Maldives Velavaru Island Experience Sharing

Choosing an island can be quite a headache, so it's advisable to focus on the major aspects. For instance, I wanted a water villa with a pool and a net bed, preferably all-inclusive, and accessible by seaplane (as speedboat and domestic flight transfers can be exhausting, and seaplanes offer scenic views despite being noisy and hot). The two-story water villa caught my eye immediately. Velavaru Island offers two types of all-inclusive packages: one for dining and drinking, which includes three meals, beverages, and a minibar, and another for activities, which includes breakfast and dinner plus a $75 daily credit per person for additional expenses. Arrival: Regardless of your arrival time in Malé, it's recommended to spend the first night there. If there are any issues with your international flight, you won't waste a night on the island, which could affect your mood. Accommodation in Malé is quite basic, similar to a guesthouse, costing around $800 per night. The next day, the earliest seaplane transfer to the island is usually arranged. We checked out at 6 AM, had breakfast at the seaplane lounge around 7 AM, and flew at about 9 AM to maximize our time on the island. Note: Seaplanes allow only 50KG of luggage for two people. We exceeded this and paid over $30 in luggage fees. Dining: Guests in beach villas can choose a three-course meal at the main buffet restaurant and Pool Bar, while water villa guests can dine at Azzurol Restaurant. Funa Restaurant requires an additional fee, as does in-room dining. The buffet varies slightly each day, offering a decent variety, including some Chinese flavors. On the first night, we selected ingredients for a stir-fry. Azzurol Restaurant offers more premium ingredients, with fresh seafood in a three-course meal. Overall, the food at all three venues was quite good. Water Activities: You can kayak or paddleboard for an hour daily. Be cautious, as the sea can be rough, and you might need to pay $55 per person for rescue if you can't return. Snorkeling gear is provided for free after passing a swimming test. Paid activities include banana boats and jet skis. The hotel offers complimentary sunset cruises or night fishing. Tipping: The island doesn't have personal butlers. Initially, a Chinese staff member showed us to our room, and I tipped $20, which felt unnecessary. It's not recommended to seek out Chinese staff as they are often busy with many guests. She told us night fishing was unavailable until our departure day. The next day, I found an English-speaking staff member who promised to arrange a second boat and asked us to wait for confirmation, so I tipped $10. On the third day, we were confirmed for fishing and I tipped another $10. It's unclear if the tips helped, but we received a sunset room type closer to the coral cliffs. Our final bill included $600 in credits, with $400 spent on a spa (90 minutes for $200 per person, very nice) and $200 on a sunset cruise ($125 per person), with an additional $50 not charged. Diving wasn't covered by the credit, costing $400. Tips included $10 for the dive, $5 for the boat crew, $2-5 for housekeeping, and $5 per person for luggage handling and breakfast setup. Tipping is essential, especially for key staff, as it can lead to pleasant surprises. A couple next to us at checkout mentioned they couldn't book night fishing. PS: The rooms in the pictures are not the basic types. #DareToMove #MaldivesHoneymoon #AngelaMaldives