JA Manafaru Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Star rating

The hotel

Fancy a trip to paradise? JA Manafaru, set in the Haa Alif Atoll on a private island, more than delivers. Offering luxurious beach and over-water villas, all with private outdoor pools and dedicated villa host, it’s nothing less than heavenly. Days can be as active or as lazy as you like — soaking up the sun by one of the two delightful swimming pools or visiting the Calm Spa, a hidden oasis of pure relaxation. Choose between Shirodhara or Ayurvedic treatments or experience a traditional Maldivian massage or healing ritual – bliss! A haven for couples, it’s also perfect for families too. There are water sports galore to get stuck into, including diving in the depths of the house reef if you’re a novice, or heading out to more challenging sites further afield. The kids also have their own Cool Zone — a place to play to their heart’s content! When it comes to dining, you’ve several options to choose from, including the award-winning White Orchid for special occasions, the Ocean Grill which is situated right by the water’s edge, or The Cellar which is located two and a half metres below sea level and offers an extensive selection of fine wines from all over the world. For stunning sunsets, head to the Horizon Lounge, grab a cocktail, sit back and enjoy!

Amenities

  • Sailing
  • Scuba Diving
  • Tennis
  • Water Skiing
  • Windsurfing
  • Kids Club
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Spa

Where is it

On a 35-acre tropical island situation on the northern tip of the stunning Haa Alif Atoll in the Maldives. On arrival, you will be met and escorted to a reserved area where you can enjoy complimentary refreshments, whilst waiting for your flight. Transfer from Malé International Airport: 50 minute domestic charter flight, followed by a 10 minute speedboat transfer.

Hotel information

84 bungalows, villas and suites. All with air-conditioning, private wooden deck with outdoor seating, flat-screen TV, telephone, complimentary WiFi Internet access, complimentary daily fruit and water, mini fridge, coffee maker, tea-making facilities, safe, hairdryer, iron and board, bathrobes and slippers. Beach Bungalows with plunge pool, open-air bathroom, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.

Half Board (Dine Around): includes breakfast and lunch or dinner in operational outlets. Three 3-course menu for dinner or two-course lunch including water (JA Branded Water). Three courses are defined as one starter, one main course, and one dessert per guest.

Full Board (Dine Around): includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in operational outlets. Two 2-course lunch and three 3-course dinner, including water (JA Branded Water). Three courses are defined as one starter, one main course, and one dessert per paying guest.

All Inclusive (Dine Around): includes daily breakfast, 2-course lunch and 3-course dinner in designated operational outlets (3-courses are defined as one starter, one main course and one dessert per paying guest). A wide selection of beverages including wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, soft drinks, bottled juices and JA-branded drinking water available in operational venues during operational hours. The mini-bar will be replenished once per day. Some surcharges may apply for premium item or premium events. Beverage are available during operating hours of restaurants and bars.

Room upgrades

Sunrise Water Villas allow views of the colourful dawn breaking and views of the marine life through the glass floor panel, with private infinity pool, partially open-air bathroom and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Sunset Water Villas with private pool and views to the west and the sun setting into the sea, with glass floor panel, private infinity pool, partially open-air bathroom and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

One Bedroom Beach Suites with private infinity pool, large living room with DVD player, and separate en-suite bedroom, open-air bathroom, private sundeck and beach cabana with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Two Bedroom Grand Water Suite with private infinity pool, master en-suite bedroom with 1 king-size bed, and additional twin bedroom, sleeping maximum 5 adults.

Two Bedroom Royal Island Suites are on two storeys, with private pool, sauna, steam room and spa pavilion and treatment area, dining and living area, master en-suite bedroom with one king-size bed, and additional twin bedroom, sleeping maximum 6 adults or 4 adults and 2 children.

7 restaurants and bars: Kakuni (global cuisines, all-day dining), White Orchid & Teppanyaki (Asian fusion cuisine), Ocean Grill (meat and seafood, open for dinner), Andiamo Bistro (pizzas, pasta and salads by the main pool, open for lunch and dinner), Infinity Pool Bar (drinks and light snacks by the infinity pool), Veli Bar. The Cellar* (haute cuisine and award-winning 'wine cave', open for dinner). Dining by Design*. Complimentary ice-cream at Andiamo.

Live music and weekly karaoke at Veli Bar. Cinema under the stars*.

2 island pools. Calm Spa* with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. Fitness Pavilion including fitness centre, stretching studio and yoga terrace. Complimentary non-motorised water sports (one hour, per day, per villa: Kayaks, stand up paddle boards and pedal boats). Water sports centre*. House reef snorkelling. Yoga pavilion. Tennis and badminton court. Coolzone kids club (for ages 3 years+). Hub for teenagers full of games and entertainment. Excursions* and experiences* (including snorkelling, local island excursions and castaway adventures). Designated villa bicycles (per person, per villa).

Complimentary WiFi. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. 24-hour room service*. Babysitting service*.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 12.

Rating summary

  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2757)
  • Very good (122)
  • Average (27)
  • Poor (8)
  • Terrible (6)
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Jul 25, 2025 Anastasia P

We just came back from our second family vacation at JA Manafaru – and it was just as magical as the first time. This island truly feels like our tropical home away from home, and we’re already dreaming of returning again! As a family, we absolutely love the Sunrise Water Villas – especially 112, 116, and 119. These villas are incredibly… Read more
We just came back from our second family vacation at JA Manafaru – and it was just as magical as the first time. This island truly feels like our tropical home away from home, and we’re already dreaming of returning again! As a family, we absolutely love the Sunrise Water Villas – especially 112, 116, and 119. These villas are incredibly well-designed, private, and offer the perfect blend of sunrise views, direct ocean access, and peaceful luxury. Every detail is so thoughtfully planned — it’s hard to beat waking up to the sound of the ocean and jumping right into the water from your deck! A huge part of what keeps us coming back is the incredible team. Special thanks and warmest greetings to Nizam, Katchey, and of course Chef Moosa – you always go above and beyond and make us feel genuinely welcome. The food (Daavani is just fantastic!) and the hospitality were once again unforgettable. Pleeeeease build water slide for kids at Andiamo pool! It’s a must!!!!! Thank you, JA Manafaru, for another perfect stay. We can’t wait to return for year three! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Second time, excellent!

Jul 21, 2025 Dathar Chicago, Illinois

Amazing service. It’s our second time and just reminded me once more why I came back! Thank you to the entire team! F&B team, Mangal, housekeeping… I wish I can take everyone’s name but I would hate to leave anyone out!!! Everyone we interacted with was amazing. Checkin was breeze in the room!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Unforgettable stay

Jul 19, 2025 AnsGerh Frankfurt, Germany

We just returned from an absolutely incredible week at JA Manafaru, and honestly, we’re already dreaming about going back. From the moment we arrived via a seamless seaplane transfer from Malé, we felt warmly welcomed. The island is pure paradise. It’s lush, serene, and surrounded by crystal-clear water teeming with marine life – we even spotted… Read more
We just returned from an absolutely incredible week at JA Manafaru, and honestly, we’re already dreaming about going back. From the moment we arrived via a seamless seaplane transfer from Malé, we felt warmly welcomed. The island is pure paradise. It’s lush, serene, and surrounded by crystal-clear water teeming with marine life – we even spotted nurse sharks (harmless) from the jetty! The staff greeted us with smiles (and cool drinks after our flight), so we felt at home from the very beginning. We split our stay between a private beach villa and an overwater villa, and both were fantastic in their own ways. The beach villa gave us our own little sanctuary with direct access to the sand and a private pool – perfect for early morning swims and lazy afternoons. Later in the week, moving to an overwater bungalow was like a dream; imagine waking up to the sound of gentle waves below and then climbing down your own ladder into the ocean for a swim. We could even see fish through the glass floor! Both villas were beautifully furnished, spacious, and impeccably clean (housekeeping did a great job keeping everything pristine twice a day). We really appreciated that we got to experience both types of rooms during our stay. The food was another highlight of our trip. Every meal was a delight – fresh, full of flavor, and presented so beautifully that we often took photos of the dishes. The culinary team easily accommodated our dietary preferences (my partner doesn’t eat dairy nor gluten, and they had plenty of delicious options for her), so dining was completely stress-free. We especially loved the Maldivian breakfast items and the Asian barbecue night. Special thanks to Chef Arjun for his delicious pancakes for breakfast; he came out to chat with us a couple of times, and you could tell he’s passionate about his craft. We looked forward to every meal, not something you can say at every resort! Above all, the service at JA Manafaru is what makes it truly exceptional. Our villa host, Ann, was absolutely wonderful – she anticipated our needs before we even asked. Whether it was arranging activites, bringing floating breakfast, a bottle of champagne or organizing a great table on the beach and a cake for my partner's birthday, Ann handled everything with genuine warmth. Thanks to her, we relaxed completely and didn’t worry about a thing. We also want to give a shoutout to Suhadh and Ciyad, two of the waiters who took care of us frequently at mealtimes. Suhadh was so energetic and always greeted us with a big smile (we’ll miss his positive vibes!), and Ciyad was incredibly kind and attentive, remembering our favorite drinks by day two. They, along with the rest of the team, made us feel truly cared for throughout our stay. We didn’t spend all our time lounging (even though the villas were tempting!). The house reef right off the beach is amazing for snorkeling — on the guided snorkel safari, we saw vibrant corals, countless colorful fish, and even a stingray gliding by. Diving was another unforgettable adventure; the dive center’s professional instructor Jake guided us. For a more relaxed time, we indulged in a massage at the spa, which was pure bliss. We also used the gym multiple times – it’s modern and well-equipped, and working out while overlooking the blue sea made the treadmill actually enjoyable. Sadly, departure day came all too soon. The resort handled our checkout and seaplane transfer smoothly, letting us squeeze in a final beachfront breakfast before we left. The goodbye was heartfelt and efficient. Overall, JA Manafaru delivers true barefoot luxury. It’s the kind of place where the natural beauty blows you away daily, and the service feels genuinely caring. We left completely rejuvenated. A huge thank you again to Ann, Suhadh, Ciyad, Arjun, and the entire team for making our stay so special. We would go back in a heartbeat – already daydreaming about our next trip! Read less
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Jul 17, 2025 Анастасия З

We arrived at JA Manafaru at the end of May for 4 nights and 5 days to celebrate our honeymoon — and I was also 7 months pregnant at the time. This was our first visit to the Maldives, and we can say with certainty: we will absolutely be coming back here again. The island is lush and breathtakingly beautiful — the perfect tropical paradise where… Read more
We arrived at JA Manafaru at the end of May for 4 nights and 5 days to celebrate our honeymoon — and I was also 7 months pregnant at the time. This was our first visit to the Maldives, and we can say with certainty: we will absolutely be coming back here again. The island is lush and breathtakingly beautiful — the perfect tropical paradise where everything is designed to help you truly relax. The staff are incredibly warm, welcoming, and attentive to every detail. Omran, Hassan - guys thanks a looot for your attitude and attention 🫶🏽 We were assigned a personal host, Mohammed, who made sure we felt 100% comfortable during our entire stay. He solved any request instantly, was always available, and had our restaurant reservations arranged in advance. Thanks to him, we didn’t have to think or worry about anything. We’re truly grateful for his care and professionalism — he left us deeply impressed. The restaurants offered incredibly delicious cuisine and the service was outstanding! They even climbed a palm tree to get me a fresh coconut — just because I was pregnant — even though it was out of season. 😊 We also enjoyed the spa — it felt like stepping into a tropical dream, very reminiscent of Bali. Even though the weather was often cloudy, it was still perfect for us. The island is very clean, no bugs or mosquitoes — only a few tiny geckos 🦎 We were blown away by the villas. Our beach villa with direct access to the ocean was my personal favorite. We also spent two nights in an overwater villa — a true must-have Maldivian experience! Everything was beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully designed. I woke up at 5am every day just to soak in the peaceful beauty. I also enjoyed morning yoga and the gym — this was a vacation that was genuinely worth every penny. A special thank you as well to Ramil, the manager who helped us with the booking process. He kindly arranged an upgrade and lovely surprises for our honeymoon — we were so touched. Before we left, we made a point to visit the reception and thank him in person for making our stay unforgettable. JA Manafaru — you have our hearts! We will definitely be back, next time as a family of three 💖 and hundred percent be recommending for all 🫶🏽 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Title: Exceptional Service & Tropical Paradise 🌴

Jul 15, 2025 Vasuki P

We had an unforgettable stay at JA Manafaru Maldives—what truly made it special were the fantastic staff. Every single team member went above and beyond to look after us. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and genuinely cared for. We had pre-ordered some special Sri Lankan and Indian meals, and the chefs delivered above… Read more
We had an unforgettable stay at JA Manafaru Maldives—what truly made it special were the fantastic staff. Every single team member went above and beyond to look after us. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and genuinely cared for. We had pre-ordered some special Sri Lankan and Indian meals, and the chefs delivered above expectations—authentic, flavourful, and made with such attention to detail. It meant so much to us, and it’s rare to find such personalized service. A special thanks to Mangal, Leo, Xyiyadh, Ismaili, Imran, and Suhaadth, Udesh and Rishah, who tirelessly served us with smiles, always happy and ready to take our next order. Their positive energy and attention to detail made our experience even more memorable. We also want to express our gratitude to the amazing Moosa Naijia (Maldivian Chef), who crafted incredible dishes throughout our stay, and Ushan (Sri Lankan Chef), who made the most delicious Sri Lankan food, surpassing what we've tasted in Sri Lanka itself! And of course, a huge thank you to Jesip (Indian Chef), who went out of his way to prepare Dosa and Puri just as we requested—such a delightful treat! The resort itself is stunning: lush greenery and tall trees create a beautiful natural canopy inside the island, offering plenty of shade and a tranquil atmosphere. Outside, the views of the sea are absolutely breathtaking—crystal-clear waters and white sand everywhere. At night, we had the incredible experience of seeing baby sharks and jackfish swimming near the shore—a magical moment that added to the wonder of the island. When we left the resort, it truly felt like we were leaving family behind. The warmth, care, and attention we received made it so much more than just a vacation—it was an experience we’ll cherish forever. If you’re looking for luxury with heart and soul, this is the place. We’re already dreaming of returning! Read less