Velassaru Island

Rooms

There are 129 rooms on Velassaru, which are either tucked among the tropical foliage or over the water with direct access to the lagoon. The rooms have a minimalist, contemporary design with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibar, satellite TV and tea and coffee making facilities. Thoughtful touches include beach bags and flip-flops.

Location

Velassaru sits on its own palm-fringed island in the South Malé Atoll, just 25 to 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport.

A white sand beach hems the entire island and there's plenty of room to find your own space without feeling crowded by other guests. The island is surrounded by a calm, turquoise lagoon that’s ideal for swimming, along with a house reef that glimmers with angelfish and grey mullet.

Food and drink

Food is a highlight of the resort and with a choice of five restaurants and two bars — Velassaru offers a greater range of dining experiences than many other Maldivian resorts.

Vela is the island’s main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving a variety of international dishes buffet-style, with live cooking stations. Turquoise provides a creative à la carte menu with a large selection of both continental and Asian dishes.

There are also more specialist restaurants. Etesian is known for its Mediterranean food while Teppanyaki, a popular Japanese restaurant, serves fresh seafood as well as extensive sushi and sashimi. Sand, the signature restaurant, is aptly set on the beach, with well-spaced tables, ocean views and delicious Asian and Western dishes.

The Chill Bar, located close to the water bungalows, serves a choice of tapas during the day. It’s perfectly positioned to order a cocktail from their inventive menu and watch the sun go down.

In addition, there’s a selection of private dining options from a private barbecue on the beach to a sunset cruise with authentic Maldivian cuisine.

Families

Although there’s no children's club on the island, families are welcome and with the wide range of water sports facilities, there is plenty to keep older children occupied.

Some rooms, particularly those over water, have balconies/terraces that are unsuitable for young children. Please ensure your specialist is aware if children are in your travel party so we can ensure a suitable room is requested.

Facilities and activities

As well as an infinity pool, the resort has an extensive range of water sports including waterskiing, knee-boarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing, parasailing, catamaran sailing and kayaking, as well as tube rides and SEABOB water rockets. Complimentary snorkelling equipment is available for use on the house reef and they also offer guided snorkelling trips and opportunities to learn more about the reef from in-house marine biologists.

On land the resort has a tennis court and fitness centre with yoga classes.

Local excursions

The resort runs a number of activities, including visits to a nearby local island as well as fishing, dolphin trips, night snorkelling and a sunset cruise (where you might spot the occasional dolphin).

All excursions can be booked on arrival at the island, but please ask your specialist if you would like more details.

Diving

The Maldives’ clear waters offer some of the best diving opportunities you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Immersion is Velassaru’s own PADI dive centre offering diving for every level from beginner to professional. PADI courses for all ages and abilities can be booked as well as bespoke diving courses and trips. A digital underwater photographer and equipment is also available to capture your diving experiences.

Spa Facilities

The over-water spa has ten separate treatment rooms offering a range of treatments and techniques including Thai, Balinese, Swedish and Shiatsu.

The island's own Velassaru technique uses coconut wood tools to liberate negative stress and stimulate a positive sense of well-being.

There’s also a steam room and small hydro pool. Yoga sessions are also provided, with a choice of various disciplines depending whether you want to relax, strengthen or energise.