Things to do at Velaa Private Island

Despite its relatively small size, there is an abundance of things to do here, and you’ll be hard-pressed to try everything at least once during your stay.

If absolute relaxation and pampering is your goal, then the Velaa Spa will knock your socks off. Ancient rituals and modern techniques blend seamlessly to create a haven based around excellence and expertise. As well as the customary saunas and steam rooms, the Maldives’ only snow room is also located here, offering a uniquely curious experience within this tropical paradise setting.

Hair and beauty stylists are on hand to give a little pampering, plus there is a wide variety of bespoke massages drawing on East Asian and ayurvedic practices, and delicious body scrubs, facials and wraps on offer. Kids even have their own pampering menu, because why should the grown-ups have all the fun?

For those keen to keep energised in a more active way, the fitness centre ‘Technogym’ provides excellent cardio and strength equipment and personal trainers to help guide you, while yoga and meditation classes in the resort’s elevated pavilion will certainly let you unwind both your body and mind.

The Lha Velaa (‘Little Turtle’) Kids Club was uniquely designed for kids, by a kid, the owner’s daughter in fact. Offering a world of fun for children aged 4-12, this wondrous land of adventure and exploration boasts the biggest children’s water park in the Maldives and will keep them occupied all day, every day. On top of this, kids have a wide-ranging programme of entertainment including learning and playing Maldivian baseball and Koraa (Maldivian hopscotch), talent shows and pirate ship quests, plus many other festivities throughout the year.

Velaa Private Island boasts an exceptional array of dining options. Athiri is the resort’s primary all-day restaurant with world-class chefs hailing from 14 nations, serving authentic homestyle cuisine in a more casual setting. Avi is the informal bar located by the pool where you can order refreshing daytime drinks and come back in the evening for something slightly stronger, while sitting under the starry Maldivian sky.

Aragu is the resort’s signature fine dining establishment, serving a creative Asian twist on contemporary European fare, and is currently listed as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – the first and only in the Maldives to make the list. Tavaru is the resort’s teppanyaki eatery and wine cellar, which is said to be the largest wine and Champagne collection in the Maldives, located in an impressive 37-foot tower with panoramic views over the island and shimmering waters beyond.

Surrounding the lush tropical island are the implausibly clear Indian Ocean waters, which are waiting to be explored via varying means. And around the resort amid the verdant gardens lie plenty of land-based activities for guests of all ages and abilities, which all add up to delivering you the ultimate holiday at Velaa Private Island.

Regularly recognised as one of the top golf courses in the Maldives – admittedly there are only four – the exclusive Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal was designed by the short game master José María Olazábal himself and spans over seven holes and nine tees, providing a uniquely compact golfing experience. Practise your swing with one-on-one tuition from PGA pros or using the state-of-the-art simulator or play with the family on the putting green.

Boasting some of the latest and greatest motorised equipment available right now, the resort offers opportunities to try flyboarding, hoverboarding electric foil surfboards and the fancy Tandem Jetovator.

And for a more serene pace of life, kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and of course Velaa Private Island Maldives snorkelling and scuba diving at the house reef are a wonderful way to explore the marine life that plays such a prominent role in island culture, and who knows, you may get lucky and spot some dolphins at play. Additionally, within the Noonu Atoll are many exotic dive sites where you could witness a world of colourful coral as well as baby sharks and giant manta rays gracefully floating nearby.

For venturing further afield guests can also sail out for big game fishing, cruise along on an authentic Maldivian Batheli boat or even charter a private luxury yacht for an overnight excursion where the resident chef will prepare all your meals while on board.

Speak with your personal travel expert about bespoke experiences at Velaa Private Island as well as many other luxury Maldives holiday offers.

If you prefer leisure pursuits that keep you on terra firma, then make sure to book a place on the Maldives’ only covered tennis court or squash court, or perhaps the climbing wall, football pitch or beach volleyball court might tempt you away from the pool or the beach.

After visiting the Maldives for over a decade, Czech financier Jiří Šmejc and his wife, Radka bought the island with the explicit dream of creating a leading luxury resort contender in the region and make it one of the most exclusive destinations in the world.

Yes, the Romantic Residence is an unapologetically blissful One-Bedroom Villa retreat that can only be reached via boat and is suspended above the crystal-clear lagoon, offering the pinnacle of solitude for honeymooning couples. It features a dining gazebo with a kitchen on top of a floating jetty as well as a private gym and spa treatment room, Jacuzzi, pool, sunken outdoor bath, and steps leading directly into the lagoon.

International flights arrive and depart from Malé airport - 187 kilometres away – followed by an exciting 45-minute seaplane transfer to Velaa Island.