Why Vakkaru should be your clients’ next Maldivian escape
This tiny isle packs a punch with delectable dining options and activities aplenty
“Is this a dream, mummy?” asks my three-year-old son as we’re whizzed around the island of Vakkaru on the back of a golf buggy. Yes, my toddler is deliriously tired after a lengthy overnight flight from London to Malé and very little sleep, but his question is pertinent, so idyllic are our surroundings. In fact, as he asks, I feel the need to double-check whether we’re in some dreamlike state or if this place is, in fact, as perfect as it appears. Our butler Sato laughs and confirms we’re all wide awake and have simply arrived in paradise. This almond-shaped sanctuary – a tiny speck of an island – is a short 35-minute seaplane ride from Malé and is in the Baa Atoll, a pristine Unesco Biosphere Reserve with a thrilling underwater world. Fellow guests on board our flight are well-heeled but unpretentious. I spot a Birkin handbag and Gucci trainers, but this isn’t a place for in-your-face luxury.
Instead, guests here are unassuming and discreet. That feeling of discretion continues as we arrive, with guests welcomed by their butlers and whisked to their villas for check-in. There are 111 villas dotted across this tiny isle, of which 59 are located over the lapping, azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The beach villas, meanwhile, are concealed among the island’s towering coconut trees and epic foliage, perfect for clients seeking ultimate privacy. The top accommodation – The Vakkaru Over Water Residence – sleeps 16 and is one of the biggest in the Maldives. Previously home to a coconut plantation, staff regularly tell me I won’t find another island with as impressive greenery as Vakkaru, which translates to mean coconut timber in the locally used language of Dhivehi. The 2,000-odd towering palms that fringe the sandy pathways of the island are beguiling and certainly add to the island’s magic – something newer man-made islands would no doubt aim to replicate. A walk through the island’s organic garden unveils ambitions for even more greenery, with trees planted by guests and heartwarming dedication signs beside them.
Perfect place
Vakkaru’s location is a real highlight. As we stroll across its marshmallow-soft, white-sand shores, there’s not another island in sight – a rarity in the Maldives, where so many properties are a stone’s throw from one another. In fact, we go on to hop between another four resorts and don’t experience such seclusion again. The surrounding waters are also teeming with tropical fish. Guests booked in villas at the farthest point of the jetty have the benefit of being directly above the Blue Hole, but any guest can access this epic snorkelling site, with stairs from the pier taking you directly into the water and kayaks available for those journeying from the beach. We spot giant stingrays and a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured fish. Staff inform us that turtles swim here and sharks and manta rays are also often sighted. For such a small island, Vakkaru punches above its weight with the facilities on offer.
Eight restaurant options mean guests will never get bored with the culinary offering. From breakfast on the beach at Amaany to the Japanese cuisine at the Lagoon Bar, the food is a joy and you won’t have a bad meal here. We love the sushi and sashimi at the Lagoon Bar, the grilled meats at open-air restaurant Vakku and Isoletta’s poolside menu. For wine enthusiasts, recommend an experience at the Vakkaru Reserve, an impressive cellar home to more than 250 wine varieties. The overwater spa is another triumph. With an Ayurvedic specialist on site and couples and single treatment rooms located on stilts, the Merana Spa is a very special place. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some TLC and, for those seeking more of an MOT, the Ayurvedic doctor will no doubt help uncover any health issues that need addressing. The pièce de résistance of the spa is the outdoor relaxation area where guests head for an infused tea after their treatments. It’s home to a steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool and infinity-style hot tub that delivers incredible views over the surrounding ocean. While here, two young children emerge with their grandmother having had a chocolate-themed treatment.
Activities aplenty
Youngsters are well catered to in the spa – and across the island. When we visit the Parrotfish kids’ club, it’s clear how popular it is, with plenty of children enjoying themselves. Mini sunloungers surround a shallow pool and staff work hard to keep little ones busy. Our stay coincides with Halloween and the themed activities are extensive, with trick or treat parades around the island, supplied fancy dress outfits and movie nights on offer. Staff even dress up as Minions as they look to bring smiles to the faces of their tiny guests. Active clients can enjoy the watersports at Splash; battle it out on courts dedicated to tennis, padel and badminton; or enjoy the overwater gym, also home to a yoga deck. My favourite source of exercise comes in the form of a simple walk along the shores of the island. On one occasion during an evening stroll, we spot a tiny reef shark swimming in the shallows as we all dip our toes in the warm water. Moments later we see several starfish and a giant ray glides past. We continue along the sand, bound for a mocktail on the beach as the sun dips out of sight. A dream, indeed!
Book it: Nightly B&B rates at Vakkaru start from $955 for a Beach Villa and from $1,135 for an Over Water Villa.
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