Holiday Inn Kandooma Hosts Active Escapes and F45 Festival in 2025
Wednesday 16th of April 2025
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will once again be the tropical backdrop for two major fitness retreats in 2025. The Active Escapes retreat returns from 27 April to 4 May, while the newly announced F45 Festival will take place from 22 to 29 September 2025.
The Active Escapes programme is known for combining fitness with travel, offering participants a chance to stay active while enjoying the beauty of a private island setting. The retreat includes a mix of group workouts, water sports, and wellness activities, designed for a broad range of fitness levels.
The F45 Festival, newly added to the annual line-up, is a highlight of the Active Escapes calendar. Based on the popular F45 training method, the workouts mix high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional fitness. Each 45-minute session can burn between 400–600 calories.
These retreats are built around variety. Guests can take part in water activities like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and shark snorkelling, alongside Maldives reef boat trips and free scuba diving. Wellness-focused sessions such as yoga, breathwork, and ice baths provide balance and recovery.
The programme also includes time to relax and enjoy the island — from spa treatments at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, to live music, themed parties, and even open mic nights. Guests can choose to fully engage or select activities at their own pace, with sessions tailored for different levels of intensity.
Retreat packages include:
7 nights’ accommodation
Daily brunch and dinner (except arrival day)
Speedboat transfers from Malé International Airport
Group fitness classes and yoga
Choice of water activities
Snorkelling trips and free scuba sessions
Access to evening entertainment and social events
Photo package and welcome gift pack
The retreats attract a diverse international crowd, particularly solo travellers. Globally, about half of Active Escapes participants travel alone. Most guests fall between the ages of 20 and 40, though the retreats occasionally welcome guests in their 50s and beyond.
Confirmed hosts for the 2025 F45 Festival include Alice Evans, Cristina Chan, and John Karpathakis, all of whom bring experience from previous fitness events.
Pricing starts at USD 2,800 per person (twin share) and USD 3,700 for single occupancy, excluding international flights. Guests can choose to upgrade to a Beach House or Overwater Villa for an added fee. A USD 400 deposit is required to secure a booking, with payment plans available to spread the remaining balance across multiple instalments.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma offers a range of room types and encourages early booking, as package prices may increase as the event dates approach. All prices are quoted in US dollars and are subject to local taxes and the Maldives’ mandatory green fees.
The return of Active Escapes and the launch of the F45 Festival further position Kandooma Maldives as a destination that blends tropical relaxation with energising, purpose-driven travel. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast, a solo traveller looking to connect, or simply curious to try something different, these retreats offer a new way to experience the Maldives.