There’s nowhere else in the Maldives quite like Soneva Fushi. This is the place that redefined the idea of barefoot luxury—long before it became a buzzword—and it still leads with quiet confidence. You won’t find shiny marble lobbies or gold-plated finishes here. Instead, it’s wild jungle pathways, tree-root walls, villas hidden behind palms, and experiences that make you feel like you’re discovering the island for the first time—every day.

Located on the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO-protected marine reserve, Soneva Fushi is where castaway dreams meet conscious design. Villas are enormous—more like island homes—built sustainably with natural materials and hidden among dense greenery or placed directly on the beach. Interiors are open-air, organic, and tactile. Many come with water slides, all have serious privacy. The island encourages a slower pace: you’ll get around on bike (barefoot if you like), spend afternoons spotting dolphins or learning to freedive, and evenings stargazing through the telescope or watching a film at the open-air cinema.

Dining here is a joyfully unpretentious affair, but executed with flair. You’ll find plant-based tasting menus in a treetop, a chef’s table with no menu, a stilted bamboo restaurant built over water, and more ice cream and chocolate than your inner child knows what to do with. There’s also an impressive wine cellar, organic gardens, and an intentional lack of single-use anything.

Families are welcomed with open arms—this is one of the most exciting kids’ islands in the Maldives, with a multi-level kids’ club, jungle playgrounds, and thoughtful experiences that feel authentic rather than outsourced. But it’s just as magic for couples or groups looking to disconnect, recharge, and remember how good simplicity can feel—when it’s done right.