Stars will quite literally take centre stage this festive season as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort unveils a celestial programme that fuses luxury hospitality with the growing allure of astrotourism. From December to January, guests can revel in the southern hemisphere’s brilliant night skies through guided experiences, gourmet pairings, and a setting uniquely suited to stargazing.
Perched at the southern tip of the Raa Atoll, the resort enjoys minimal light pollution and unobstructed 360-degree ocean horizons, creating natural observatory conditions few destinations can match. Its near-equatorial position allows visitors to view both northern and southern sky highlights in a single evening. For travellers seeking moments of quiet wonder away from the world’s neon glow, the island’s remoteness becomes part of the appeal.
Under a Clear December Sky
December offers ideal viewing conditions, coinciding with monsoon transitions that typically produce clearer skies and a crispness to the atmosphere. Guests can expect to spot prominent constellations such as Orion and Canis Major alongside Canopus, one of the brightest stars in the southern sky. Depending on the evening, the subtle streaks of the Ursid meteor shower may cut across the darkness, adding an unplanned spectacle to the structured sessions.
Resident astronomer Aleks leads the programme, combining scientific expertise with an ability to tell the ancient stories behind the stars. Guests learn to trace the outlines of mythological hunters, canines, and queens across the firmament while also gaining a deeper appreciation for dark-sky conservation and how light pollution threatens these views worldwide.
Fine Dining Amongst the Stars
The celestial calendar offers multiple ways to experience the night sky. Group sessions invite like-minded travellers to gather on the sand for guided exploration, while private consultations provide a more intimate journey for couples or families. Children can join interactive workshops where constellation charts double as treasure maps.
Fine dining becomes part of the night’s theatre. Guests might linger over a Champagne and Constellation Dinner, where a multi-course menu takes its cues from the cosmos, from the dark-chocolate ‘nebula’ desserts, cocktails dusted with edible starlight, and the hush of waves as a soundtrack.
Starlight and Spirits invites toasts timed to shooting stars, pairing select vintages with celestial events overhead. For those with a sweet tooth or a taste for indulgence, the Celestial Dessert Degustation and Champagne & Caviar Under the Stars round out an evening that engages every sense.
Curated Collection of Festive Experiences
The stargazing programme is just one thread in a festive programme designed to delight every kind of traveller. Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens brings his culinary genius to the island with an exclusive residency, offering masterclasses and tasting menus that surprise and inspire.
Guests can also lose themselves in ocean-inspired art classes with UK artist Florence Super, whose sessions draw on the shifting colours and textures of the surrounding seascape, or indulge in personalised physiotherapy with Emma Diani, a restorative pause between celebrations.
Families are invited to join the playful world of Sharky & George, whose imaginative entertainment transforms the island into a stage for adventure. Add live music under the stars, twilight beach gatherings, and thoughtfully curated wellness rituals, and the resort’s festive calendar becomes a living, breathing experience where every guest, whether in search of quiet reflection, creative expression, or sheer spectacle, can find their own rhythm of celebration.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau taps into a growing desire among travellers for experiences that stir both the mind and the heart. Today’s luxury guests seek holidays that leave them with stories worth sharing and moments that linger long after the journey ends.