An island to yourself

On our recent trip to the Maldives, as we stood on the edge of the last situated Four Seasons’s water villas on the Landaagiraavaru island of Baa Atoll and stared straight across, we spotted a small beautiful green island encircled by shades of blue. It piqued our curiosity instantly and our guide at Landaa informed us it is Four Seasons’s first private island, Voavah — a unique and exclusive getaway in the archipelagic country of Maldives. The concept is to spend a vacation “in your own way, on your own island”, she said. I wondered what it would be like to be on such a vacation.

The next morning, we had a chance to explore the experience by travelling from Landaagiraavaru on a 20-minute speedboat ride. And voila! After mooring to the jetty, we were welcomed in the lap of nature with no sight of a human near or far! I was instantly reminded of the curious kid I used to be while reading Robinson Crusoe and watching marooned characters on uninhabited islands in films; but instead of any sense of trouble, we were in for an unimaginable luxuriousinterspersed-with-local retreat.

Spread across an area of five acres, Voavah is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male airport. The remote mid-ocean location of the island provides it with the facility of transfer by private jet to Velana or Maafaru international airports, too. Guests can avail of incognito access to this one-point entry island, with the privacy continuing on-site with 24-hour security and patrols, CCTV and night-vision cameras.

This island that evoked a sense of wonderment and curiosity in us is also the world’s first private island hideaway located in a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve. The soothing and relaxing panoramic view of the ocean blues, the chirping of the birds, the sudden touch of the cool ocean breeze and the refreshing view of greenery against the white sand right after landing on the jetty, was the start of the wonderful experience. A narrow path covered in white sand with dense greenery on either side led us further into the island.

It is a place that spells peace from the moment one steps on the land. Encircled by the beach, the island with modern villas can accommodate from two to 22 guests but requires a booking of a minimum of two days. Other than private vacations, Voavah is ideal for corporate retreats, creative sessions and incentive programs, as well as bespoke destination weddings and honeymoons, away from public or neighbourly intrusion. It is, of course, an ideal VIP travel destination as well, away from the paparazzi, for its service of well-maintained security and privacy.

Vacations become ideal when the stress of everyday life can be easily kept at bay and what better way than to spend it without an itinerary restriction or a fellow vacationer’s gaze, just with family or friends in the most relaxed way possible? The undisturbed ocean territory of Voavah, with a complete island life experience within its two hectares, gives ample opportunities to retreat, explore, connect and celebrate without any sense of inhibition. And although secluded, it doesn’t give any scope to feel bored! Amenities and activities are designed and curated in a way to suit different tastes and offer a fulfilling overall experience in this private haven.

On this island, managed by a multicultural on-site team of 30 staff members, the guest is spoiled with choice while choosing the ideal way to laze around. The stay is divided between seven luxurious bedrooms with calming views including a double-storey beach villa with three bedrooms, a twobedroom water villa and two mezzanine suites. The staff offers one-to-one service, being equally engaging when required and intuitively unintrusive when not. The stay is curated in a manner to give a homely vibe to the guest, balanced with the comfortable amenities and views giving the vacation vibe.

The beach villa done up in simple wooden and beach-chic aesthetics, is airy, naturally well lit and gives a sense of minimalism in the decor. Modern and luxurious with a local touch, it is situated adjacent to the powder-white sand and is ideal for exploring the crystal lagoon and vibrant reef. The master suite with ocean views on three sides along with the shady al fresco lounge is perfect for lazing around in the afternoon or at sundown with an unmatched beach vibe.

The private beach access makes the stay exciting with an opportunity to dive into the pristine blue waters and swim with the creatures making up its marine life. The private pool at the beach resort is just right for sunbathing during the day and for creating memories of a moonlit pool party at night. Outdoor garden showers add a local charm to the villa. The children’s room along with two other bedrooms make it ideal for accommodating six adults and two children. The fully-equipped gym, and private yoga, meditation and pranayama available upon request are ideal services to cool down the mind and body. The dining room and kitchen give a choice to the guest to opt for personal cooking, private chef or Four Seasons catering. Walking some steps away from the beach villa is the two-bedroom water villa, situated above the fishfilled crystal lagoon, with a master bedroom, an attached study/ children’s room and a separate kingsize bedroom. The living room leads to an al fresco deck with a 17-metre long sunset pool, sprinkled with loungers and hammocks. Steps lead down into some of the atoll’s clearest waters for snorkelling, turtle safaris or simply floating above the kaleidoscopic reef life. It is ideal for accommodating four adults and two children.

The two mezzanine suites at an elevated position overlook the vast beach, turquoise lagoon and biosphere reserve beyond. Each suite has a relaxing sea-view shower and panoramic balcony. The lounge area is complete with comfy seating and a pool table. It has a great kid’s floor with bunk beds. Voavah can also accommodate up to six private staff away from the guest area in two en-suite rooms adjacent to the beach house.

EXPERIENCING AN ANIMATED ISLAND LIFE

Life at Voavah is not just about luxuriously lazing around with cinematic, tranquil views at sight but also about animatedly spending time with ample options for outdoorand indoor activities. A major attraction is the private luxury yacht, Voavah Summer, to explore the thriving ocean life around the Voavah territory — protected Bathala to the north, manta hotspot Hanifaru to the south, secluded sandbanks to the east or catch the breathtaking Baa Atoll sunset on the west. Sunset cruises set the mood for a luxury vacation or a pre-wedding sundowner party. Beach barbecues and sandbank picnics are ideal to enjoy the days and nights on the island with family and children.

Private recreational activities allow adrenaline junkies to experience some thrill during their stay on the island. Guests can explore diving, snorkelling, fishing, surfing and motorised beach toys, including kite-surfing, parasailing, X-Jet Blades, wakeboarding, jet-skiing and windsurfing. The exciting Manta Ray excursions during Manta season (June to November) are an exclusive experience of Baa Atoll not to be missed. Custom-created activities, like treasure hunts and fun tube rides, marine conservation studies, building sand castles and hermit crab racing are equally enjoyable. Kid-specific entertainment includes fishing excursions, island-hopping, dolphin cruises and snorkelling.

For bespoke weddings and corporate parties on the island, intimate gigs, inner-circle concerts, champagne sunset soirees or DJ beach nights give the liberty of partying till the wee hours. The sublime scenic backdrop adds to the memories of such events, goes without saying. World-class chefs and celebrity party planners elevate these experiences to new heights with their services. Local experiences can also be added upon request for an event, like the traditional Maldivian bodu beru (big drum) dance troupe performance.

REJUVENATING

What adds the cherry on top to the entire rejuvenating experience is the bespoke treatments and therapies offered at The Ocean of Consciousness Spa. The treatments offered here are “inspired by the five pathways to consciousness: truth, wise choices, love, peace and compassion”. The process includes connecting to the pulse of the UNESCO Biosphere with bespoke resonance therapies and discovering the harmonic potential that exists when man and nature co-exist. The Rossano Ferretti Hair consultants from Landaa offer beauty treatments and the Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat of Landaa takes care of the guest’s wellbeing needs during the stay. In its entirety, Four Seasons’s private island, Voavah, is a unique serene sojourn, defined by unmatched luxury and top-notch privacy, giving an experience of no less than benignly living the life of Riley for a while.