Four Seasons Maldives Private Island Voavah: the world’s first exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Opened in December 2016, the first exclusive-use private island managed by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the Private Island at Voavah is a five-acre playground in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering natural wilderness flanked by white beaches and crystal clear water. Voavah’s seven bedrooms are located across three living spaces: a three-bedroom Beach Villa; a two-bedroom Water Villa over the lagoon as well as two elevated panoramic Mezzanine Suites in the double-storey Beach House.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The guestrooms feature muted earthy palettes, with the canopies of the four-poster beds sheathed in muslin, and an assembly of antiquities including intricately carved wooden doors from Indonesia, sideboards from Rajasthan and reclaimed Maldivian artefacts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”19891″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]They come with full Wi-Fi coverage, IP television, a DVD player and in-room movies available.

The bi-level Beach House functions as the island’s social hub. It has two ocean-view suites on the top floor, each with their own balcony, in addition to a bunk room that can fit four children and acts as a perfect gathering space. It comes with a gym, library, a loft lounge with a pool table, kitchen, dining room, and an open-fronted living room that looks out onto an expansive patio with an infinity pool flanked by an extensive sunset-facing beach. Nearby, a walk through a shaded garden leads to The Ocean of Consciousness Spa.

The Ocean of Consciousness Spa provides personalised spa experiences focused on an emotion or attribute – such as Truth, Wise, Action, Love, Peace and Compassion – which residents wish to attain. The treatments are skilfully administered and their finale, the humming of gently reverberating crystal bowls, is a transcendental experience. The multi-award winning therapists’ customised treatments are combined with therapeutic massages while on-call Rossano Ferretti stylists tend to all your grooming needs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”19890″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Birthday surprises, party planning, sunset proposals, creative cuisine and one-to-one marine, manta and Ayurvedic insights are offered for Voavah’s guests.  But whatever efforts the team makes to keep its residents entertained on land, nothing is likely to outshine what is available to them in the water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Set in Baa Atoll, the Indian Ocean’s first Biosphere Reserve, the stunning Four Seasons Private Island at Voavah is the world’s first exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway, encircled by underwater wonders and extraordinary natural beauty. Indeed, Four Seasons developed Voavah in close coordination with local environmental consultancies to ensure proper maintenance of the balance between man and nature, culture and conservation – in keeping with the prerequisites of the Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere designation.

The island’s resident marine biologist, dive and snorkel instructors can help you access the world’s biggest known population of manta rays along with green turtles, hawksbill, reef sharks and dolphins which inhabit the surrounding area. Experienced divers can also embark on courses from Enriched Air Nitrox to Underwater Photography to explore coral-filled overhangs, vibrant Thila’s (underwater pinnacles) and undisturbed wrecks.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Fishing, island-hopping, dolphin sightings, snorkelling and overnight excursions can also be arranged on the 62-foot (19-metre) yacht Voavah Summer. If your ideal vacation involves a surfboard, then you can visit the unknown breaks in the Maldives’ northern Lhaviyani Atoll to experience wilderness surfing at its best.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”19886″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Guests can also look forward to enjoying water sports such as high-flying X-Jetblades, kitesurfing, jet skis and Seabobs.

On-site, guests can work out in the gym, cool down in the library or play a game of pool in the Loft Lounge. The Little Islanders at Voavah can also enjoy their own private spaces, with one kids’ room in the Water Villa, one kids’ room in the Beach Villa, and one Bunk Room with four beds on the upper level of the Beach House. Should guests crave a more social scene, the extended facilities at nearby Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru are just a 20-minute boat ride away.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”19890″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Guests at Voavah can dine in any of the Villas’ lounges, outdoor decks or on the beach, indulging in casual poolside barbecues as well as candlelit soirees. Alternatively, the kitchen team can rustle up themed dinners from a repertoire that extends from Chinese, Japanese, Sri Lankan, Indian, Maldivian, Italian, Lebanese, Moroccan or any cuisine you crave.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Echoing its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve location and ethos, harmony ranks high in Voavah’s vision. Nothing about Voavah is one-dimensional. It is mindful luxury conceived to expand horizons.

The island is accessible via a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport, or a 20-minute speedboat ride from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah is the fourth addition to the company’s Maldives collection, including Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, and Four Seasons Explorer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]