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Enjoy unforgettable October in Maldives with Soneva
Pioneering hospitality group Soneva has announced its spectacular October programme across its award-winning resorts.
At Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, the exceptional holiday line-up is designed to delight guests of all ages – with one-of-a-kind family experiences, Michelin-starred guest chefs, rejuvenating wellness treatments, and a star-studded line-up of visiting experts through the ever-evolving Soneva Stars calendar.
As part of their dazzling October programmes, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani will also be celebrating 2022’s Diwali with unique festival of light-themed experiences for the whole family and special guest appearances – including renowned ‘curry queen’ Dipna Anand.
Soneva Fushi
Guests at Soneva Fushi this summer can dine with six exceptional visiting chefs from around the world as part of the Soneva Stars roster.
German chef Sascha Stemberg has been at the helm of his family’s Michelin-starred Haus Stemberg in Velbert, Germany, since 2015. Winner of the 2013 World Sushi Cup and ‘World’s Most Creative Sushi Master’, Pepi Aneveski, will be showcasing his refined sushi mastery.
Curry queen of the Indian cookery world and co-owner of the famous Brilliant Restaurant in West London’s Southall, Dipna Anand will be showcasing some of her grandfather’s Punjabi recipes during unforgettable Diwali dinners.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen is the executive chef of the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant in Lancashire, England, while Chantelle Nicholson is one of the leading female voices in the UK’s hospitality industry.
Viktor Beley, brand chef of Moscow’s Uhvat restaurant, will be showcasing his original interpretation of traditional Russian cuisine.
In the realm of sports and fitness, six-time NFL Pro-Bowl player Terrel Owens will be hosting a series of workshops for Young Sonevians.
Former English professional rugby player Ben Cohen and his wife Kristina Rihanoff, a world finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor, choreographer and author, will be helping guests stay in shape with their renowned fitness programmes.
The man behind the global fitness brand The Body Coach and ‘The Body Coach TV’ YouTube channel, Joe Wicks will be conducting workshops and training sessions for guests.
Todd Woodbridge is best known as one of the world’s greatest doubles players in history, while Brazilian former professional footballer ‘Naldo’ was named the best Bundesliga player in 2017 and was the first defender in Bundesliga history to top this category.
Olympic Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar will be helping Young Sonevians perfect their stroke while having fun in the water.
With more than two decades’ experience as a fitness coach and therapeutic masseur, life-long ultra-endurance athlete Eduardo Sierra will be approaching acute and chronic pain conditions from a multifaceted toolbox combining acupuncture, soft tissue work, osteopathy and the latest functional neurology research at Soneva Soul.
At Soneva Fushi’s island observatory, guests can take a fascinating voyage across the heavens with visiting astronomer Dr James O’Donoghue. A planetary astronomer at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), he’ll be hosting after-dinner stargazing sessions along with fascinating talks about astronomy throughout the day.
The Den at Soneva Fushi also has a fun-packed programme daily of experiences and activities for younger guests, including eco-friendly arts and crafts workshops, a range of water sports, DJing and mocktail-making classes for teens, movie nights and stargazing workshops, as well as special cooking classes for Diwali celebrations. Older children are also invited to connect with the world around them with the Soneva Academy’s immersive modular courses, from exploring the stars to learning about sustainability and the Maldives’ marine realm.
View the Soneva Fushi October Programme
Soneva Jani
Soneva’s exceptional line-up of visiting chefs will also be going to Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll.
Sascha Stemberg, Pepi Aneveski, Dipna Anand, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Chantelle Nicholson and Viktor Beley will all be hosting exclusive dinners at the resort, including at So Engaging, the intimate chef’s table that seats just five guests.
Other unforgettable dining experiences during the October calendar include a Champagne sunrise breakfast on the sands of North Beach and a selection of succulent crabs and seafood at our award-winning, open-aired Crab Shack.
A mouth-watering selection of themed dinners showcasing the continent’s eclectic cuisine can be found at Asian Kitchen, while diners can explore the heavens with astronomer Dr James O’Donoghue at So Starstruck, the Maldives’ only overwater telescope.
A special Diwali celebration dinner with live entertainment will also be taking place on Soneva Jani’s South Beach during the festival of lights.
Helping guests stay active this October, fitness experts Joe Wicks, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff will be conducting their renowned workshops and training sessions.
Former professional football player Ibrahim ‘Ibou’ Ba will be hosting a Young Sonevians’ Football Club, while former professional tennis player Agnieszka Radwańska, known for making intelligent use of the court, will be teaching a series of tennis camps.
Younger guests can also make a splash with Olympic Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar during a series of swimming sessions.
At Soneva Soul, visiting therapist and clinical chiro practitioner Dr Chet Collins, whose record for relieving and correcting persistent physical pain has resulted in an international reputation as ‘Dr Magic Hands’, will be helping guests find immediate relief and long-term solutions for their physical needs through a range of treatments.
Guests can also join Soneva Jani’s own yoga and meditation masters, Justin and Kamal, for yoga and meditation sessions and learn how to enhance overall wellbeing, stretch and strengthen the body, focus the mind and balance emotions.
The playful escapism of Soneva Jani’s luxurious 5.6-kilometre lagoon makes the resort irresistible to experience seekers. A range of complimentary non-motorised water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling at the house reef are on offer. Or experience the ocean with complete freedom with some of the latest motorised tech, including eSurfboards and Flyboards, and learn to move through the water like a fish, on the surface and beneath the waves.
A haven for families, The Den at Soneva Jani features a daily roster of exciting, educational and engaging opportunities for both young children and teenagers to create meaningful moments at the barefoot hideaway. Inspired by childhood wonder, The Den is a two-storey awe-inspiring playground for the imagination – and now one of the largest children’s clubs in Asia. Featuring a zipline through a cascading waterfall; areas for music, Lego, dressing up and creativity; a soothing sensory room for toddlers and a hidden hangout for teens where mocktails and music set the scene; plus so much more – there’s something for all Young Sonevians, both large and small.
Older children and teens can also join the Soneva Academy, which takes learning outside of the classroom with a selection of fascinating immersive courses, including the Marine Life of the Maldives, Mosquitoes and the Adventure of the Corbin, which follows the voyage of an ancient treasure galleon.
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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