Much of Vakkaru Maldive's appeal is its privileged setting in Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the Baa Atoll, with a thriving house reef, deep blue hole just off shore and no other island in sight. Fringed with white sand merging into turquoise lagoon, this lush pocket of land provides the backdrop for indulgence and relaxation.
Awarded: Silver
Location
This marine-life rich region is celebrated for the hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks that gather here each year. Speedboats take guests across the waves to snorkel with these marina creatures at Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected sanctuary where they’re known to feed on the plankton. If you don’t have any luck here, you can take a detour to any one of the atoll’s reefs. The island is a mesmerising 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé or a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport followed by speedboat transfer.
Rooms
The first thing that strikes about the villas here is that they’re huge. Described as earthy yet elegant, the interiors combine sleek, modern design in wood and white with Maldivian accents, such as carved wooden artwork, pops of colour and patterned fabric. Everything from the curtains to the entertainment system can be controlled using your in-suite tablet. Fitting the classic Maldivian aesthetic, villas are palm thatched and either tucked into the island’s vegetation or on stilts over the water. Some come with private plunge pools and they all have outdoor living space. Choose between overwater and beach villas for couples and families and the four-bedroom overwater pool residence.
Overwater villas line the lagoon’s boardwalks and beach villas lie just footsteps from the sand. The high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass and open sides of each space draw these natural surroundings in.
Communal Areas
A small almond-shaped island, Vakkaru flourishes with tropical plants — more than 2,300 fully grown coconut trees reflect its past as a coconut plantation. Sandy avenues lead you between these trees to ocean-facing restaurants and bars, an overwater spa and pristine shores where you’re more often than not the only one there.
Activities
Merana Spa is one of the resort’s triumphs. Standalone couples’ suites, single treatment rooms and an outdoor relaxation area sit on stilts over the cerulean sea with glass panels for watching parrotfish swim beneath you. The overwater gym comes with a wooden deck for sunrise yoga and the tennis, badminton and volleyball courts lie hidden within the palm-forested island. The water sports centre Splash then offers scuba diving with accredited PADI instructors and it’s from here that you’ll set out on excursions. The service is personalised, laidback and friendly throughout.
Bed & Breakfast
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
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The Maldives’ weather in January is hot, with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. There may be some rain, but at this time of year, it passes very quickly. It’s a great month to visit the Maldives and booking in advance is advised. There’s also great visibility for diving and snorkeling.
February is an excellent time to travel to the Maldives. It’s the Maldives’ driest month, with less than 70mm of monthly rainfall, average maximum temperatures of 30°C, and around 10 hours of sunshine each day. Visibility for diving and snorkeling is excellent.
In March, temperatures in the Maldives rise to an average maximum of 31°C – great for long days on the beach. Possible short bursts of rain offer relief from the hot temperatures. Visibility for diving and snorkeling is excellent and March also sees the start of the surfing season in the Maldives.
April is another wonderfully hot month in the Maldives. This is the end of the Maldives’ official dry season and there are often showers mid-month. It’s also a little more humid. Water visibility for diving and snorkeling is still very good.
May is hot, with average maximum temperatures of 31°C, but is the start of the Maldives’ official wet season and comes with risks of storms and possible whole days of rain. Diving visibility is slightly reduced due to the plankton in the water. The holy month of Ramadan (known as Ramazan in the Maldives) begins in May although the exact date changes each year. Guests visiting Maldives’ resorts during the holy month are unlikely to notice anything different to any other month – meals and alcohol are served as usual. If you’re visiting a local island, there will be some restrictions that you’ll understandably be asked to respect.
June is another month in the Maldives with a high chance of rainfall. It’s a good time to take advantage of the best value offers if you’re willing to spend as much time enjoying your resort’s facilities as on the beach. Diving visibility is slightly reduced due to the plankton in the water, however, there’s a huge advantage for divers as manta rays and whale sharks come to feed on the plankton. The holy month of Ramadan continues into June.
The Maldives’ weather in July is hot and humid, with short heavy downpours. This is another time to check for great value offers and is particularly good for surfers. Water visibility for diving is slightly reduced due to the plankton in the water, but the big draw underwater is the presence of manta rays and whale sharks. 26 July is Independence Day and you may see small parades and public celebrations on resort islands.
August in the Maldives is hot and humid, with an average of 7 hours of sunshine each day and short heavy downpours. Diving visibility is slightly reduced due to the plankton in the water, but enticing offers mean this is still a popular time to visit.
September is one of the Maldives’ wettest months. It sees average maximum temperatures of 30°C, and there’s still an average of 7 hours of sunshine each day. Diving visibility is slightly reduced due to the plankton in the water, but there are great opportunities to spot whale sharks and manta rays feeding on the plankton.
October is the Maldives’ wettest month, with high humidity and with possible whole days of rain. It’s a good time to take advantage of the best value offers if you’re willing to spend as much time enjoying your resort’s facilities as on the beach. October is the last month of the Maldives’ surfing season and the last month of the year for good sightings of whale sharks and manta rays.
In November, temperatures in the Maldives are an average maximum of 30°C. The official wet season is finishing and although there are showers, the rain passes quickly.
The climate for the Maldives in December is largely hot and dry, though mid-month showers are likely. It’s an excellent choice for some winter sun. Christmas and New Year are particularly popular and may include minimum stays.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
