Enhancements, collaborations and family fun at Vakkaru Maldives

There are exciting times ahead at Vakkaru Maldives, a timeless sanctuary in the heart of the Baa Atoll. Villa upgrades, exclusive wellness programs and a partnership with a celebrity chef make this resort one of a kind.

Vakkaru’s 125 beach and overwater villas already offer a luxurious stay. During the current refurbishment, 22 private swimming pools and 10 private Jacuzzis will be added to select villas, launching at the end of November this year.

The resort’s four specialty restaurants serve cuisines from around the world. In mid-July, Vakkaru will be collaborating with Chef Marcel Thiele, known as the SPICEHUNTER®  and an International High End Gastronomy Expert in Europe, for an exclusive dining experience. With a focus on sustainable and ethical eating, Thiele has created a bespoke menu for Vakkaru following the ‘Mother Earth Principle’ of eating 80% plant-based and 20% meat. He will also be hosting private dinners and cooking classes for guests.

Fitness expert to the stars Yasmin Karachiwala invites gusts at Vakkaru to ‘hack their 21^st century digitised body’ during a special retreat at the resort from August 9-13. The holistic experience is based around pilates and Karachiwala will work with the Vakkaru culinary team to create wellness manus.

Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, June to October is prime manta ray season at Vakkaru. Take a short boat ride to the world famous Hanifaru Bay where the experienced crew will search for these majestic creatures. Jump into the ocean and snorkel alongside the giant rays as they cruise slowly through the crystal clear water.

There’s plenty for families at Vakkaru, too. Family-friendly villas have facilities like baby cots, monitors, strollers and bottle facilities. Little ones will love the daily activities at the Parrotfish Club and parents can enjoy a well-deserved break with complimentary babysitting. There’s a full program of activities that suit all ages, like kayaking, local island visits with a marine biologist, special kids’ scuba diving on the house reef and fishing.