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Soneva unveils festive calendar with culinary, experiential stocking fillers
Soneva has unveiled its calendar of events and visiting experts, chefs, athletes and wellness practitioners for the upcoming festive season.
Guests at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in Maldives can indulge their senses with a range of activities, experiences, tastings, culinary events and performances from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day and beyond.
To celebrate the beginning of 2020, Soneva’s iconic New Year’s Eve Journeys are once again taking place at each resort on December 31. Expect winding, torch-lit paths with live cooking stations where guests can sample international flavours and sip on innovative and refreshing cocktail creations.
Magicians, acrobats and musicians provide the entertainment, before the night culminates in a spectacular countdown to the New Year. DJs will be at each resort, spinning tunes into the early morning hours, beginning 2020 with a bang.
This year, each resort will be hosting a Junior MasterChef competition for Soneva’s younger guests to show off their skills in the kitchen. The winner of each competition will take away a Soneva holiday.
Soneva Fushi
Chef Tim Raue from the Netflix show Chef’s Table, who will be visiting Soneva Fushi from December 25, 2019 to January 8, 2020, and Chef Bart de Pooter, who will be at the resort from December 10-23, will heat up the intimate chef’s table, Once Upon a Table, with their renowned cuisine.
Mikael Silvestre and Karina LeBlanc are returning to the resort for the second edition of their Festive Football Camp. From December 20-24, children and teenagers can learn ball skills, strategy, and the psychological and emotional sides of the ‘beautiful game’.
From December 15-26, former world No. 4 men’s singles tennis player, Jonas Björkman will be hosting a limited number of one-on-one coaching sessions for guests.
Lana Murphy, who has won 10 gold medals at the Swedish ballroom dancing championships, returns to Soneva Fushi for complimentary group dance lessons or private lessons for a fee. This year, Lana will be hosting a dancing competition for children and teenagers on New Year’s Eve. Each of the contestants will be given complimentary lessons in the lead up to the competition.
Lovers of history will be able to meet and learn from Oxford’s Professor of Global History and author of ‘The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World’, Peter Frankopan, from December 14-22.
From December 20-28, explore the night skies with Lars Christensen, the award-winning astronomer and science communicator who has been responsible for communication from the Hubble Space Telescope, ALMA, and La Silla, to name a few.
Celebrate Christmas Eve with cocktails on the sandbank, numerous pop-up specialty bars, Champagne and caviar tastings, and wine dinners are perfect for indulgences.
Soneva Fushi’s younger guests can take part in Soneva’s Junior MasterChef competition. Two rounds of contestants will see three from each round making it to the final cook off. The dishes will be judged by none other than Chef Tim Raue (2*), Chef Sobah (a World Chef Association Judge), and Chef Kevin Fawkes (Iron Chef, Thailand). The winner will walk away with a holiday at Soneva.
Soneva Jani
From December 13, 2019 to January 3, 2020, guests can reap the benefits of Roger Moore’s blend of Eastern and Western healing therapies. Roger was named one of the top eight ‘Therapists in the World Worth Travelling For’ in Tatler Traveller’s ‘Little Black Book’. Roger spends his time travelling between Asia and Europe while consulting for private clients, captains of industry and celebrities.
From November 10, 2019 to February 1, 2020, Bill Curry lends his expertise in Reiki, Deep Tissue Fusion massage and meditation to guests, helping them reduce stress and heal.
All guests are encouraged to take part in decorating Soneva Jani’s Christmas tree. Dine in the Dark, Champagne tastings and wine pairings, and degustation menus round out the culinary offerings. A family treasure hunt on the island, sandcastle building, eco-friendly surfing lessons, cooking lessons and more are available to fill the holidays with fun.
World-leading luxury resort operator Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.
Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.
Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO has announced a 9-Hands Dinner event scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 May, offering a curated dining experience as part of its guest programme.
The event will feature a multi-course menu developed by three chefs representing Egypt, Madeira and the Maldives. Each chef will present dishes reflecting their respective culinary backgrounds, combining different techniques and flavour profiles within a single dining concept.
The dinner is positioned as an interactive culinary experience, bringing together elements of storytelling and presentation alongside the menu. According to the resort, the concept is designed to highlight both innovation and traditional influences in cuisine.
The experience will be included within the resort’s plan for in-house guests, forming part of the overall stay offering.
Commenting on the event, General Manager Alain Trefois stated that the initiative reflects the resort’s focus on expanding guest experiences beyond standard dining formats. He noted that the event provides an opportunity for guests to engage with culinary presentation in a structured setting.
Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Core, said the collaboration brings together different culinary influences, combining regional ingredients and techniques into a single dining programme.
Located in North Malé Atoll, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO is known for its house reef and marine environment, offering a range of activities alongside its accommodation and dining options.
The resort has indicated that availability for the 9-Hands Dinner event will be limited, with advance booking recommended for guests wishing to attend.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé collection within the House of Siyam, has announced plans to host a Wellness Week from 15 to 22 June 2026, in conjunction with Global Wellness Week. The programme will be led by international creative and fitness practitioner Ilariia Auvitu.
Ilariia Auvitu, whose background spans multiple countries and disciplines including acting, modelling and fitness, will guide a series of sessions focused on structured wellbeing practices. Her approach combines physical activity with routines aimed at supporting mental balance.
A key component of the programme is the Tech-Free Sunrise Yoga and Breathwork Ritual. The session is designed to provide a period of structured activity without digital devices, with a focus on breath control and guided movement aimed at supporting mental regulation.
The schedule will also include Morning Yoga with Flow sessions, intended to establish physical rhythm and energy for the day. In addition, Pool Fitness sessions will be conducted in the resort’s pool area, offering water-based exercise.
Selected evenings will feature Sunset Pilates and Stretching sessions. These will include low-impact exercises focused on strength and flexibility, followed by guided stretching.
Through the Wellness Week programme, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is offering a series of activities aligned with the observance of Global Wellness Week, combining structured fitness sessions with a setting designed to support rest and recovery.
Baros Maldives has announced “Fully Ocean”, a week-long programme of marine conservation, education and guided activities scheduled from 1 to 8 June 2026.
The programme coincides with World Reef Awareness Day on 1 June and World Oceans Day on 8 June. It is positioned as an initiative to involve guests directly in conservation efforts, allowing them to participate alongside the resort’s marine team in activities focused on reef protection.
According to General Manager Ibrahim Shijah, the programme builds on the resort’s long-standing focus on reef conservation and aims to position guests as participants in that effort. Baros Maldives, which first opened in 1973, is among the early resorts in the country to implement a structured reef restoration programme. The property, which is Maldivian-owned, has maintained ongoing work through resident marine biologists and operational practices aimed at reducing environmental impact.
The “Fully Ocean” programme will run as a structured schedule of activities throughout the week.
On 1 June, the programme will begin with a guided house reef tour, followed by an information session for guests to register for activities. The day will conclude with night snorkelling.
On 2 June, activities will focus on coral restoration. Led by marine biologist Carissa Cabrera, the programme will include a snorkelling safari and workshops on coral restoration methods. Guests will have the option to participate in coral planting or sponsor coral frames.
On 3 June, a fish-focused programme will include identification workshops and in-water sessions for divers and snorkellers. The afternoon will feature activities in the Palm Garden, including educational games and painting sessions, followed by night snorkelling.
On 4 June, activities will focus on reef ecosystems. The programme will include guided dives under the Microlife Finders initiative, snorkelling safaris and low tide exploration of marine species such as shells and sea cucumbers. The day will conclude with a “Glow in the Dark” session, combining a presentation with a UV-assisted night snorkelling experience.
On 5 June, marking World Environment Day, the programme will include a guided nature walk around the island and a photography competition titled “Maldivian Treasures”. A second “Glow in the Dark” session will be held in the evening.
On 6 June, the schedule will include guided reef tours and night snorkelling.
On 7 June, designated as Turtle Day, the programme will feature activities led by the Olive Ridley Project, including awareness sessions and workshops on turtle conservation and responsible interaction.
On 8 June, the programme will conclude with a guided reef tour, a reef clean-up activity and a final night snorkelling session.
Some activities during the programme will be complimentary, while others will be offered at an additional charge. Booking and programme details are available through the resort.
The “Fully Ocean” initiative will coincide with Baros Maldives’ “Endless Summer” offer, running from May to October 2026. During this period, the resort is promoting travel during the off-peak season, when marine conditions attract species such as manta rays and whale sharks to nearby atolls.
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