Elements of Niyama: The Festive Season at Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Nature’s Playground comes alive with nature’s elements – earth, air, water, fire – as well the surreal, the sensual, and the out of this world this Christmas and New Year.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is an immersion in nature in every way – strolling brilliant white sands, swimming balmy ocean, dining in treetops, and spa-ing overlooking the Indian Ocean. This year, this natural beauty – already beyond imagination – becomes ethereal, layered with the exotic of the four elements.

The season begins with traditional Christmas magic – a sparkly tree, carols, a Christmas market with food, drink, arts and crafts, and gifts to buy for loved ones. Christmas Eve is then a decadent affair at fiery Dune, with not just turkey, but also lobster, oysters, exotic game roasting over the fire, while the dessert station overflows with mince pies, stollen, panettone, Christmas pudding and a yule log.

Christmas Day continues with a surprise visit from Santa, who arrives in true Maldivian style on a jet ski bearing gifts. Next is lunch, decidedly untraditional with a six-course testing menu served six metres under the ocean’s surface at Subsix: while the cuisine is exquisite, the company is surreal, with schools of butterflyfish and sea turtles surrounding.

The following days are filled with unbridled indulgence in the form of chef dinners with celebrity stars, mixologist shaking cocktails, rum and reggae nights, Latin spice, and underwater glow parties. Nothing compares, though, to the extravaganza of New Year’s Eve, the non-stop party beginning at sundown. Cocktails will be served on the beach, followed by a Gala Dinner. Performers flown in from around the world will entertain with dazzling dance and daring acrobatics. As the clock strikes midnight, the fireworks are let loose, as is the champagne to toast with. The dancing then continues until dawn, fuelled by the hypnotic beats of the DJ.

Throughout the festive season, as always, Niyama will bustle with activity. While adults can enjoy movement classes, training with World Fitness champs and tennis pros, and holistic healing at the sanctuary Drift spa, little ones are kept occupied with gingerbread making, fun and games at the Maldives’ most exciting kids’ club.

For more information or reservations, visit niyama.com, call +960 676 2828 or email reservations@niyama.com