The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Your first lesson in surrendering control will likely commence on the bumpy arrival by seaplane to the Baa Atoll. And yet as soon as those wheels touch the sand, the blue-on-blue world outside your window washes away worry better than any prescription. Suddenly, you’re in a tropical paradise of verdant palms, crystalline waters, and crisp salt air — the ultimate remedy for those in seek of respite and renewal. This is the beginning of your spiritual enrichment journey at the Soneva Fushi’s SOUL Festival.
Upon stepping into this realm of barefoot bliss, you’ll be met with a harmonious convergence of indulgence and enlightenment. In collaboration with ORGANIC INDIA, Soneva sets a new standard for experiential wellness with interactive discussions, guided mindfulness practices, immersive workshops, and tailored treatments. The 10-day festival leverages the resort’s reputation for excellence to unite renowned thought leaders and wellness pioneers from around the world. Drawing focus on ancient healing rituals, SOUL Festival invites guests to embark on a holistic exploration of their personal and planetary health.
While initial impression of Senova Fushi conjures a castaway island fashioned from driftwood and fronds, the secluded oasis has been synonymous with wellness at its finest since conception. Founded by long-time Maldives residents Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, the aptly named Soneva brand was a pioneer for the eco-luxury movement within hospitality. Its vision, the couple says, was “inspired by nature’s magnitude” and nowhere is this more evident than at Soneva Fushi, the first barefoot luxury resort to open under the brand as an evolution of the island they’d leased since 1990.
Soneva Fushi was ground-breaking for both its introduction of mindful luxury to the Maldives and its “No News, No Shoes” policy, where guests were encouraged to reconnect with earth via the sand between their toes. Luxury is, thus, defined not by glitz and glamour, but by the opportunity to experience somewhere so special. This only continues to hold true as Kunfunadhoo, the home of Soneva Fushi, remains mostly untouched and thriving with vegetation and wildlife.
In true Soneva Fushi form, SOUL Festival offers attendees the opportunity to explore how ancient healing traditions and modern scientific innovation work in tandem to benefit individuals and their planet. Sunset cocktails on the island’s sandbank and signature plant-based dining under the stars kick off the festival’s commencement, topping the evening off with a live music performance. Each weekend guarantees a stimulating program of panel discussions led by industry experts, group yoga and meditation sessions, rejuvenating rituals, live entertainment, and, of course, barefoot celebrations set against the stunning Baa Atoll backdrop. Weekdays delve into a more immersive wellness journey, inviting attendees to expand horizons through interactive workshops and one-on-one consultations with world-renowned wellness specialists and practitioners.
There’s nothing more suitable for slipping into a meditative state than the soothing crash of waves as they sweep towards the shore, the salt air invigorating your senses as you deeply breathe in and exhale. Each morning guests have this chance to awaken their body and mind with the Maldivian sun, the warmth of the island’s soft white sands grounding them. To further connect with the natural splendor that is Soneva Fushi, guests can challenge their limits in fitness bootcamps at the island’s jungle gym, glide across the Indian Ocean on guided paddle boarding excursions, and snorkel amongst Baa Atoll’s brilliant marine life. Restoring equilibrium of mind, body and soul is central to the daily festival experience, which taps into every facet of this spectrum with creativity-fueled art workshops, insight-driven nutrition classes, and a specially curated menu of transformative treatments.
Just as Soneva upholds the importance of well-being for their guests, they bring the same focus to the well-being of the lands on which they and surrounding communities reside. In conceiving SOUL Festival as a program with purpose, Soneva aims to lead guests on a transformative journey reflective of their founding ethos. As such, proceeds from the sale of festival tickets will be directed towards the Soneva Foundation and the ORGANIC INDIA Foundation. These funds will be invested into the development of projects committed to environmental preservation, social welfare, and sustainable economic growth.
SOUL Festival, thus, acts as a catalyst for sustainable lifestyle changes, fostering a community that is motivated to make a positive impact beyond the festival’s duration. As participants leave the island with renewed spirits and a sense of purpose, they become ambassadors for positive change, spreading the festival’s ethos to their communities and influencing others to adopt a more conscious way of living.
In an era where mindful travel and sustainable living are increasingly crucial, Soneva Fushi’s SOUL Festival is a glimpse into the future of experiential luxury. By uniting diverse individuals in a shared pursuit of well-being and environmental consciousness, this event transcends the parameters of luxury travel, proving that it is possible to indulge in opulence while still honoring and protecting the earth we call home. For the discerning barefoot type looking to simultaneously nurture mind, body, and soul, consider this the next best step towards your highest self.
