Velaa Private Island

pleasant but slightly commercial and dated lodge

Velaa Private Island is a very high quality beach resort in the Maldives.

The resort is pleasantly far from the main airport and there are only a few other resorts within a 10 km radius, so the place does feel suitably remote.

The resort is centred around the small sandy Milaidhoo Island, which is only around 400 metres in diameter, so the guest density is really on the high side.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Velaa Private Island is in 45 rooms in nine different specifications.

The follow units are situated on the island itself …

• Beach Pool Villa : 287 sqm : 1 bedroom : 2 adults and 1 child
• Deluxe Beach Pool Villa : 313 sqm : 1 bedroom : 2 adults and 1 child
• Beach Pool House : 581 sqm : 2 bedrooms : 4 adults and 1 child
• Velaa Private Residence : 1324 sqm : 4 bedrooms : 10 guests
• Nika Private Residence : 1324 sqm : 4 bedrooms : 10 guests

These units are set out over the shallow lagoon and are accessed via a network of boardwalks …

• Sunrise Water Pool Villa : 223 sqm : 1 bedroom : 2 adults and 1 child
• Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa : 245 sqm : 1 bedroom : 2 adults and 1 child
• Ocean Pool House : 493 sqm : 2 bedrooms : 4 adults and 1 child

This last unit is set out in the lagoon and can only be accessed by boat …

• Romantic Residence : 598 sqm : 2 adults and 1 child

Activities

Velaa Private Island offers a wide range of activities, not all of which are included in the room rate …

• Marine safari
• Private boat charter
• Island picnics
• Diving
• Scuba scooters
• Snorkelling
• Kayaking (some boats are transparent)
• Paddle-boarding
• Windsurfing
• Catamaran sailing
• Kite-surfing
• Paragliding
• Wake-boarding
• Water-skiing
• Jet-skiing
• Fly-boarding
• Hover-boarding
• Jet-ovatoring
• Tubing
• Tennis
• Football
• Gym
• Squash
• Climbing wall
• Golf simulator

Tuition is available for all watersports, at extra cost.

The Maldives are most commonly visited as a stand-alone destination.

The main airport on Malé is widely connected to locations including India, Sri Lanka, Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Istanbul and major airports in Southeast Asia, as well as direct charter flights from Europe.

When combined in trips with other countries, the most popular options are India and Sri Lanka. Countries in Africa are rarely combined because there are so many great beaches over that way and the flight connections via Dubai are rather arduous and inconvenient.

Seasonality

The best time to visit the Maldives is generally considered to be during the Nov-Apr dry season, although conditions are relatively constant and it really is feasible to travel at any time of year.

This coastline is classified as having a tropical monsoon climate, with two clearly defined seasons …

During the Nov-Apr dry season (northeastern monsoon) the daytime temperatures are marginally higher at around 31C/88F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures are around 26C/79F. Rainfall is highly variable and relatively unpredictable, with Jan-Mar potentially dropping to around 75mm (3”) per month and the shoulder season months of Nov-Dec and Apr potentially rising as high as 200mm (8”) per month. Sunshine is typically up around 8 hours per day (around 70% of daylight hours). This period is high season in the Maldives, so you need to book early to get accommodation in the best resorts and the prices are at their highest.

During the May-Oct wet season (southwest monsoon) the daytime temperatures are marginally lower at around 30C/86F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures are around 25C/77F. Rainfall is typically quite high, at around 200mm (8”) per month, with more pronounced and frequent storms. The amount of precipitation varies considerably across the island group, with more southerly atolls typically receiving up to twice as much rainfall as the north. Sunshine typically drops to around 6.5 hours per day (around 55%% of daylight hours). The main downside during this period is the chance of high winds, blowing in from the southwest, especially centred on May, when the monsoon winds change direction. Of course this does also make it the best time for surfing and advanced wind-surfing. This period is low season in the Maldives, so booking early should be less important and there should be some good value to be found at most resorts.

Getting there

The vast majority of visitors arrive into the Maldives through Velana International Airport, on the island of Hulhulé, which is adjacent to the capital Malé.

Kudadoo is located in the west of the Lhaviyani (Fadiffalu) Atoll, 150 km north of the main airport in the Maldives.

It is reached by means of a 30 minute sea-plane flight from Malé, with flights usually connecting promptly with international arrivals. The plane lands in the lagoon close to the island and taxis right up to the jetty.

most visitors combine lodges on at least two different islands