club, tennis, diving and a variety of water sports organised by the resort’s Aquaholics team. Together, these activities have enabled visitors to create highly personalised itineraries combining recreation, family time, sport, creativity and exploration throughout their stay.
Kandima intends to carry this programming into the autumn season through “Oktober Adventures,” which will introduce further residencies featuring talent from tennis, karting and football. The upcoming programme represents the next stage of the resort’s island-wide entertainment strategy, with additional details expected to be announced.
The resort is meanwhile offering travellers an opportunity to book future stays through its Flash Sale, with discounts of up to 55 percent on room rates for eligible stays this summer or next summer when reservations are made directly through Kandima.
Through its combination of internationally recognised sporting personalities, family experiences, creative programmes, environmental initiatives and recreational activities, Kandima Maldives is continuing to broaden the traditional resort experience. The programme further strengthens the Maldives’ appeal to global travellers seeking immersive and varied island holidays while supporting the country’s positive international image as a dynamic, innovative and diverse tourism destination.
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