Amid the serene rhythm of the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, where turquoise waves meet jungle-lined shores, a new chapter in holistic luxury begins. Soneva Fushi, the emblem of barefoot sophistication, once again welcomes the return of the SOUL Festival—its flagship wellness retreat set to unfold from October 9 to 13, 2025. Now in its third edition, the five-day gathering offers more than just an escape; it invites transformation.
Curated with mindful precision, this year’s SOUL Festival presents an extraordinary constellation of global thought leaders and healers. From sunrise rituals to starlit ceremonies, every moment is crafted to honour the delicate balance of mind, body, and spirit. Leading the charge are returning Sanctum founders Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, whose energising morning sessions on the sand root each day in intention and presence. Joining them are Peigín Crowley, founder of Ground Wellbeing and champion of intuitive healing, and Tim Gray, Europe’s leading biohacker advocating for longevity and vitality.
The festival’s narrative deepens with the presence of Nathalie Schyllert, CEO of Bodyism, and creative wellness collaborator Frida Redknapp, offering a fusion of movement and emotional health. Dr. Timm Golüke lends his expertise in anti-ageing dermatology, while musician and sound therapist Roses Gabor creates enveloping healing journeys that resonate long after the final note. Additional voices in this evolving wellness symphony include Kirsten King of Fluidform Pilates, Adrienne Adhami, Traditional Chinese Medicine expert Dong Juan, breathwork facilitator Anika Lefebvre, and longevity specialist Nils Behrens.
Each day at SOUL is choreographed to flow seamlessly from movement to mindfulness. Mornings stir the senses with Pilates by the ocean and barefoot sessions that welcome the rising sun. Afternoons pivot to panel discussions on modern wellness innovations, trauma-informed bodywork, clarity breathwork, and workshops in somatic therapy. As daylight fades, the island transforms—sunsets give way to immersive soundscapes and sensory dining experiences under the stars, culminating in communal celebrations that honour connection and renewal.
Soneva Fushi itself is integral to this journey. Villas are cocooned within dense jungle or perched directly on sun-dappled shores, designed to blur the lines between architecture and nature. Here, every detail supports restoration—from organic, health-forward cuisine and expert-led therapies at Soneva Soul to private explorations across land and sea.
The SOUL Festival package elevates the experience further with villa accommodation, full-board dining, return seaplane transfers, access to all events, and a complimentary Soneva Soul treatment. Priced from USD 3,360 per night for two adults, it promises not just escape but enrichment. For early reservations confirmed before August 31, 2025, a 10% saving applies—an invitation to begin the journey inward.
For those seeking space to breathe, move, and reconnect, SOUL Festival 2025 offers not just a retreat, but a reawakening—set on one of the most pristine corners of the planet.
What distinguishes SOUL Festival from typical wellness getaways is its deliberate intertwining of purpose, place, and people. The event isn’t just built around activities—it’s shaped by stories, shared by a global community of seekers and changemakers who gather not to escape life, but to deepen their relationship with it. There’s a palpable energy that pulses through each moment, whether it’s a quiet breathwork session or a spirited discussion under the banyan trees. It’s this sense of shared intention that transforms the island into a living, breathing sanctuary of presence.
Soneva’s ethos of ‘No News, No Shoes’ is more than a charming slogan—it’s a guiding philosophy that strips away the noise of daily life to reveal something more honest. At SOUL, guests are encouraged to walk barefoot, to greet the day without distraction, and to eat from the land they walk upon. The menus are crafted from organic island ingredients, nourishing the body in alignment with the festival’s spirit. Everything—from seaplane arrival to evening rituals—has been designed with thoughtful intention, allowing time to slow down so that healing can unfold.
As the wellness world becomes increasingly saturated with trends and commodification, SOUL Festival stands apart as a genuine return to depth. It doesn’t promise quick fixes or fleeting gratification. Instead, it offers space—physical, emotional, and spiritual—for restoration. It reminds us that luxury isn’t always about more; sometimes, it’s about less. Less distraction, less noise, less separation from the natural rhythms we’ve long forgotten. In that quiet, SOUL delivers its greatest gift: reconnection.
