Velaa Private Island Maldives: Villas, Aragu and Golf Guide

Noonu Atoll · Private island · Opened 2013

Velaa Private Island Maldives

A 47-villa private island in the far north of the Maldives, 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé. Every villa has a pool and a butler, villas run from 223 to 1,324 sq m, and the island adds a nine-hole golf academy by José María Olazábal, the country's only spa snow room and Aragu, its award-winning overwater restaurant. Choose it for space, service and things to do; skip it if you want a small, barefoot hideaway.

47villas, all with pools

1,324 m²largest residence

45 minby seaplane

9 holesgolf by Olazábal

Atoll: Noonu, 187 km north of Malé
Overwater: 18 water villas and houses
Transfer: Seaplane 45 min, or private jet to Maafaru
Children: Lha Velaa Kids Club, 4 to 12
Signature: Aragu, golf academy, snow room
Opened: December 2013
Capacity: Up to 134 guests
Architect: Petr Kolář

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01The island

A private island built as a home

Velaa was created by Radka and Jiří Šmejc as their idea of the world's most luxurious private island, and it opened in December 2013. Czech architect Petr Kolář designed it around the sea turtles the island is named after: from the air, the water villas form the turtle's head and the jetties its flippers.

It sits 187 km north of Malé in Noonu Atoll, one of the quieter northern atolls, with neighbours such as Cheval Blanc Randheli and Soneva Jani. With 47 villas for up to 134 guests, it feels private without being remote from things to do.

White sculptural tower rising above the palm canopy, with the lagoon and reef beyond, housing the Tavaru restaurant at Velaa Private Island, Maldives — Tavaru, the tallest building on any Maldives resort island. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

02Villas, houses and residences

Eight villa types, every one with a private pool

Velaa has 29 villas on the beach and 18 over the water. Every one has a private pool, a gazebo with daybeds, a wine fridge and a villa butler.

From Velaa's fact sheet and villa plans. Sizes are total villa areas; pool sizes are length x width.
Villa	Units	Size	Private pool	Sleeps	Setting
Beach Pool Villa	9	287 sq m	7.7 x 3.6 m	2 guests	Beach
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa	9	313 sq m	9.2 x 3.6 m	2 guests + sofa bed	Beach
Beach Pool House (2 bedrooms)	7	581 sq m	7.8 x 3.8 m and 10 x 2.5 m	4 guests + sofa bed	Beach
Velaa Private Residence (4 bedrooms)	4	1,324 sq m	16.8 x 4.2 m	Up to 10 guests	Beach
Sunrise Water Pool Villa	8	223 sq m	6.8 x 3.5 m	2 guests + sofa bed	Overwater
Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa	8	245 sq m	9.3 x 3.1 m	2 guests	Overwater
Ocean Pool House (2 bedrooms)	1	493 sq m	10.7 x 3.5 m	4 guests	Overwater
Romantic Pool Residence	1	598 sq m	16.5 x 3.9 m	2 guests	Overwater, boat access

On the sand

Beach villas and houses

Beach Pool Villa, 287 sq m: palm-screened, with a garden atrium bathroom and outdoor bath.
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa, 313 sq m: a separate living room and a 9.2 m pool.
Beach Pool House, 581 sq m: two bedrooms around a living room with kitchenette and bar, and a pool with a shallow area for children.

Over the lagoon

Water villas and houses

Sunrise Water Pool Villa, 223 sq m: east-facing on an extended jetty, with a circular bath.
Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa, 245 sq m: west-facing, with a floor window and a wine bar.
Ocean Pool House, 493 sq m: two bedrooms at the tip of the island, with a sunken jacuzzi.

For privacy and groups

Residences

Romantic Pool Residence, 598 sq m: alone in the lagoon, reached by boat, with a 16.5 m pool, gym and treatment room.
Velaa Private Residence, 1,324 sq m: four bedrooms for up to ten, with gym, spa room, outdoor cinema and a 16.8 m pool.
Nika has interiors by Patricia Urquiola; Kuredhi is in warm woods and organic curves.

Sunset seen from the terrace of an overwater villa with a daybed, private pool and steps into the lagoon at Velaa Private Island, Maldives — Sunset from a Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Every villa type with photographs is listed in the Room section below. Compare: Maldives beach villas, overwater villas with a pool and multi-bedroom residences.

03Restaurants and bars

Four restaurants, three bars and a 1,000-label cellar

Aragu

Overwater · 36 seats

The signature restaurant, under hundreds of hanging flying fish. Culinary Director Gaushan de Silva cooks modern European food with an Asian twist, including the seven-course "A Taste of Maldives", with an 800-bin wine list.

Athiri

Beachfront · all day

Global home-style cooking by chefs from 14 nationalities, with wood-fired pizza throughout the day.

Tavaru

Teppanyaki · 24 seats

Japanese tasting menus at the top of the tallest building on any Maldives resort island, above a wine cellar of more than 1,000 labels.

Faiy

Wellbeing Village

Light, clean, unprocessed food in a garden overlooking the golf greens.

Cru Champagne Bar

Overwater

Beside Aragu, pouring some of the world's rarest champagnes with the sommelier team.

Avi Bar and Beach Bar

Sunset and daytime

Sunset cocktails, then a DJ or live band at Avi; juices and snacks on the watersports beach.

Aragu was the only restaurant in the Maldives voted into Asia's 50 Best Restaurants top 100 in 2021, and holds Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence.
Velaa press kit

Overwater restaurant interior with hundreds of hanging flying-fish sculptures, an onyx bar and tables above the lagoon at Aragu, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — Aragu, Velaa's overwater signature restaurant. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Overwater champagne bar with a long counter, sculpted vases and ocean views at the Cru Champagne Bar, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — The Cru Champagne Bar sits over the water beside Aragu. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Circular wine cellar with floor-to-ceiling bottle racks around a private dining table under a sculptural light at Tavaru, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — The Tavaru wine cellar, with more than 1,000 labels. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

04Spa and wellbeing

The only snow room in the Maldives

Velaa Spa

Six double treatment villas suspended over the lagoon.
A snow room for hot and cold therapy, the only one in the country.
Facials by Dr Burgener Switzerland and traditional Asian massage.
Cloud 9, a swaying relaxation pod designed by the Viennese artist Sha.

Velaa Wellbeing Village

Eveylaa Wellbeing: Ayurvedic doctors, osteopaths and manual medicine specialists, with Shirodhara, steam and a floatation Dream Pod.
Programmes built after a first consultation: treatments, movement, nutrition and sleep.
A yoga pavilion above the golf greens and a reformer Pilates studio.

Aerial view of thatched overwater spa treatment villas on stilts in a turquoise lagoon off the beach at Velaa Spa, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — Velaa Spa's overwater treatment villas. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Overwater spa treatment room with a bathtub, daybed and glass doors open to the lagoon at Velaa Spa, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — An overwater treatment room at Velaa Spa. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Thatched two-storey yoga pavilion rising above a lawn and palm trees at the Wellbeing Village, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — The yoga pavilion in Velaa's Wellbeing Village. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

05Golf and sport

Golf, tennis and padel on a private island

Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal

Nine holes with nine tees, six greens, seven bunkers and a lake, designed by José María Olazábal.
Managed by Troon, with PGA professionals for one-to-one lessons.
An air-conditioned swing studio with Trackman 4 that opens onto the greens.
A putting green and family programmes for beginners.

Courts and fitness

One of the only covered tennis courts in the Maldives.
Two padel courts, a covered squash court and badminton.
Climbing wall, beach volleyball, a football pitch and a Technogym gym.

Aerial view of a nine-hole golf course with greens, bunkers and a turquoise lake among palm trees at Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal, Maldives — Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, a nine-hole course. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Golfer hitting from an open-sided indoor swing studio onto a green with a PGA coach watching at Velaa Golf Academy, Maldives — The swing studio at Velaa Golf Academy, with PGA professionals. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

Player on a covered grass-effect tennis court under a large open timber roof surrounded by tropical gardens at Velaa Private Island, Maldives — One of the only covered tennis courts in the Maldives. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

06On and under the water

Reefs, dive sites and the latest water toys

Snorkelling and diving

A house reef for snorkelling, with untouched reefs 15 to 20 minutes by boat.
A PADI dive centre with private boat dives and courses up to Divemaster.
Bubblemaker for children aged 8 to 10, and night snorkelling.

Watersports and excursions

Flyboard, jetovator, jetsurf, foil boards, seabobs, kite surfing and wakesurf.
Big-game fishing, dolphin cruises and desert island picnics.
Sailing, windsurfing, kayaks and paddleboards.

Coral restoration

One of the largest coral restoration programmes in the Maldives.
Snorkel or dive with the resident marine biologist.
Adopt a coral line and receive updates as it grows.

07Families

A kids club, family houses and residences for ten

Lha Velaa Kids Club, ages 4 to 12

Created with Worldwide Kids, around a seaplane playground with slides and climbing.
An Energy Studio of movement games, and a calm Relax Haven.
Cooking and science sessions in the Cooking and Experiment Pavilion.

Villas for families

Beach Pool Houses with two bedrooms and a shallow pool area.
Private Residences for up to ten, with an outdoor cinema.
Sofa beds for a small child in Deluxe Beach Pool Villas and Sunrise Water Pool Villas.

Young child playing with a kids club host on colourful foam mats beside shelves of books and toys at the Lha Velaa Kids Club, Velaa Private Island, Maldives — Lha Velaa Kids Club, for ages 4 to 12. Photo: Velaa Private Island.

08Our honest view

Who Velaa suits, and who should skip it

Choose it for

Couples wanting one of the most private villas for two in the country, the Romantic Pool Residence.
Families and groups who need two-bedroom houses or four-bedroom residences with staff.
Golfers, tennis players and active travellers: more facilities than almost any island.
Food and wine lovers: Aragu, Tavaru and a 1,000-label cellar.

Skip it if

You are watching the overall cost: it is one of the most expensive islands in the Maldives.
You want a small, barefoot island: Velaa is polished and busy with things to do.
You want a short transfer: the seaplane takes 45 minutes and flies in daylight only.

When and how long

December to April: dry and calm, best for golf and diving.
May to November: greener, quieter and better offers.
5 nights for the spa, Aragu and a round of golf; 7 or more for families and residences.

09Getting there

Seaplane, private seaplane or private jet

Transfers

Seaplane about 45 minutes from Velana International Airport, in daylight.
Velaa's own nine-seat seaplane can be chartered for a private flight.
Private jets land at Maafaru International Airport, 26.6 km away, then 20 minutes by boat.
We time every transfer to your international flights.

Weddings and celebrations

Beach ceremonies with traditional Bodu Beru drumming, and proposal set-ups.
Honeymoon picks: a Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa or the Romantic Pool Residence.
Whole-island use for up to 134 guests: see island buyouts.
Compare Velaa with Soneva Jani side by side.

10FAQs

Velaa Private Island: your questions answered

Where is Velaa Private Island?

Velaa is in Noonu Atoll in the north of the Maldives, 187 km from Malé. It is a 45-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, either on a shared seaplane or on Velaa's own nine-seat private seaplane.

How do you get to Velaa by private jet?

Private jets can land at Maafaru International Airport in Noonu Atoll, 26.6 km from the island, and Velaa's boats take you the rest of the way in about 20 minutes. We can arrange the jet, the landing and the boat as one booking.

How many villas does Velaa have?

47 villas, houses and residences for up to 134 guests. 29 are on the beach and 18 over the water, and every one has a private pool and a butler.

What is the Romantic Pool Residence at Velaa?

A one-bedroom residence of 598 sq m standing alone in the lagoon, reached only by boat. It has a 16.5 m pool, a jacuzzi, a sunken bath, its own gym and treatment room, a kitchen for a private chef and a private beach.

Does Velaa have a golf course?

Yes. Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal is a nine-hole course designed by José María Olazábal, with six greens, seven bunkers and a lake, plus a swing studio with Trackman 4 and PGA professionals. It is one of the very few places to play golf in the Maldives.

Is Velaa good for families?

Yes. The Lha Velaa Kids Club takes children from 4 to 12, Beach Pool Houses have two bedrooms and a shallow pool area for children, and the four-bedroom Private Residences sleep up to ten. The dive centre runs Bubblemaker for ages 8 to 10.

What restaurants are at Velaa?

Aragu, the overwater signature restaurant; Athiri for all-day beach dining; Tavaru for teppanyaki in a tower with a 1,000-label wine cellar; and Faiy, a wellness restaurant. Bars include the overwater Cru Champagne Bar, Avi Bar and the Beach Bar.

Can you book all of Velaa for a private event?

Yes, the whole island can be booked exclusively for up to 134 guests, subject to dates and a minimum stay. See our guide to private island buyouts.

How much does Velaa cost?

It depends on the villa, season and meal plan, and rates change daily, so we do not publish live rates. Send us your dates and who is travelling, and we will quote two or three villa options with seaplane, meal plan and taxes included.

11Head to head

Velaa vs Cheval Blanc Randheli: which Noonu private island?

Velaa is the more private and sporty of the pair, with a golf academy, padel and the option to book the whole island. Cheval Blanc Randheli, also in Noonu, leans to design, French gastronomy and one of the best children's clubs anywhere. For a celebration or buyout, Velaa; for a family with young children, Cheval Blanc.

From our comparison data, built from both resorts' fact sheets.
	Velaa Private Island	Cheval Blanc Randheli
Scale	47 keys	46 villas
Whole-island booking	Yes, up to 134 guests	No (Private Island villa only)
Sport	Golf academy, tennis, padel	Water sports, spa
Kids	Lha Velaa kids club	Le Carrousel with water park
Signature dining	Aragu	Le 1947
Transfer	Seaplane about 45 min; jet to Maafaru	Own seaplane about 40 min

Velaa suits

Buyouts, weddings and big celebrations.
Golfers and racquet sports fans.
Guests who value privacy above all.

Cheval Blanc suits

Food and design lovers.
Families with young children.
Couples who want a lively, polished resort.

Compare them side by side in our luxury resort comparison, or read our Cheval Blanc guide.

Plan Velaa with a Malé-based agency

HolidayVibe Maldives is a trusted brand in the Maldives travel industry, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT.O1.RS.TA.25.RD9933). We are luxury travel experts in the Maldives and often better value than booking sites, with villa, transfers, meal plan and offers in one written quote.