Soneva Secret, Makunudhoo Atoll; The Maldives' Most Exclusive Private Island Retreat
Where the horizon whispers secrets only the ocean knows.
In the Maldives' most remote atoll, discover a sanctuary where barefoot luxury meets absolute privacy, thirty years of visionary hospitality distilled into an intimate collection of fourteen extraordinary villas.
Soneva Secret, Makunudhoo Atoll; The Maldives' Most Exclusive Private Island Retreat
Soneva Secret unveils a new pinnacle of personalized luxury in the westernmost reaches of the Maldives.
Set upon a pristine island in the untouched Makunudhoo Atoll, this intimate resort represents the culmination of three decades of barefoot luxury expertise.
With only fourteen beach and overwater villas, including pioneering Crusoe Retreats accessible solely by boat, each residence becomes a self-contained paradise staffed by dedicated Barefoot Guardians, personal chefs, and wellness therapists.
Here, no other island interrupts the infinite blue horizon, creating an unparalleled sense of castaway tranquility where every moment unfolds according to your rhythm alone.
Thirty Years in the Making, Where Intimacy Meets Infinite Horizons
Soneva Secret emerges as the crowning achievement of visionary hospitality pioneers Sonu and Eva Shivdasani.
This is barefoot luxury elevated to its most refined expression, where architectural poetry meets oceanographic wonder, where ancient wellness wisdom converges with contemporary innovation.
Each villa exists as a floating world unto itself, with retractable roofs revealing star-scattered skies, waterslides plunging into crystalline lagoons, and infinity pools that dissolve into endless ocean.
The architecture honors nature's supremacy, villas embrace centuries-old trees rather than displacing them, driftwood-clad interiors echo the island's organic beauty, and open-air sanctuaries invite the elements to become part of your daily ritual. This is the ultimate expression of intelligent luxury, thoughtful, sustainable, and transformative.
Fourteen Villas, One Atoll, Limitless Possibilities; The Ultimate Castaway Experience
- • Location: Makunudhoo Atoll
- • Villa Count: Only 14 ultra-luxury villas; Beach Hideaways, Overwater Hideaways, and Crusoe Villas accessible by boat
- • Personalized Service: Barefoot Guardian, Barefoot Assistant, and private Chef de Cuisine available 24/7
- • Villa Features: Private infinity pools, spa treatment rooms, and in-villa pantries
- • Sustainability: Entirely solar-powered resort
- • Access: 65-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, Male
- • Developer: Soneva Group
- • Interior Design: Eva Malmström Shivdasani, Creative Director
- • Marine Experiences: Home to the "Big Five" marine life, including manta rays, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and migrating whales
A Symphony of Bespoke Experiences, From Starlit Observatories to Underwater Ballets
Where every amenity becomes an unforgettable experience, and service transcends expectation to become invisible artistry in motion.
Culinary journeys unfold entirely on your terms, with six distinct dining venues, including Out of This World, a castaway tower reached by zipline, where wine cellars and astronomical observatories merge beneath dramatic island skies.
Private chefs masterfully prepare menus spanning ten international cuisines, while destination dining transforms beaches into candlelit stages and floating platforms into intimate oceanside tables for two.
Soneva Soul wellness sanctuary offers integrative therapies blending ancient wisdom with modern science, private yoga pavilions, meditation spaces, and in-villa treatment rooms where healing rituals unfold to the rhythm of waves.
The Den children's club sparks imagination through marine biology workshops, kite-making, and cultural immersion, while complementary experiences range from private stargazing sessions to catamaran sailing, whisky tastings to guided snorkeling with resident manta rays.
Water sports center, marine biology excursions, dive site exploration, cultural village visits, and curated workshops in jewelry design, mixology, and island crafts complete an experience where luxury means choice, privacy, and the freedom to craft each day exactly as you envision.
The World's Most Remote Paradise: Where Civilization Fades Into Endless Ocean
• Velana International Airport, Male — 65-minute seaplane journey
• Manta Ray Cleaning Stations — 2-minute boat ride
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll — Neighboring atoll
• Makunudhoo Local Island — Cultural immersion experience
• Pristine Dive Sites — Surrounding unexplored reefs
• Open Ocean Horizons — Complete visual isolation
• Hanifaru Bay — Seasonal manta ray and whale shark aggregation site
Soneva
Soneva was born from a vision shared by husband-and-wife founders Sonu Shivdasani OBE and Eva Malmström Shivdasani.
In 1995, they opened Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, creating the world's first barefoot luxury resort and forever changing how travelers experience paradise. Their "No Shoes, No News" philosophy proved that true luxury means reconnecting with nature, not escaping from it.
Sonu, an Oxford-educated hotelier honored for his contributions to sustainable tourism, brings uncompromising standards and environmental vision to every property.
Eva, a former international model turned creative director, infuses each resort with her distinctive aesthetic, organic materials, natural light, and spaces that celebrate the beauty of their surroundings.
Together, they've built a legacy spanning three decades and three extraordinary properties: Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, and now Soneva Secret.
Each resort reflects its deep commitment to environmental stewardship, pioneering initiatives from complete plastic elimination to carbon-neutral operations, proving that luxury and sustainability can exist in perfect harmony.