Sumptuous Shore Leave

It sounds corny for a Maldivian resort to be built in the shape of a turtle, but about 20 yachts visit Velaa Private Island each year. They’re drawn by the coral reefs and marine biodiversity found in the Noonu Atoll, and the fact that the place is delightfully far removed from the tourist-filled resorts south of the Maldives’ densely populated capital, Malé.

“The Maldives offers the ultimate get-away-from-it-all experience, and everything the Indian Ocean has to offer,” says Y.CO charter broker Eleanor Bloodworth. “For a yacht that can operate diving, fishing and surfing, the Maldives is the ultimate playground. Within its remote atolls live incredible marine life, endless surf breaks and pristine beaches ideal for a superyacht beach setup.”

As part of a cruising or charter itinerary, Velaa is far enough away from the overpopulated resorts, yet close enough for convenient access to Velana International Airport. In 2020, Camper & Nicholsons International partnered with VistaJet to provide a jet-to-yacht experience here, giving guests access to the nine-hole Olazábal-designed golf course, the country’s only covered full-size tennis court (which transformed into a ballroom for New Year’s celebrations), courts for playing padel, squash and badminton, as well as areas for table tennis, beach volleyball and a climbing wall. A 15-minute leisurely cycle allows an island tour around a loop lined with pine trees, bougainvillea, wild orchids, and 29 beach pool houses, villas and private residences.

Velaa’s owner is Czech entrepreneur and financier Jiří Šmejc, who dreamed of building the ultimate private residence on his own Maldivian island. The country only permits acquisition of Maldivian land to non-citizens for tourism development, so he instead opened his wonderland to guests who appreciate the types of experiences found aboard superyachts.

For instance, the island runs on “Velaa time,” which is one hour ahead of the rest of the Maldives to allow guests to watch the sun set while having dinner. And, similar to “Nemo rooms” with see-through panes in the soles of yachts, 17 of the water villas here have “Nemo portholes” in their living-room floors. The island’s Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat. 

Wrasse, eagle rays and blacktip reef sharks swarm the fringing coral reef, attracted by the island’s coral regeneration program, the largest project of its kind throughout the 1,200 Maldivian islands. Designed and directed by the on-site coral biologist, Emeline Bouchet, the initiative was one of the first large-scale, midwater floating nurseries in the Maldives. It has seen coral growth increase by 5 percent since planting started three years ago. Its Orimas Thila is one of the best sites for divers interested in gray-shark encounters.

One of the most frequent superyachts to visit Velaa has been the 446-foot (136-meter) Lürssen Flying Fox. The 244-foot (74.5-meter) Amels Lady E based in the region for a monthlong charter in 2022. Resort guests can charter Velaa’s Princess S60 Rania, with a top speed of 34 knots.

After the day’s sun-kissed experiences are done, there are several dining options, including the restaurant Aragu and its 800-bottle wine list. Šmejc, who visits every three months, has accumulated one of the most exclusive wine collections across South Asia. With a focus on Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne offerings, a new wine is added every couple of months.

And, for yacht owners and charter guests who visit during the winter holidays and want a taste of the cold, there’s the option of stepping from the 84-degree midday heat into Velaa’s frigid snow room, the only one of its kind in the Maldives. 

For more information: velaaprivateisland.com

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This article was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue.