Soneva Secret is the first resort in the remote Makunudhoo Atoll, in the far north of the Maldives, and the most private of Soneva's three islands, reached by a 75-minute seaplane flight from Malé or a 40-minute hop from Soneva Fushi. Thirteen villas share the island and its lagoon. Beach villas are hidden among the trees, with private pools and children's sleeping areas; overwater villas have retractable roofs, wide decks and slides into the sea; and the Sea Lofts stand over open water and are reached only by boat, the largest with two bedrooms across more than 1,100 square metres. Each villa has its own team of three: a Barefoot Guardian, a Barefoot Assistant and a private chef. Dining runs from fire-led Maldivian cooking at Primitive and a chef's table with wine pairings to dinner under the night sky at Out of This World, an overwater observatory, and an ocean zipline carries guests to lunch; cheese, chocolate and ice cream rooms stay open around the clock. The surrounding reefs are full of life, with manta rays, dolphins and turtles, and diving through the Soleni Dive Centre. The whole island can be reserved, and it received three MICHELIN Keys in 2026.
- Nearest airport
- Malé Velana International (MLE), 159 Miles / 256 Kilometres, about 75 minutes by seaplane
- Rooms
- 13 villas
Insider tip Ask for the Manta Encounter: in these remote northern waters, snorkellers can swim with as many as 50 manta rays, far from other boats.
Why I choose it Thirteen villas on a remote northern atoll, with boat-access Sea Lofts, mantas and an ocean zipline.
