Tee off at the Maldives' only Olazábal golf academy, cool down in the country's first snow room, then descend Tavaru tower to a 500-bin cellar for a 1956 Romanée-Conti.
Forbes 5-Star 45-Min Seaplane House Reef Family Friendly
Czech billionaire Jiří Šmejc built Velaa as a private playground, not a hotel flag — 47 villas around a turtle-shaped lagoon, a butler per villa, and toys no rival owns: a snow room, a 9-hole Olazábal golf course, a submarine, a 500-bin cellar. Forbes Five-Star service at a price Velaa never publishes, for those who want seclusion with serious facilities.
Velaa's 47 villas, houses and residences run from the 287 sqm Beach Pool Villa to the 1,324 sqm four-bedroom Private Residences designed by Patricia Urquiola and Winch Design. Eighteen sit over water; every category has its own pool and a dedicated butler. Sunrise and Sunset Water Pool Villas frame a glass viewing window in the floor, while the over-water Romantic Residence is reachable only by boat, with a private chef.
BeachAll pool
Beach Pool Villas
From
$3,700
287–313 sqm ·2.2× larger than avg
Beach Pool Villa287 sqmPool$3,700
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa313 sqmPool$4,•••
OverwaterAll pool
Water Pool Villas
From
$3,•••
223–245 sqm ·76% larger than avg
Sunrise Water Pool Villa223 sqmPool$3,•••
Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa245 sqmPool$4,•••
FamilyAll pool
Pool Houses
From
On request
493–581 sqm ·4× larger than avg
Ocean Pool House (2-Bed)493 sqmPoolOn request
Beach Pool House (2-Bed)581 sqmPoolOn request
SignatureAll pool
Residences
From
On request
598–1,324 sqm ·7.2× larger than avg
Romantic Pool Residence (Over-Water)598 sqmPoolOn request
Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.
Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.
Dining
4 Restaurants & 2 Bars
Velaa's dining is small and serious — four restaurants and two bars rather than a buffet conveyor. Aragu is the signature gourmet table by chef Gaushan De Silva; Tavaru serves teppanyaki atop a tower that sits over the largest wine cellar in the Maldives (500-plus bins). Athiri runs all-day beachfront dining with a wood-fired oven, and Faiy, added in 2024, is a nutritionist-led wellness restaurant. Cru pours rare champagne; Avi Bar handles sundowners and the after-dark scene.
Aragu
Modern European
Velaa's flagship gourmet table, led by chef Gaushan De Silva — modern European cooking with an East-West accent, built on organic and sustainable sourcing. Live piano drifts across the oceanfront room, and the adjoining Cru lounge pours rare champagne by the glass to open or close the meal.
SettingOceanfront signature fine dining with live piano and an adjoining champagne lounge.
Our tipPair the tasting menu with a glass flight from the Cru lounge next door
Tavaru
Japanese Teppanyaki
Japanese teppanyaki inside the ivory Tavaru tower, where fire meets the sky over the lagoon. Spiral down beneath the dining room to Velaa's wine cellar — 500-plus bins, the largest in the Maldives, holding a 1956 DRC Romanée-Conti, vintage Salon, and an 1870 Blandy's Verdelho.
SettingJapanese teppanyaki in the ivory Tavaru tower, above the Maldives' largest wine cellar.
Our tipAsk for a cellar tour before dinner — the 1956 Romanée-Conti lives here
Athiri
Global
Velaa's relaxed beachfront all-day venue — creative global cooking with local touches, anchored by a wood-fired oven. The signature wood-fired pizzas run throughout the day, alongside an à la carte menu or dishes made to request. Toes in the sand for breakfast, lunch on the beach, easy dinners under the stars.
SettingBeachfront all-day dining with a wood-fired oven and toes-in-the-sand tables.
Our tipThe wood-fired pizzas run all day — the easiest lunch on the island
Faiy
Wellness
Velaa's wellness restaurant — "faiy" means leaf — added in 2024 as the fourth dining room. A nutritionist designs light, plant-forward menus tied to each guest's wellbeing journey, served in a garden oasis overlooking the golf academy greens. Limited seating, roughly six days a week; book ahead.
SettingPlant-forward wellness restaurant in a garden oasis overlooking the golf greens.
Our tipLimited seating ~6 days a week — reserve when you check in, not on the day
Cru
Champagne Lounge
The CRU Champagne Lounge sits beside Aragu, overlooking the ocean — rare and vintage champagnes poured by the glass by expert sommeliers, with grande-marque houses led by Veuve Clicquot. The natural spot for an aperitif before dinner or a nightcap after, glass in hand as the light fades over the lagoon.
SettingChampagne and wine lounge beside Aragu, overlooking the ocean.
Our tipBest at golden hour — go before your Aragu reservation for the light
Avi Bar
Pool Bar & Cocktails
Velaa's pool bar by day turns cocktail bar by night — a mixologist working the shaker while a live DJ or band sets the tempo and the sun drops into the ocean. Barefoot-luxury at its most relaxed: a long lunch by the pool, sundowners on the deck, and the island's social hub once the sky goes dark.
SettingPool bar by day, cocktail bar with live DJ or band by night, sunset ocean views.
Our tipThe DJ or band starts at sunset — the island's liveliest spot after dark
Meal Plans
Dining Inclusions
Velaa runs on bed-and-breakfast by default, with half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive upgrades (the AI option indicatively around $400 per person per day). À la carte spans all six venues, plus Destination Dining in private settings and 24-hour in-villa service. Velaa publishes no rack rate — we confirm meal-plan pricing on a live quote.
Velaa's standard plan is Bed & Breakfast, with Half Board, Full Board, and All-Inclusive available as paid upgrades. Tavaru teppanyaki, Faiy wellness dining, the Cru champagne list, and the 500-bin cellar are charged à la carte on most plans. Destination Dining (private settings on and off the island) and 24-hour in-villa "Velaa Express" service are available throughout. Velaa publishes no official rack rate or fixed meal-plan supplement — we confirm exact pricing on a live quote.
Plan
Restaurants
Alcohol
Minibar
~pp/day
Bed & Breakfast
Breakfast at Aragu or Athiri · à la carte across all venues
Charged à la carte · 500-bin cellar and Cru champagne list
Stocked · charged on consumption
Standard base plan
Half Board
Breakfast + dinner · dine-around across restaurants
Charged à la carte
Stocked · charged on consumption
Supplement per person
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch + dinner · dine-around across restaurants
Charged à la carte
Stocked · charged on consumption
Supplement per person
All-Inclusive
All meals · selected dining across venues
Selected wines, spirits & cocktails included
Replenished daily
~$400 pp/day (indicative)
Bed & BreakfastBase
Breakfast at Aragu or Athiri · à la carte across all venues
Alcohol Charged à la carte · 500-bin cellar and Cru champagne listMinibar Stocked · charged on consumption
Half BoardSupplement
Breakfast + dinner · dine-around across restaurants
Alcohol Charged à la carteMinibar Stocked · charged on consumption
Full BoardSupplement
Breakfast, lunch + dinner · dine-around across restaurants
Alcohol Charged à la carteMinibar Stocked · charged on consumption
Velaa is an owner-built playground with toys no other Maldives resort can match. Sports and recreation centre on the 9-hole, par-3 Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, managed by Troon, plus the Maldives' only snow room, covered tennis and squash, and a Technogym fitness centre. The Velaa Dive Centre, a fleet of water toys, and a three-person semi-submarine cover the water. The Lha Velaa Kids Club runs the largest kids' waterpark in the country.
Water Sports & Diving
Velaa Dive Centre, water toys, semi-submarine
Velaa Dive CentrePADI-affiliated · Scubapro-equipped · sites ~20 min out in lightly-dived Noonu
Semi-submarine toursThree-person ambient-pressure submarine · skipper narration of deeper waters
Largest kids' waterpark in the MaldivesSlides and splash play at the heart of the kids club
Semi-submarine rideThree-person submarine — a hit with older children
Turtle hatchery visitsSee the conservation programme that gives the island its name
Junior marine-biology sessions with the resident biologist
Snorkelling lessons in the shallow lagoon
Beach games, treasure hunts and arts and crafts
BabysittingIn-villa nannies on request for younger children
Family & Kids
Family-Friendly Features
Velaa is genuinely family-friendly. The Lha Velaa ("Little Turtle") Kids Club takes ages 4–12 and was redesigned in 2024/25 around the largest kids' waterpark in the Maldives. Beyond the slides, children can ride the three-person submarine, visit the turtle hatchery that gives the island its name, and join marine-biology sessions with the resident biologist. Four-bedroom Private Residences suit multi-generational groups, and in-villa babysitting is available for the youngest guests.
Velaa sits in Noonu, one of the Maldives' more recently dived atolls, with sites roughly 20 minutes out by boat — grey reef and nurse sharks, seasonal mantas, black-spotted and eagle rays. Snorkelling is possible straight off the island's coral reef, and night snorkelling with sea torches reveals fluorescent organisms. Be realistic about the house reef: the 1998 and 2016 bleaching events damaged it, and coral-propagation is ongoing, so the off-villa reef is recovering rather than pristine. The best snorkelling is via boat excursions to outer reefs such as Orimas Varu and Gathafaru. A turtle hatchery runs on the island.
Regularly spotted here (+7)
Reef Sharks
Grey reef and nurse sharks — on outer Noonu dive and snorkel sites
Sea Turtles
Resident turtles and a conservation hatchery — the island is named for them
Stingrays
Black-spotted stingrays and eagle rays — along reef edges and channels
Tropical Reef Fish
Recovering house reef · coral-propagation underway after 1998/2016 bleaching
Octopus
Occasional sightings on reef dives and guided night snorkels
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins on weekly cruises in Noonu Atoll waters
Manta Rays
Seasonal in Noonu · Sea Manta Encounters led by the resident marine biologist
Not typical at this reef (−1)
Whale Sharks
Not typical at Velaa — South Ari Atoll is the main whale shark destination
PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.
Getting There
Transfer from Malé
Velaa is in remote Noonu Atoll, roughly 150 km north of Malé. The standard arrival is a scenic ~45-minute seaplane direct from Velana International Airport. Private speedboat and charter options exist on request. Seaplanes fly in daylight only; we arrange every transfer, including the airport meet-and-greet and lounge.
Standard arrival
Seaplane
Velana Airport → Velaa Private Island (~45 min) · Daylight only
~$850 pp roundtrip
On request
Private Speedboat / Charter
Private speedboat or charter from Velana · arranged on request
On request
Seaplane is the standard arrival — a scenic ~45-minute flight that operates during daylight only (approx. 6:00–16:30). Private speedboat and charter transfers can be arranged for late arrivals or guests who prefer not to fly. Seaplane cost is indicative (around $850 per person roundtrip); Velaa confirms exact transfer pricing with each booking. We arrange all transfers, including airport meet-and-greet and lounge access at Velana terminal.
Resort island map — Velaa Private Island
Our Take
Who This Resort is For
Ideal for
Facility-led luxury seekers — the Maldives' only snow room, a 9-hole Olazábal golf academy run by Troon, a three-person submarine, covered tennis and squash, and a Technogym gym, all on one private island
Wine and dining enthusiasts — Aragu's gourmet table by chef Gaushan De Silva, teppanyaki at Tavaru above the country's largest wine cellar (500-plus bins, a 1956 Romanée-Conti), and rare champagne at Cru
Families wanting serious facilities — the Lha Velaa Kids Club with the largest kids' waterpark in the Maldives, a turtle hatchery, four-bedroom residences, butler service, and a submarine the kids can ride
Privacy and seclusion seekers — an owner-built island in remote Noonu with a butler per villa, the boat-access Romantic Residence, and a hyper-private, design-led atmosphere rather than a branded resort feel
Couples and honeymooners after design pedigree — residences by Patricia Urquiola and Winch Design, over-water villas with glass viewing windows, and Forbes Five-Star service throughout
Consider elsewhere if
Reef purists — the off-villa house reef was damaged by the 1998 and 2016 bleaching events and is recovering rather than pristine; the best snorkelling is via boat excursions, so dedicated snorkelers may prefer a reef-forward resort
Golfers expecting a full course — the Olazábal academy is a 9-hole par-3 layout and practice facility, not the 18-hole championship course some aggregators wrongly describe
Budget and mid-luxury travellers — Velaa publishes no rack rate and sits at the very top of the market, with entry villas around $3,700/night and residences running well into five figures
All-inclusive seekers — the default plan is bed-and-breakfast, and signature venues like Tavaru, Faiy and Cru are charged à la carte; this is not a drinks-and-dining-included resort
Season & Pricing Guide
Dec 20 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates
Jan 11 – Apr 15High · +40–60%
Nov 1 – Dec 19Shoulder · +20–30%
May – OctLow · Best value
Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability.
Why Book Through Lux Atolls
More Than Just a Booking
What you get with us vs. booking direct or through a generic OTA
Book with Lux Atolls
Best rate guarantee on partner resorts — we match or beat what you find elsewhere
Exclusive package inclusions negotiated through our direct resort relationships
Transparent pricing — transfers, taxes, and meal plans quoted upfront, no hidden fees
Personal trip advisor — villa matching, meal plan guidance, and honest recommendations
Maldives-only expertise — we know every reef, transfer route, and seasonal sweet spot
Direct resort contact — if something needs fixing, we call the GM, not a call centre
No booking fees, no hidden charges — the price we quote is the price you pay
Book Through Others
Published rack rate — no negotiated extras
No package inclusions beyond the standard rate
Transfer costs and taxes added at checkout
Generic customer support with no local knowledge
One-size-fits-all recommendations across dozens of destinations
Issues routed through a ticketing system, not a person
Hidden fees and service charges added late in the process
Frequently Asked Questions
Velaa Private Island — FAQ
How much does Velaa Private Island cost per night?
Velaa publishes no official rack rate. As an indication, entry Beach Pool Villas start around $3,700/night in low season and roughly $4,850 in high season, over-water villas run about $3,500–4,500, and the four-bedroom Private Residences reach well into five figures. The default plan is bed-and-breakfast; meal-plan upgrades and transfers are extra. We quote exact partner rates on request.
How do you get to Velaa Private Island?
By a scenic seaplane of about 45 minutes direct from Velana International Airport in Malé to Velaa's own lagoon platform in Noonu Atoll, roughly 150 km north. Seaplanes operate in daylight only. Private speedboat and charter transfers can be arranged for late arrivals. Seaplane cost is indicative at around $850 per person roundtrip, confirmed at booking.
Is Velaa Private Island all-inclusive?
No. Velaa runs on bed-and-breakfast by default, with half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive available as paid upgrades (the AI option is indicatively around $400 per person per day). Signature venues such as Tavaru teppanyaki, Faiy wellness dining, and the Cru champagne list are typically charged à la carte. We confirm meal-plan pricing on a live quote.
Does Velaa really have a snow room and a golf course?
Yes. Velaa has the first and only snow room in the Maldives — a sub-zero chamber for post-sauna hot-cold contrast therapy. Its golf is the Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, managed by Troon: a 9-hole, par-3 course with a swing studio and PGA tuition, not the 18-hole championship course some listings claim. Both are unique to Velaa in the Maldives.
Is Velaa Private Island good for families?
Yes. Velaa is family-friendly, not adults-only. The Lha Velaa ("Little Turtle") Kids Club caters to ages 4–12 and was redesigned in 2024/25 with the largest kids' waterpark in the Maldives. Families also have four-bedroom Private Residences, a turtle hatchery, junior marine-biology sessions, a submarine ride, and babysitting on request.
PricingGet your secret price
Secret Price
Custom package · Your villa choice · Meal plan · Transfers
Sending
Quote Request Sent
We'll reply within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing.
