JA Manafaru Maldives

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

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

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

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