Soneva in Aqua

Just when we thought we couldn’t love the Maldives any more, Soneva in Aqua sailed into our lives. Combining all the barefoot luxury of one of the islands’ most iconic resorts with the exclusivity that only a private charter can bring, this is how we’ll be seeing the Maldives from now on. After all, it’s the crystal clear waters lit up by the candy-hued sunsets that we’ve come to see. Taking the beautiful design of Soneva Fushi and the signature attention to detail of their Mr Fridays and putting it all onboard a 23-metre sailboat, Soneva in Aqua makes sure you see it all in style.

Location

With a home base at Soneva Fushi, the bar was set high for the rest of Soneva in Aqua’s route. Cruising between the Baa and Noonu atolls, dropping anchor at Veyofushi and passing through the unspoiled Raa atoll, you’ll never be short of waters to tempt you in. Whether you spend four hours or four days onboard, everything about your journey is fully customisable; from which way the compass is pointing to whether you swim with dolphins or manta rays. For those who come for the Maldives’s famous waves, why not plan a ‘surfari’ and stop off at Goidhoo to catch a wave or two? But our favourite route has to be that which sails between Soneva Fushi and its sister resort, Soneva Jani. It’s what we like to call the Soneva triple-threat.

Your Room

Replicating all the barefoot-luxe of Soneva Fushi’s gorgeous beach villas, Soneva in Aqua offers just two cabins sleeping up to four adults and two children. Pale woods give a relaxed and airy feel while sofas upholstered in pastel yellows and greens bring a mellow sense of calm. Both cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, but nothing can quite compare to the glass-bottomed sunken spa tub in the master cabin.

Why we like it

We’ve always loved Soneva Fushi and what Soneva in Aqua does is effectively recreate the hotel on water. No detail too small, no request too large, everything has been thought of here. Yes, Mr Friday is coming with you – but so is a private chef, captain, dive master, massage therapist and astronomer. Start the day with sunrise yoga on deck and end it with a castaway picnic on a deserted island; with just a few hours spent diving or soaking in the jacuzzi between.