Kudadoo Maldives Private Island’s sustainability efforts – the highlight of which are solar panels on the roof of The Retreat that power the private island in its entirety – also comprise of extensive ocean conservation endeavours.
In partnership with Prodivers Maldives, the Manta Trust and Olive Ridley Project, vast efforts are put into protecting the fragile marine environment the private island is a part of.
Under the auspices of the Marine Biology Centre located at Hurawalhi, Kudadoo’s sister property and neighbouring island, two resident marine biologists and Manta Trust researchers share their knowledge and answer all Kudadoo residents’ questions about the underwater world and explain more about current conservation projects.
As regional project managers for Manta Trust’s Maldivian Manta Ray Project, the marine biologists can take you on private manta ray search excursions and provide precious insights into the Maldives’ enormous manta ray population; in Lhaviyani atoll alone, 380 individual manta rays have been identified so far!
Currently there is also a coral restoration project running at Hurawalhi, which your butler can also arrange for you to visit if you wish to gain an even deeper understanding of the archipelago’s reefs and our efforts to conserve them.
Working closely together with a sea turtle protection and research programme, Olive Ridley Project, by staying at Kudadoo you also have a unique opportunity to swim with and to learn more about the Maldives’ sea turtle population.
Over 400 sea turtles have been identified in Lhaviyani atoll, and the majority of them can be found at the renowned hot spot, Kuredu, a short boat ride away from Kudadoo.
As with manta rays, you are encouraged to contribute to research by participating in citizen science, ie. contributing photographs in order for the turtle biologist to try to identify the individuals and help develop what is one of the world’s largest turtle photo ID databases, maintained in order to better understand and thereby help these endangered marine reptiles.
Olive Ridley Project and Prodivers teams have also been instrumental in removing ghost nets from the surrounding waters and saving many turtles and other marine life by doing so.
Named ‘The World’s Best New Luxury Hotel for 2018’ by Luxury Travel Intelligence, included on the Condé Nast Traveller 2019 Hot List as well as a finalist in the prestigious Hospitality Design Awards 2019, the recently opened Kudadoo is a luxurious private island in the Maldives’ Lhaviyani atoll, just 40-minutes away from Male by seaplane.
Comprising just 15 expansive, overwater Ocean Residences, Kudadoo is the first top-end five-star deluxe resort in the Maldives to be truly fully inclusive with its ‘Anything, Anytime, Anywhere’ concept; from unscripted dining experiences, on the beach or on your private terrace, to in, on and above the water adventures and incredible spa treatments. Ideal for exclusive hire, Kudadoo also offers additional accommodation for guests’ personal team.
There are 13 one-bedroom Ocean Residences and two Ocean Residences of two bedrooms each — all linked by a walkway. These totally private villas – some of the largest in the Maldives – offer ocean seclusion and includes super-king-sized beds, in-villa baths as well as indoor and outdoor showers, 44 sqm terrace pools and one of the largest sundecks in the Maldives. The interiors also include the first Bang & Olufsen audio systems and IPTV (including Netflix and Spotify).
The Retreat – a central complex based over the water alongside the intimate 30,000 sqm island – is home to the spa, restaurant (including wine cellar and cheese room), bar, games room and swimming pool. Its design includes perhaps the highest vantage point in the Maldives built on the sea and 300 kw of solar panels integrated into the stepped sloping roof, which can fully power the island – one of the first sustainable deluxe resorts of its kind in the Maldives.
Designed by renowned architect Yuji Yamasaki, Kudadoo is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture with gently sloping roofs, graceful curves and stunning vistas.