Last Updated on June 17, 2022
The Velassaru Maldives Resort is located relatively close to Male compared to many other resorts, but it feels worlds away with some of the clearest water in the Maldives and stunning white sand beaches. Those crystal-clear waters make this the best Maldives resort for snorkeling.
We spent 3 nights at Velassaru Maldives and are convinced that you’ll find it the best Maldives resort for snorkeling. Our stay allowed us to put together this Velassaru Maldives review to help you decide if this is the right resort for you trip to the Maldives.
Disclaimer: We were provided our stay at the Velassaru Maldives complimentary. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and as always, all our opinions on this Velassaru Maldives review and what to do are our own. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!
Table of Contents
Velassaru Maldives Location
The Velassaru Maldives Resort is located on a private island in the South Male Atoll. The Velassaru Maldives is approximately 8 miles (12 km) southwest of Male. Everyone arriving in the Maldives will initially fly into Male International Airport and from there, you will then take a 25-minute speedboat ride to the Velassaru Maldives Resort.
If you’re visiting the Maldives for the first time, the whole arrival process can be quite intimidating. It’s a bit of complex organized chaos which always seems to work. It can be a stressful experience, especially if your incoming flight is delayed, but in reality, it will all work out and there’s nothing to worry about. Check out our Maldives for First-Timers Guide for all of the in’s and out’s of how traveling to the Maldives and the private islands works.
As the only way to reach the Velassaru Maldives Resort is by speedboat, that is how you will be getting there! The cost is $131 USD plus taxes per person for roundtrip speedboat transfer, which is significantly more affordable than the typical mandatory seaplane transfer charges to other resorts, and it will be included as part of your final hotel bill when you check-out. Alternatively, you can opt for a private speedboat transfer at a cost of $350 USD plus taxes.
Velassaru Maldives Arrival
When you clear Maldivian Customs & Immigration, grab your bags and head outside the airport. You will be met with hundreds of representatives from different hotels, all waving their resort’s sign in the air. Look for the Velassaru representative, or if you’re not able to find them you can ask a representative from a different hotel to help you find them. They will help you with your bags and escort you across the hall of the airport to the dock.
The boat dock at the airport is located immediately outside the exit, so you don’t have far to walk. You’ll be greeted aboard one of the Velassaru Maldives yachts, provided with bottled water to refresh, and soon enough you’ll be on your way! The boat ride from the airport takes about 25-minutes and along the way you will pass by downtown Male, which is the capital city of the Maldives. It’s great to have these up-close views of this fascinating city with towers and buildings taking up all of the small island.
As you leave the Male area you will pass by a few other resorts before arriving at Velassaru. As the speedboat pulls up to the dock, be prepared for a warm and friendly welcome to the Maldives from the staff at the Velassaru. You’ll be greeted and welcomed, and then will make the short walk to the reception area.
As we arrived during COVID-19 times, safety precautions were taken. A PCR test is required to arrive on the island, whether you arrive directly from your international flight (where your initial PCR test to get on the flight and enter the Maldives is all that is required) or if you arrive from another resort (where you will need to take a PCR test at that resort before arriving at the Velassaru Maldives). Additionally, the Velassaru Maldives can organize PCR tests for your departure while on island. At the time of our stay the cost was a very reasonable $60 USD, plus taxes, per person.
As we arrived in the large outdoor check-in area, our temperatures were taken, and we were provided with hand sanitizer. All staff are wearing masks throughout the resort but guests are not required to wear masks, including in the buffet areas.
Check-in was completed quickly, and the layout of the resort, dining options, and other amenities were all explained to us. We were then escorted to our room, with our luggage following shortly thereafter.
Velassaru Maldives Rooms
The Velassaru has a large number of room types, ready to please every type of traveler. No matter which room type you are staying in on the island you can expect daily housekeeping. Bottled water and in-room coffee and tea are included complimentary in the room and is replenished each day.
Beach Villas
The entry level rooms are the Deluxe Bungalows, which are located on the interior of the island surrounded by lush greenery. They are just a short walk out to the beach and the rest of the resort amenities. Additionally, there are a large number of other villas, with or without pools, that are located along the beach surrounding the island.
All rooms, no matter the location, include all the amenities you’d expect of a Maldives resort such as a minibar and wine fridge, ironing board, large flat-screen TV, nice L’Occitane bath products, bathrobes, a beach bag and beach towels, as well as cool Velassaru branded flip-flops! We thought these flip-flops were brilliant, as every step you take in the sand imprints ‘VELASSARU’ on the ground. Beach Villa categories and higher also features a Nespresso coffee machine.
Overwater Villas
Heading out to the overwater villas along the overwater pathway is a fantastic experience. As you pass by the pathway to the spa, this is a great location for beautiful photos using the two curving walkways to symmetrically frame your photo. As you get closer to your room you’re bound to see fish swimming in the fantastically clear water below, and even perhaps a manta ray or reef shark, both of which we saw during our stay. During our stay at the Velassaru Maldives resort, we stayed in a Water Villa.
The Water Villas have a large bedroom with huge vaulted ceilings, and floor to ceiling windows across the back of the room so that you have uninterrupted views of the incredible turquoise waters. There is also a large sitting area inside, desk and working area near the minibar, and makeup table. The bathroom features double sinks, a large rain shower, and a beautiful soaker tub in the middle of the bathroom.
Due to the way the villas are situated and designed; you have full privacy despite all of the windows looking out towards the water. Of course, if people are in the water nearby your villa they can see you, but the overall feeling is very private without spoiling the views.
Outside on the large private deck there is a comfortable round sun bed, as well as two lounge chairs with umbrella. Of course, there is also direct access to the water. Great swimming and snorkeling are just outside your room and down the stairs. When you head out into the water and are looking back at all of the villas it can be hard to tell which one is yours, but once you get closer you realize that each one has the room number printed on the water side as well, a nice touch! These touches are one of the reasons that this is the best Maldives resort for snorkeling.
There are additional overwater villas available that include your own private pool, as well as the ultimate indulgence: The Water Suite which you can’t help but notice towering above the water all by itself at the very end of the overwater villa pathway.
Velassaru Maldives Amenities
When you go to any resort in the Maldives it’s important to consider all of the amenities available on the island because you don’t have the option of heading somewhere else if you’re bored. Luckily, the Velassaru Maldives has lots of options to keep you busy, for those times that you don’t feel like relaxing in your villa or at the beach. If you love being in the water, Velassaru is the best Maldives resort for snorkeling.
Complimentary Amenities
The Velassaru Maldives Resort has a number of amenities available on the island to keep you busy throughout your stay. The main pool area is located just in front of the restaurants and can be accessed any time of day. There’s tons of lounges and chairs around the infinity pool and in the nearby areas to relax in. In fact, there are lounge chairs and umbrellas located all around the outside of the island so you can find the perfect spot for you to sit down and relax. The Velassaru has perfect white sand beaches surrounding the full island, with crystal clear turquoise water everywhere you look.
The Velassaru offers all guests complimentary onsite photography sessions while on island, so that you can have some photos to remember your stay here. All you need to do is schedule a time with the onsite photographer, wear your fancy clothes (optional) and smile away, which shouldn’t be too difficult because you’re in the Maldives!
If you have specific areas of the resort or types of photos you already want, they can accommodate that, or the photographer can provide all sorts of photo location and pose ideas. Once you’re done you can select one of the photos to be printed free of charge. You can also purchase different packages depending on how many of the photos you would like to take home!
The Velassaru Maldives Resort also has a fitness center which is available from 6:00 AM until 10:30 PM and located in the center of the island. We also saw many people out jogging on the beach in the morning. It’s not hard to get up and go for a jog when the weather is warm and you have views as epic as the Velassaru. Amongst the tropical plants on the island there is also a tennis court available for use.
Note that for families staying at the Velassaru Maldives Resort, there is not a kids club available on the island.
One of the great things that the Velassaru Maldives Resort includes is complimentary snorkel equipment, helping make it the best Maldives resort for snorkeling. You can pick up the snorkel gear at the Dive Center, which is located on the platform where you arrived by speedboat. The staff will help you find the right size gear, and then you can keep it for the duration of your stay. There are also lifejackets included in the rooms, specifically for snorkeling. This is perfect, especially if you’re staying in an overwater villa, as you’re never more than a few steps away from some epic snorkeling.
The Velassaru Maldives also offers a few unique activities to all guests, all you need to do is sign-up in advance as space is limited. Check with the resort just prior to your stay to see the schedule and reserve your favorites. The options that are available twice a week are a complimentary morning cruise around the island or a guided snorkeling tour around the house reef. Three times per week there is sunset yoga available, which is located near the boardwalk to the overwater villas, and is the perfect place for a relaxing yoga session and to take in the sunset! We had such an amazing yoga experience here during out stay and can highly recommend it.
Wi-fi is included in all room rates, and the high-speed connection is easily accessed anywhere on the island. We had no problems connecting either in our room, while dining, or even while relaxing on the beach.
Additional Available Amenities
As mentioned above, there’s both a dive center and water sports center on the island. You can arrange a multitude of different dives and dive certifications. The water sports center also rents jet skis, windsurfing boards, or you can arrange a boat trip for sightseeing, snorkeling, water-skiing, and more. The resort also offers sunset cruises aboard a beautiful a typical old Maldivian style boat. Aboard the boat is a fantastic location to take in the sunset, and the cruise also includes a drink and some canapes.
If you’re looking to really up the relaxation factor on your Maldives vacation, the Velassaru Spa has all of the typical spa treatments available. What makes this spa unique is its beautiful location over the water on an area separate from the overwater villas. The outdoor relaxation area with infinity pool is a wonderful place to relax before or after your spa treatment.
Velassaru Maldives Dining
No matter where you are staying in the Maldives, you can’t just leave the resort to head out for dinner. That’s why the dining options at Maldives resorts are so important as you don’t have the flexibility of a typical vacation. Luckily, the Velassaru Maldives includes five different restaurants and two bars so that you have some great dining variety during your stay. Given the nature of dining in the Maldives, the Velassaru Maldives Resort offers a few different meal plan packages to best suite your needs.
Meal Plan Options
It pays to do some research on the dining options available at your selected Maldives resort beforehand, and incorporate that information into your decision of where to stay in the Maldives. At the Velassaru Maldives Resort nearly every room rate will already include breakfast.
The next step up is a half-board meal plan. This adds on the ability to dine at Vela Restaurant for their dinner buffet each night. The upgrade cost is $49 USD daily per person.
Above half-board is the full-board option. This option costs an additional $74 USD daily per person and includes lunch a la carte at Turquoise (where you can choose an appetizer, main dish, and dessert), and the dinner buffet at Vela.
One thing to keep in mind with the half-board and full-board options is that no drinks are included in these packages (including water).
Lastly, you can also opt for an upgrade to the Velassaru Indulgence package, which gives you the best culinary options on the island and costs an additional $245 USD daily per person. With this package you can choose to have lunch at either the Infinity Pool, Turquoise Restaurant, Fen Bar, or Chill Bar. For dinner you have the option of Sand Restaurant, Teppanyaki, Turquoise, and Vela each night. The Velassaru Indulgence package also includes all non-alcoholic drinks and select beer, wine, and other liquor. Not related to dining, the Velassaru Indulgence package entitles you to a daily two-hour usage of an ocean kayak.
Given the high cost of food in general in the Maldives, we think that the choosing one of the dining packages is the best option as opposed to ordering all food a la carte. The meal options let you have a delicious and filling meal after a day spent at the best Maldives resort for snorkeling, but of course do what works best for you on your vacation!
Vela Restaurant
The Vela Restaurant is the primary dining place on the island, and is located in the main central hub of the island along with the other restaurants and the main pool. The restaurant is all open-air and features buffet style dining for breakfast and dinner.
For breakfast, the Vela Restaurant spread is extensive. There is a large selection of freshly baked breads, along with pastries, and a nearby assortment of meats and cheese as well as a salad bar. In the middle of the buffet area there are multiple hot dishes to choose from featuring Indian, English, and International cuisines. There is also a fruit station, dessert station, custom omelet station and pancake and crepe station. Tea and coffee are included, and you can also have barista made drinks brought to your table. We found the food selection extensive, and food quality in line with what you might expect for resort buffets.
For dinner, Vela also offers a huge buffet. The pre-crafted salads were impressive, as was the delicious homemade bread selection. We loved all of the Mediterranean items. Similar to breakfast, there is a large selection of hot dishes available, as well as rotating stations which make food to order. One day the made to order station was a pasta bar where you selected your type of pasta, type of sauce, and other ingredients, the other day it was a grill station where you could choose different grilled meats and vegetables.
Throughout the day, Vela is open for a la carte dining for lunch or a light snack.
Turquoise Restaurant
The Turquoise Restaurant is located next to Vela, and immediately in front of the infinity pool. Turquoise is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a la carte dining, featuring a mix of Continental and Asian influences. We dined at Turquoise for lunch a couple of times and really enjoyed a number of items. Highlights for appetizers were the Coconut crusted prawns which were huge, and delicious, and the Maldivian Smoked Chicken Salad which was light and refreshing.
For main dishes, we can recommend the pizzas any day of the week, and the burger was better than expected as well.
Sand Restaurant
The Sand Restaurant lives up to its name with each of the tables separately located under various huts right on the beach, with excellent views at the water’s edge. The Sand Restaurant is one of the premium restaurants open for dinner only, and specializes in Pan-Indian Ocean dishes. We sampled a few dishes for appetizers and mains and really enjoyed the starters and as well as the Maldivian Chicken and Prawn Curry.
Other Dining Options
Of course, you can also order room-service anytime of the day or night and enjoy a great meal on your terrace, or even have breakfast in bed. Note that in-room dining is not included in any of the meal plans.
In addition to Sand, the other premium dining options for dinner include the Teppanyaki experience, which has an amazing location out over the water, and Etesian for gourmet Latin-American inspired cuisine. We did not dine at these restaurants during our stay, but they always seemed to be busy each night.
Between the restaurant area and the check-in area is where you’ll find the cool looking Fen Bar. You can choose to sit on the decks outside the bar, or in the hammocks and lounge chairs amongst the sand and palm trees. Fen Bar is a great spot to spend an evening, especially because there is live music playing here in the evenings. Fen Bar also provides the drink and snack service to the lounges around the infinity pool.
On the other side of the island you will find the Chill Bar, know for it’s cocktails, and sunset views.
Velassaru Maldives Review Conclusion
When planning your vacation to the Maldives it is incredibly important that you choose the right resort for you. Unlike other vacations there is no sightseeing or visiting a city, your resort choice is your vacation destination. The Velassaru Maldives is a great choice for your trip, with the amazing beaches and stunning water being what really set the Velassaru Maldives apart. The stunning location makes the Velassaru the best Maldives resort for snorkeling. Overall, the Velassaru Maldives is a great resort with a wide selection of dining options, a quick and affordable transfer, and plenty of room type options to match your needs.
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