Soneva Fushi Maldives

Soneva Fushi is located on the private island of Kunfunadhoo in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. At 1,400 by 400 metres, it is one of the Maldives’ largest island resorts.

The original luxury desert island hideaway in the Maldives, inspires the imagination with 63 luxury beachfront villas and eight Water Retreats, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms.

The Maldives is an all-season destination, with a tropical climate, sunshine-filled days and temperatures averaging 30°C all year round. Diving is good at any time of the year, however the monsoon season (May-October) is the best season for manta rays and other marine life due to the higher quantities of plankton.

LUXURY VILLAS
Our villas at Soneva Fushi are located on the sunset or sunrise side of the island. While both sides have the Maldives’ signature white-sand beaches and crystal clear azure waters, there are a few differences.

SUNSET SIDE
This side has three house reef access points and dolphins are more likely to be spotted in the channel.On this side of the island it is possible to see our neighbouring island, Eydhafushi, approximately 650 metres away. Guests who want more privacy may consider staying on the sunrise side of the island.

SUNRISE SIDE
Enjoy virtually unimpeded views out to sea, as Maalhos, the closest neighbouring island on this side, is just a speck on the horizon. This side is perfect for early risers who want to enjoy the morning tranquillity.

PRIVATE RESERVE
Our largest villa, the Private Reserve offers everything from a children’s room and water slide, to a private spa area, sauna and gym. Our vision of a desert-island mansion is realised on an oceanic scale in this beach-side villa. Escape to a world of jungle fantasies with the palm-frond roofs, woven ropes and tree branch banisters.

Relax on the vast deck in the heart of the massive swimming pool, or indulge in the sauna or steam room without leaving this forested mansion. Host dinners in your sunken dining area or spend the day lazing in and around the lagoon-like pool.

JUNGLE RESERVE
Nestled in the jungle, this Reserve comes with a spa suite, gym, library and wine cellar – the ideal way to experience island life. Surrounded by unspoiled nature, this immense Reserve has three sumptuous bedrooms, sweeping terraces, huge open-air garden bathrooms, an indoor lounge with a dining table for up to 10 and a separate outdoor sunken dining area.

There is also an in-villa wine cellar, full kitchen, library and a private spa suite with couple’s treatment room, gym, sauna and steam facilities.

1 BEDROOM WATER RETREAT 
Whether perched at the top of the undulating slide or gazing up at the stars, this retreat is all about those postcard-perfect views. Accessed from the main island by a curved jetty, the 1 Bedroom Water Retreat with Slide is perched directly over the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. With chic and understated décor inspired by the sea, the expansive villa features a light-filled, spacious living area, with nearby pantry and minibar.

DINING
Discover all of our dining destinations and experiences at Soneva Fushi and on the untouched islands surrounding us. Our Hosts are happy to customise each experience for a special occasion, celebration or simply just because.

FRESH IN THE GARDEN
Mediterranean, Organic, Vegetarian and Plant-based. Dine high above our gardens, where the aromas of the herbs waft up from below. The central open kitchen gives you front-row seats to the action. Choose to sit under cover or beneath the starry night sky. Open all week for dinner

OUT OF THE BLUE
Asian and International. Dine on Vietnamese, Japanese and Indonesian cuisine, salads, grilled meats and seafood. This area also includes: So Hot – a robata grill, josper grill and pizza area; So Guilty – the chocolate and ice cream parlours; and So Cheesy – our cheese room. Open all week for lunch and dinner

ONCE UPON A TABLE
International. A culinary theatre showcasing some of the biggest names in fine dining. There is no menu, allowing the creativity and skills of the chef to take centre stage. Seats eight

SO HANDS ON
Japanese. Our sushi counter sees some of the world’s best sushi masters behind its sake-polished Japanese pine, known as ‘hinoki’, counter top. The intimate five-seater sushi counter lets you experience the chef’s dextrous skills up close. Open for lunch and dinner on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

MIHIREE MITHAA
Take your pick from a bountiful buffet, offering freshly cut fruits, baked goodies, a salad room, wood-fired pizzas, and Soneva’s ubiquitous ice cream and chocolate rooms.

SO BESPOKE
Culinary showmanship with unending vistas of the Baa Atoll and beyond. So Bespoke, Soneva Fushi’s open-air Teppanyaki table, is headed by Chef Gede Sujana.

DOWN TO EARTH BY RAVI
The practice of sharing food is a primal bonding ritual. We sought to recreate this intimacy with dishes made for sharing.

SHADES OF GREEN 
Chef Carsten Kyster celebrates the garden with five-course Maldivian and Southeast Asian with Nordic cooking techniques menus. The evening begins with a tour of the garden.

BY THE BAR
A serene oasis of calm, ideal for relaxing, the bar has one of the best selections of cocktails, spirits and liqueurs in the Maldives.

THE BAR AND CELLAR
Take your pick from our beverage encyclopedia, including a collection of more than 200 high-end wines by the glass, as well as beers, spirits, juices, tea and coffee.

SO DELICATE
Choose from our extensive selection of gourmet hams, cold cuts, cheeses and preserves – ideal for a pre-dinner tasting session. So Delicate is complimentary all day long.

SO GUILTY
Live your own Willy Wonka fantasy with never-ending chocolates, truffles, pralines, and more in an assortment of flavours.

SO COOL
Indulge your sweet tooth with over 60 rotating flavours of homemade ice creams and sorbets. Try the classics or get adventurous with flavours like: coconut and avocado; strawberry, aged balsamic and green olive; and noni and hibiscus.

DESTINATION DINING
Dream up your own menus with our executive chef, and have your meal set out on our sandbank, deep in the jungle or in your villa. The choice is yours.

IN VILLA DINING
Take advantage of your tropical living spaces with breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night treats all in the privacy of your villa. Choose from our extensive In-Villa Dining Menu or ask one of our chefs to create a bespoke menu for you.

SPECIAL DIETS
Be your needs allergy-related or rooted in your religion or culture, we can cater to your dietary requirements. Don’t hesitate to let us know of any special preparations (plant-based, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut allergies, low-carb, etc.) that you need in advance.

WILDLIFE EXPLORER 
Specially designed for Young Sonevians and their families, this immersive experience lets them get up close to the wildlife that calls Kunfunadhoo island their home. Learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit the island, their names in Dhivehi, stories about them and learn how to spot animal tracks. Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

SIX SENSES SPA
From soothing scrubs to Tibetan hot stones, we invite you to embark on sensory treatments from near and far. A revolving residency of visiting practitioners adds to the spa’s collection of treatments with their respective forms of expertise.

SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS 
Join us as we search for the enigmatic, graceful, inquisitive and charismatic manta rays in the waters of the Baa Atoll. If the conditions are right, we will go to Hanifaru Bay, located only 20 minutes by speedboat from Soneva Fushi, which has one of the world’s largest population of manta rays.

When time and tide align, fortunate snorkellers get to observe and capture a rolling, whirling feast where it may be possible to see hundreds of these large, yet harmless, creatures congregate to gorge themselves in the plankton-rich waters.

There are also several other locations close to Soneva Fushi where manta sightings are common, so the exact itinerary of the trip may vary to maximize the chance of seeing these magnificent creatures.

If mantas cannot be seen on the trip, the Marine Biologists will lead an underwater discovery tour to showcase the stunning scenery of the marine life in the Baa Atoll. Duration: 1.5 – 3 hours

SONEVA’S SCIENCE COURSES
We are delighted to introduce you to the Soneva Academy, which offers educational courses to children and teenagers (aged 12 and up) at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. All our courses consist of four modules (3 sessions and one exam). The certification level takes young Sonevians from junior to expert, adding a new dimension to their schooling.

ADVENTURE OF THE CORBIN
Learn how to navigate on land and on the ocean with this special course developed just for teenagers. The Corbin is a ship that sank on the Goidhoo Atoll’s reef in 1602. Stay on the island of Innafushi to learn about the sea, its currents, tides, and the methods of navigation.

MARINE LIFE
The Marine Life of the Maldives course dives beneath the waves to discover the coral reefs, the marine animals that call them home, the threats they face and what we can do to help.

THE NIGHT SKY 
The Night Sky in the Maldives goes beyond our atmosphere to identify the different cosmic objects, what they are, and how they fit into the grand scheme of the universe.

MOSQUITOES BORNE DESEASES 
Mosquitoes and Mosquito-borne Diseases delves into the effects of mosquitoes on the world’s population, how it affects our lives, and what we can do to protect ourselves from the diseases they transmit.

SUNSET DOLPHIN CRUISE
Get ready for one of the most fascinating experiences of your holiday; watching dozens of playful dolphins in the light of the setting sun. While you cruise into deeper waters, you will be served a selection of canapés and a flute of Champagne.

ASTRONOMICAL DINNER CRUISE
This incredible experience begins at late sunset, featuring a four-course meal with wine pairings. Our resident Astronomer will guide you through the wonders that stare back at you across the night sky, sharing secrets of the cosmos. Duration 4 – 5 hours

CASTAWAY PICNIC
Let us whisk you away to one of our lush, uninhabited islands for a true castaway experience. Hop aboard our boat and sail to the island with your picnic basket and snorkel gear where you will be left to enjoy your day in the sun. Duration: 4 – 5 hours

FISHING
Embark on an ocean adventure with Soneva Fushi’s Maldivian fisherman, Rocket, and his family to learn how to fish sustainably with the Fishing is a Family Matter experience.

Rocket has been supplying fish to Soneva Fushi since it was in construction, he knows what the chefs need and knows where to find the fish. After fishing, guests can have their catch of the day prepared for them back at the resort using Rocket’s wife’s marinade recipe. Starting at 17:30. Dinner is served at 19:30

PRIVATE SANDBANK DINNER
Treat yourself to a memorable dinner on our private sandbank​ set in the middle of the Indian Ocean. After meeting with you, our executive chef will design a bespoke menu to suit your palate and your Hosts will set up a beautiful table at the water’s edge.

PRIVATE SANDBANK OVERNIGHT
Spend a romantic night camping under the Maldivian skies on your own private sandbank in a luxurious Bedouin-style tent, which even comes with its own bathroom. Make your way to a candlelit dinner, set up by personal attendants before they depart to allow you to experience the unspoiled island. Breakfast will be delivered at a pre-arranged time of your choice.

SLOW LIFE JOURNEY 
Delve into our philosophy that places sustainability at its core when you tour Soneva Fushi’s Eco Centro and organic gardens at Fresh in the Garden. See the many ways that we use island-grown coconuts for food and materials, while also gaining an in-depth understanding of the principles of permaculture before picking greens and herbs for your lunch which will be prepared to your liking.

SONU’S PICNIC 
Take your castaway experience to another level, and try Sonu’s favourite – lunch on a desert island prepared by your own personal chef. Dip yourself in the crystal clear blue lagoon with our in-house snorkelling guide while your chef prepares gourmet temptations in the most romantic of settings.

PRIVATE CINEMA PARADISO
Kick your feet up and lie back on the cushioned lounger with your family as you catch your favourite classics at Cinema Paradiso, our outdoor movie theatre. The waves lapping the shore, the gentle rustle of the trees and the glimmering night sky will only add to the experience. An additional option of a barbecue dinner served during the movie is available at an extra charge.

THE DEN
Our Den is a technology-free zone, where we encourage all our young guests to learn, play, discover nature, and let their creativity and curiosity run wild. To ensure everyone is engaged in their activities we ask you to make sure their phones and tablets are left in your villa before they come to The Den.

GLASSBLOWING CLASS
Enjoy the truly rare experience of learning how to blow glass in Soneva Fushi’s Art & Glass Studio. Our experienced team of glass specialists work very closely with our guests to create their very own masterpiece to take home.

All works created at the Art & Glass Studio are made using recycled glass bottles from Soneva Fushi and other nearby resorts. A personalized tour of the Soneva Art Gallery and the Soneva Glass Boutique is available upon request.

COMPLIMENTARY WATER SPORTS
We offer a range of complimentary non-motorised water sports at Soneva Fushi. This includes kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and catamaran sailing. Private tuition is available at an additional charge on an hourly basis.

DIVING
The Soleni Dive Centre’s multi-lingual PADI instructors and small group sizes ensure you world-class diving experiences. Choose from a number of diving courses and equipment is available to rent.

ECO FRIENDLY SURFING
Discover less chartered and secret surf breaks in the Baa and Noonu Atoll accompanied by our experienced surf instructor/guides. All surf breaks are accessible within a 5-35 minute speedboat ride. Surf season is dependent on Mother Nature’s mood, although it does peak from May through to September.

Waves range from waist to head height. All of our equipment is eco-friendly and made from recycled waste, making us the first fully sustainable surfing programme in the world.

We encourage our guests to leave their equipment at home. We provide full usage of our eco friendly and sustainable surfboards, sunscreen, and rash guards. All items (except for surfboards) are also available for retail.

eFOIL, eSURFF & SEABOB
Experience the ocean with complete freedom. Gliding, diving, skimming – all of this is possible with a SEABOB. Learn to move through the water like a fish, on the surface and beneath the waves. The SEABOB is environmentally friendly, moving powerfully and almost silently as you explore the marine world.

eFoils use an advanced battery to power a silent electric motor that is mounted on an all-carbon fibre hydrofoil, which can be controlled with a wireless Bluetooth hand controller. Riders, from beginners to those already skilled on a board, can fly for over an hour of fun at speeds of up to 40km per hour!

What happens if you fit a surfboard with a motor? You get an eSurf-board with a carbon fibre body that is hydrodynamic and stable. The board also houses the motor, and you control the handheld throttle. The eSurf lets you get up to speeds of 56km per hour, making this an exhilarating water sport.