This Maldives Resort Eliminates Busy Tee Times with Breathtaking Night Golf

A unique sensory experience now offered at the exclusive Velaa Private Island may actually improve your game.
night golf
The rare instance where not bringing golf shoes is recommended. Velaa Private Island

When the sun goes down, the fun is just getting started for golf enthusiasts at Velaa Private Island in the Maldives. The Velaa Golf Academy already features a unique experience by day on its nine-hole course, thanks to designer and pro legend José María Olazábal. Now, guests can try Night Golf, an exciting visual and sensory experience.

In this game, the holes, flags, and golf balls all light up and guests can choose from partial or full night golf experiences. A partial game offers some lighting, while full means all the course lights are off. So, it’s just you and your lit golf ball, which could be mistaken for a shooting star by onlookers.

Night golf can be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced players, but guests who are more skilled at the sport may find themselves getting even better after this experience. Those who have played the course at night say it forces you to play like a pro, one who puts emphasis on feel, sense, and perception.

If golf isn’t your sport of choice, Velaa Private Island has a wide array of other activities you can enjoy during your visit to this exclusive island. Escape the heat of the day at its completely covered tennis court, take your visit to new heights on the resort’s climbing wall, or play in the sand with some beach volleyball. Yogis can receive private sessions on the elevated Yoga Pavilion that overlooks the golf academy, or they can choose to have their session in the garden or on the beach.

Speaking of the beach, Vella Private Island is home to some of the most hi-tech water sport toys you’ve ever seen. The resort features one of the Maldive’s only Tandem Jetovators, a futuristic-looking ride that mimics the feeling of being on a bike. It can fly up to 25 feet above the water, or dive underwater for adventure seekers looking to make a splash. The resort also offers flyboarding, hoverboarding, electric foil surfboards, and much more. Families looking for a more low-key experience can check out the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean from a glass bottom kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Of course, there’s the chance that you travel all the way to the Maldives and don’t want to play golf or race above the water in something that looks like it’s from The Jetsons, and that’s okay. Vella Private Island has an experience for everyone, whether it’s a couple looking for serenity and romance on their honeymoon, or a family trying to unplug and reconnect.

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