Frequently Asked Questions

What taxes and service charges do I pay?
Tax on villas at Soneva Secret stands at 29.92%. This is based on your room rate and includes a 10% Service Charge, 2% Carbon Offset Tax, and 16% Goods and Services Tax. There is an additional USD 6 per person per night Green Tax for food and beverages, transfers and other resort facilities, such as the spa.

Where is Soneva Secret located?
Soneva Secret is the only resort in the Makunudhoo Atoll within the administrative region of Haa Dhaalu Atoll. It is found on the remote island of Dhipparufushi at the westernmost tip of the Maldives.

What is Soneva Secret time?
At Soneva Secret, we set our clocks forward by one hour ahead of Malé time so that our guests can enjoy more daylight hours. Malé time is UTC +5.

What is the weather like?
The Maldives’ tropical climate is influenced by monsoons – the average temperature is a balmy 30°C (86°F), and the coolest days are a pleasant 25°C (77°F). Sea temperatures are around 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F).
In the dry season (November-April), expect clear blue skies, light sea breezes and tropical sunshine. In the monsoon season (May-October), the weather can be more mixed, with sunshine, showers and occasional storms.

When is the best time to visit?
The Maldives is an all-season destination, with a tropical climate, sunshine-filled days and temperatures averaging 30°C all year round.

Diving is good at any time of the year. However, the monsoon season (May-October) is the best season for manta rays and other marine life due to the higher quantities of plankton.

Will I need any vaccinations?
Vaccinations are only required for visitors travelling to the Maldives from a region where yellow fever and cholera are endemic. For all other guests, no vaccinations are needed.

Is there a doctor on site?
We have a resort doctor available 24/7 at Soneva Secret. The nearest medical clinic is on the neighbouring island of Makunudhoo, which is less than 18 minutes away by speedboat. For conditions requiring further medical attention, there is a hospital in Malé.

What airport should I fly to?
You can fly directly into Maafaru International Airport in the Noonu Atoll, which operates 24/7. It handles scheduled domestic and international flights and private charters. Located on Maafaru Island, it is just a 25-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Secret.

You can also fly into Velana International Airport in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

What happens when I arrive at Velana International Airport?
Upon exiting the doors after luggage collection, you will be met by Soneva’s Airport Representative holding a sign with ‘Soneva’. They will escort you to either the lounge or the seaplane/domestic terminal for departure.

Can I land my private jet at the local airport?
Yes, but you will need prior authorisation before entering the Maldives, which can be arranged through a jet handler in Malé.

Are there CIP services at Velana International Airport?
We offer complimentary CIP services to all guests spending a minimum of USD 12,500 per person, per stay in their room at Soneva Secret (room rate only, other services not included). Accompanying children will also receive complimentary CIP services.

Can I leave my luggage in the Soneva Lounge?
There are no storage facilities at the Soneva Lounge, however, there are secure locker facilities at the International Airport. Lockers can be rented for less than USD 10 per day. This can be arranged upon arrival at the airport. Please ask Soneva’s airport representative for assistance.

How do I get to Soneva Secret from Malé?
Soneva Secret 2024 can be reached via a scenic 75-minute seaplane flight direct from Velana International Airport in Malé, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll, or a leisurely full-day cruise from Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani onboard Soneva in Aqua.

Guests can also fly directly to Maafaru International Airport in the Noonu Atoll, which operates 24/7 and handles domestic and international flights and private charters and is located a 25-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Secret. Alternatively, guests can fly to Kulhudhuffushi Airport in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll and take a one-hour speedboat ride to the resort.

Transfers are arranged by our Reservations Team at [email protected].

All guests who were unable to transfer from or to Malé with the Soneva Seaplane, but instead transfer on the Manta Air seaplane, will receive a resort credit as compensation, valued USD 100 nett per person per voyage. The resort credit can be redeemed against food and beverages, experiences and spa treatments, excluding third parties and retail outlets.

Why does the seaplane only fly during the day?
As seaplanes land on and take off from water, they will only fly from sunrise to sunset. When arriving in the Maldives, please plan to arrive at Malé by 15:00 local time if you would like to reach Soneva Secret by seaplane on the same day. If you are unable to arrive by that time, you can spend the night in Malé or fly directly to Kulhudhuffushi Airport in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll and take a one-hour speedboat ride to the resort.

For guests departing from Soneva Secret, seaplane flights can be arranged for international flights scheduled for a departure time after 10:00 and until approximately 16:30.

At what altitude does the seaplane fly?
The seaplane flies at an altitude between 2,100 to 6,500 feet. This varies with different payloads and the number of people on each flight.

What happens if I arrive in Malé late at night?
The last domestic flight from Malé to Kulhudhuffushi Airport is at 21:25. If you arrive too late to make this connection, you can arrange an overnight stay Hotel Jen Malé, Maagiri Hotel or The Somerset. The first seaplane of the following day will depart for Soneva Secret at 09:00. Our airport representative will meet you upon your arrival and assist you with any transfers.

What is the baggage allowance on the seaplane?
The standard weight is 25 kg per person, including hand luggage. If you have more luggage, please let our Reservations Team know in advance. There is no baggage allowance for infants under two on the seaplane.

Do infants require their own seats?
Transfers for infants below the age of two are free of charge. Due to legal safety requirements, there is no separate seat allocation for infants under two on the seaplane.

Can I charter a private seaplane?
Yes, we offer a private seaplane charter. The cost of a private charter on Soneva Seaplane (nine seats) is USD 12,000 per one-way trip, which includes a CIP service.

Manta Air also offers a regular 12-seat charter, including CIP services, at USD 7,500 per one-way trip. All prices are inclusive of taxes

Can I arrange a speedboat transfer direct from Malé to Soneva Secret?
We advise against speedboat transfers from Malé – the journey takes approximately five hours by sea, and conditions can be unpredictable.

What are speedboat transfer fees from other resorts?
Speedboat transfers can be arranged from Soneva Jani, Cheval Blanc Randheli and Velaa Private Island the following resorts at an additional cost, plus 23.2% tax. Prices are available upon request.

For other resorts, guests will need to return to Velana International Airport in Malé and arrange seaplane transfers directly from there.

What happens on departure from Soneva Secret?
The exact timing for your departure will be communicated to you by your Barefoot Guardian on the evening before departure. Your luggage will be collected and you will be presented with your final bill for signing approximately one hour before you depart. Our transfer team will ensure that all guests reach Malé International Airport on time for their connecting flights.

What should I pack?

At Soneva, we believe in travelling light. Don’t get weighed down with non-essentials by following our useful packing guide:

1. Leave your heels at home. Our ‘No News, No Shoes’ policy not only lets you feel the sand between your toes but also means your suitcases will be considerably lighter.
2. Keep it casual. Take your cue from our laidback vibe and dress accordingly.
3. Don’t bother with heavy clothes. Our enviable climate is temperate all year round, so the most you’ll need is a light wrap or shawl. And if it does rain, simply borrow one of our raincoats or umbrellas.
4. There’s no need to bring bottles of mosquito repellent with your toiletries. We’ll have both mosquito coils and lotion in all of our villas.
5. Want to while away an hour or two with a great book? Visit our well-stocked pop-up library thanks to our Barefoot Bookseller and choose your favourite tome. Most of our villas also feature their own bookshelves, too.
6. Our goal is to completely eliminate the use of plastic at our properties. Please don’t bring any plastics with you, including water bottles, sunscreen or toiletries. We provide our own filtered water in eco-friendly reusable glass bottles as well as refillable reef-safe sunscreen and high-end toiletries in every villa. If you must bring plastic, we politely request that you also take it home with you.
7. Please also avoid having your luggage wrapped in cellophane at your departure airport. Single-use plastics such as luggage wrap have a devastating effect on the natural environment, and we are currently campaigning to end their use in the Maldives.
8. We have professional photographers and videographers at our resorts to help you capture that perfect moment, so you can leave heavy camera equipment at home. Please contact us at [email protected] for further details and prices.
9. For families with infants and small children, we will arrange all the essential equipment you need, such as cots and highchairs. Please refer to our pre-arrival form for more details, or contact us at [email protected].
10. If you’re travelling with children, don’t pack all of their toys and gadgets as we will have exciting daily activities and experiences to keep them entertained.
11. Need a charge? We provide adaptors in all of our villas and our electricity sockets are multi-standard to fit a wide range of plugs and chargers.
12. If you need to stay connected to the outside world, we offer complimentary Wi-Fi at the resort. Should you wish to truly disconnect you can also turn the Wi-Fi off in your villa.
13. To chill out to your favourite soundtrack, simply connect to the Bluetooth Bose speaker system in your villa. Each villa also includes a television and DVD player.
14. Planning to stay active during your visit? We have everything you need, from yoga mats in every villa, personal bicycles and tricycles for guests of all ages, and complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment, including paddleboards, canoes, catamarans and windsurfs. We also have an on-site gym.
15. Tell us your favourite vintage, and we’ll stock up your walk-in mini bar or wine cellar before you arrive.
16. Forgotten something? Our on-site boutique has all the essentials, from handmade children’s toys to the latest beachwear.

Can I bring a surfboard with me?
Yes, you can. However, your board may not travel on the seaplane with you or on domestic flight transfers, depending on the weight of the luggage. We have a wide range of eco-friendly, complimentary surfboards and other water sports equipment that are available for you to borrow, so we encourage you to leave your surfing equipment at home.

Can I bring/use my own drone?
We strongly advise against bringing drones to Soneva Secret. Maintaining our guests’ privacy is our top priority, so drone use is completely banned in many areas of the resort (such as above guest villas). There are specific times and areas when drone use is permitted, which must be approved by our General Manager. If you would like to record drone footage, we recommend that you use our Digital Storyteller service.

What can I do at Soneva Secret?
Magical experiences are designed to create lasting memories, and Soneva Secret’s offerings are perfectly personalised to your preferences. You can enjoy a variety of experiences from swimming with manta rays or castaway picnics to stargazing at the observatory and luxury yachting adventures.

For those looking to relax and restore, there’s Soneva Wellness, our integrative wellness concept with a curated selection of wellness services designed to help you relax, rejuvenate and rebalance in the privacy of your villa.

For our full list of experiences click here.

What activities are there for families?
Our resort is a playground for the imagination. Click here for more information about The Den and programme of children’s activities. We also offer a wide range of one-of-a-kind experiences for the whole family

Do you offer photography or videography services?
Yes, our Digital Storytellers can accompany you however you wish, capturing whatever memories you choose. They also offer drone photography and videography.

If you wish to book one of our Digital Storytellers, please coordinate with your Barefoot Guardian to book a time slot, or contact our Reservations Team

What equipment is available in the in-villa gym?
Kettlebells of different weights by Eternal Creek

Dumbbells of different weights by Fysk

Punching bag and jump rope by Modest Vintage Player

Wall bars and suspension training set by Eternal Creek

SkiErg by Concept 2 (available on request)

Treadmill by Technogym (available on request)

Rowing Machine by Technogym (available on request)

Smart bicycle machine by Technogym (available on request)

Medicine balls by Modest Vintage Player

Massage balls by MoveWell

Adjustable exercise bench

Smart TV, Bose sound system and an iPad with training app

Wellness tools of different types, including yoga mats and blocks

Do you provide bicycles and helmets?
Yes, we provide complimentary bicycles and tricycles in every villa. Helmets are available on request.

Where can I eat at Soneva Secret?
Every villa at Soneva Secret has its own dedicated chef with expertise in a major world cuisine. Together, the resort’s 14 chefs present an indulgent, bespoke menu of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Maldivian, Italian, Indonesian, Mediterranean, South American, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indian and Nordic flavours.

Guests can also give in to temptation at the resort’s complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.

For our full list of dining destinations and experiences, please click here.

Do you cater to plant-based, vegans, vegetarians, coeliacs or people with special dietary requirements?
Yes, we have a wide range of menus to suit every dining requirement and our chefs can customise every meal according to your preferences, including vegetarian, plant-based, pescatarian, kosher and halal.

Do I need to book ahead for Soneva Secret’s restaurants?
Tables at our restaurants are based on availability. You can book in advance via Reservations, or you can speak to your Barefoot Guardian if you want to book a table at a specific restaurant during your stay.

Which restaurants are included in villa rates?
All dining is included in the villa rates. Breakfast will be served in-villa or at The Living Room. Guests can choose to have lunch or dinner in-villa or at The Living Room, Out of This World and So Primitive.

Are beverages included in the villa rates?
All non-alcoholic beverages, including juice, water and aerated drinks in the minibar are included. All alcoholic drinks are charged separately.

Do you have an all-inclusive supplement?
Yes, Soneva Unlimited is priced at USD 870 per adult per night (age 15 and above) and USD 430 per child per night (age 7 to 14), inclusive of taxes and service charges. The supplement is charged in addition to nightly villa rates and is not applicable for any bonus night offers.

Soneva Unlimited includes endless sumptuous feasts and inspiring cuisine, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, daily rejuvenating spa therapies and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Can we prepare our own food in the villa kitchens?
Yes, every villa at Soneva Secret has its own dedicated chef, presenting a culinary experience like no other. The resort’s 14 chefs de partie each come from a different country and present a bespoke menu of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Maldivian, Italian, Indonesian, Mediterranean, South American, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indian and Nordic flavours.

If you wish to prepare your own food, ingredients can be arranged upon request.

Can I dine at Soneva Secret if I’m not a guest?
Yes, this can be arranged upon request and is based on availability.