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Soneva Namoona launches online course on tropical organic gardening
Soneva has launched an online course aimed at teaching people how to grow food in a tropical country like the Maldives.
The Tropical Organic Gardening course is a perfect beginner’s guide on how to grow food, whether it is on a small balcony in capital Male, in a back garden, or on a bigger sized plot of land.
The 10 episodes in the course, filmed at Soneva Fushi in Baa atoll, cover topics from preparing a growing space, planting, maintenance and harvesting, with additional episodes focused on enhancing the quality of vegetables.
The tutorial seeks to help anyone, who may be self-isolating because of the coronavirus, grow nutritious vegetables at home, while also learning to make compost. Each of the videos is hosted by Justin Robertshaw, Soneva’s Waste-to-Wealth Manager.
The tutorials are part of the Soneva Namoona project, which is a partnership between Soneva, the islands of Maalhos, Kihaadhoo and Dharavandhoo, and international organisation Commons Seas.
“I hope this timely online tutorial results in more healthy, nutritious food being grown locally in the Maldives,” Sonu Shivdasani, Soneva’s CEO and Co-Founder, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“The Soneva Namoona partnership aims to help island communities become exemplary in waste management, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering a love for the environment.”
The course was released on Soneva Namoona social media platforms Sunday. Viewers will be able to send in questions directly to the gardening team at Soneva Fushi via Facebook and Instagram.
All the methods and techniques covered in the episodes draw from the expertise of Soneva’s hosts and existing practices from the organic gardens at Soneva Fushi.
“Growing your own food is the best way to ensure you’re eating the most organic, freshest and nutritious food – it’s also fun and a good way to relax, slow down and connect with nature. That makes it healthy, both inside and out. With the Covid-19 pandemic, taking better care of your health has become even more of a priority for many people,” Justin Robertshaw, Soneva Fushi’s Waste-to-Wealth Manager, said.
“At Soneva, we have developed tried and tested permaculture techniques for growing in a tropical climate that we want to share with our local communities. These techniques will also help beginner gardeners all around the world, whether you have access to a garden space or a simple balcony.”
Soneva Namoona is an initiative inspired by the Soneva philosophy that waste is a valuable asset. Namoona meaning ‘exemplary’ in Dhivehi is the aim for this partnership with local islands.
The initiative is a partnership between three local islands (Maalhos, Dharavandhoo and Kihaadhoo), Soneva and marine plastic foundation Common Seas to create a prototype that could reimagine waste management in the Maldives: Reduce, Recycle, Inspire.
At the heart of the initiative is a radical reduction in the volume of plastic arriving on the islands. Soneva assisted the council of Maalhos to establish a water bottling plant that desalinates and mineralises sea water before bottling it in reusable glass bottles, using the same system as the water served to guests at Soneva resorts.
Recycling and responsible disposal of waste forms the second strand of the programme. Soneva recycles or reuses 90 per cent of resort waste at their Eco-Centro waste management centres. Maalhos is the first island to open a Soneva-sponsored Eco Centro with upgraded machinery that will include a wood chipper and a glass crusher.
The third component is to inspire a love of the ocean and the local environment. The belief is that through water sports, education and festivities that children will lose their fear of the ocean and learn to love it. If they love it, they are more likely to protect it. With a nod to both the inspiration of teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and the response to plastic waste from the global surfing community, Soneva is nurturing a new generation of ocean stewards.
Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, and luxury yacht, Soneva in Aqua. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.
Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 63 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one- to nine-bedrooms, hidden among dense foliage and located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Watch classic movies at the resort’s outdoor Cinema Paradiso. Choose from nine different dining options, five hundred wines and 11 types of pillow. Unwind at the on-site Six Senses Spa. Nature’s resources are transformed into art at the Glass Studio, while The Den gives children the freedom to live their island dream. Glorious days are spent star-gazing at the Observatory, sampling organic delicacies and exploring the coral reef.
Inspired by a word that means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani is located on a collection of five islands, and a beautiful, 5.6km lagoon.
The resort currently comprises 24 overwater villas and three island villas, with additional villas to be built in Chapter 2. Each Water Villa opens to its own stretch of sparkling lagoon and is complete with a private pool and a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom, while many villas also have slides from the top deck into the water below.
Explore the glimmering galaxies from the resort’s state-of-the-art observatory or spend time indulging in a range of activities including water sports, scuba diving, wellness therapies, dolphin cruises and bicycling along the island’s many trails.
Kandolhu Maldives has announced a new season of island experiences, highlighting the resort’s refurbished Deluxe Ocean Pool Villas and a series of exclusive dining collaborations with internationally acclaimed chefs. The resort aims to offer guests opportunities to rediscover its intimate setting through refreshed accommodation and elevated culinary events.
The newly enhanced Deluxe Ocean Pool Villas, each spanning 120 sqm, have been designed with relaxation and comfort in mind. The villas now feature a spacious bedroom, a light-filled bathroom with a deep oval bathtub overlooking the Indian Ocean, and a private deck furnished with sun loungers and a sun umbrella. A new 23 sqm private pool has also been added, alongside a hammock suspended above the water, offering uninterrupted ocean views.
The resort has also introduced a line-up of exclusive dining events, bringing together Michelin-starred chefs and distinguished winemakers. These collaborations, hosted at Olive restaurant, combine fine cuisine with curated wine pairings, promising immersive gastronomic experiences.
- 3 October 2025: Chef Bernd Bachofer will present a degustation menu combining Japanese, Southeast Asian, and French haute cuisine. The evening will be paired with vintages from New Zealand’s Schubert Wines, led by winemaker Kai Schubert. Chef Bachofer, awarded a Michelin star in 2015, brings decades of expertise from renowned kitchens in Germany and Switzerland.
- 23 November 2025: The Kandolhu culinary team, headed by Chef Justin, will prepare a five-course Mediterranean dinner paired with Stonefish wines. Wine expert Peter Papanikitas will guide guests through each course, providing insights into the pairings.
- 3 December 2025: Michelin-starred Chef Theodor Falser will craft contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine in a five-course dinner for just 14 guests. Each course will be paired with fine Italian wines, offering an intimate dining experience.
Kandolhu’s Island Hosts, Claudio Stupan and Luciana Codiferro, commented, “Our vision has always been to create a space where guests feel both completely relaxed and deeply inspired. With refreshed villas and new culinary journeys ahead, we are proud to offer an experience that truly reflects the spirit of Kandolhu.”
Sun Siyam Olhuveli has announced that it will host its own take on Oktoberfest from 1 to 5 October 2025, bringing one of the world’s most recognised celebrations to a tropical island setting. The resort will combine Bavarian traditions with Maldivian hospitality, offering guests a week-long programme of music, food, and festivities.
A highlight of the event will be a performance by international DJ twins Kristina and Anna Grushina. With a strong global following of more than two million on social media and chart-topping success on Spotify, the sisters are renowned for their high-energy sets that transform any stage into a vibrant dance floor. Their performance on the resort’s beachfront is expected to be a key feature of this year’s festival.
Alongside live music, the festival will present German brews and themed culinary experiences inspired by Oktoberfest. Guests will be able to enjoy Bavarian-style dishes alongside a selection of hops and lagers served beachside. To add to the atmosphere, family-friendly activities and games will be organised throughout the resort, creating a spirit of connection and celebration in an island environment.
“We are excited to bring together international music talent, authentic gastronomy, and our island’s natural beauty in this celebration,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Every year, Oktoberfest and many other celebrations at Sun Siyam Olhuveli continue to highlight culture, community, and entertainment in a way that is unique to our resort and to the Maldives.”
The five-day festival will not only celebrate Oktoberfest but also demonstrate Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s ability to host immersive experiences that blend international entertainment with the relaxed lifestyle of the Maldives. Guests staying at the resort during this period will experience a beachfront festival of music, cuisine, and festivities designed to leave a lasting impression.
W Maldives will introduce The Joy Rituals, a two-week wellbeing programme in collaboration with Happy Hormones Yoga founders Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger. Scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2025, the initiative will feature yoga, meditation, laughter, and sound healing sessions designed to encourage guests to reconnect with their inner energy while experiencing the natural surroundings of the Maldives.
The programme includes sunrise and sunset yoga, breathwork and meditation, laughter yoga, immersive sound healing, and lectures on health and happiness. Aqua Yoga in the lagoon and evening meditations under the stars will provide distinctive experiences. The schedule coincides with World Wellness Weekend, held from 19 to 21 September 2025, aligning the resort’s programme with global wellbeing initiatives.
Rajendra Kumar, a two-time world record holder and gold medallist in yoga, is recognised for his focus on laughter and presence in practice. His record for continuous laughter lasting three hours and 47 minutes reflects his approach to joy as a form of self-discovery. Katrin Berger, a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, and molecular biologist, integrates science and spiritual practice in her sessions, combining sound healing with yoga to encourage balance and connection.
Commenting on the collaboration, Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, said, “At W Maldives, we are constantly looking for bold and inspiring ways to elevate the guest experience. The Joy Rituals with Happy Hormones Yoga brings a fresh dimension to wellness, blending the playful spirit of W with transformative practices. It is a chance for our guests to find balance, energy, and joy in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.”
Rajendra Kumar added, “Yoga is not only about physical postures, it is about living fully, freely, and with a smile. Through The Joy Rituals, we want to remind people that laughter and joy are powerful tools for healing and awakening. Bringing this philosophy to W Maldives feels like the perfect match of spirit and setting.”
Katrin Berger also shared, “Our work is about creating harmony in both body and mind. With sound healing and yoga, guests can release tension, restore balance, and feel more present in their lives. At W Maldives, surrounded by nature and beauty, this experience becomes even more profound. We are thrilled to share The Joy Rituals with guests from around the world.”
Guests may book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. The programme offers visitors an opportunity to engage in two weeks of movement, laughter, and wellness in a Maldivian island setting.yog
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