JA Manafaru, a Forbes Recommended resort located in Haa Alif, the Maldives' northernmost atoll, offers guests a private island experience that combines natural beauty with Maldivian culture and tradition. The resort covers around 35 acres and features 84 villas and residences, six restaurants and bars, and its own house reef.
Getting to the Resort
Reaching JA Manafaru involves a journey from Manchester Airport to Velana International Airport in Male, the capital, followed by a roughly 70-minute seaplane flight to the atoll, which is around 200 miles from the capital. Passengers can use a lounge at the seaplane terminal while waiting to board.
The seaplanes hold around a dozen people plus crew, who fly barefoot. Earplugs are offered to passengers due to the loud takeoff, but the flight provides views of the Maldives' many islands and the vast ocean between them.
Accommodation and Dining
The resort offers overwater villas with infinity pools, glass floor panels, and direct ocean access, as well as more than 30 beachside villas. A concierge service is provided via a personal thakuru, and each villa includes two bikes for getting around. For larger groups, the resort has a three-bedroom suite spanning 2,000sqm, which accommodates six adults and three children, and includes two private pools, a secret garden, a personal bar, and a spa with sauna and steam room.
Dining options include Ocean Grill, Andiamo, White Orchid, and Kakuni, the main restaurant. Executive chef Moosa Nazeeh's passion for Maldivian cuisine is evident across the venues, with fresh tuna and coconut playing key roles. The resort also offers private dining experiences, including Kuri, a treetop dining experience with a five-course tasting menu, and the Cellar, an underground wine cave carved into volcanic rock.
Activities and Wellness
Guests can explore the surrounding marine life with expert guides on snorkelling trips, where sea turtles, rays, and spinner dolphins are commonly spotted. The resort also offers night snorkelling around the main jetty. On land, the Calm Spa Sanctuary provides a range of treatments, from hot stone massages and aromatherapy to epigenetic testing and ayurvedic treatments.
For families, the resort has a Kids Club with a splash pool and playground, a recreation centre with arcade games and pool tables, and a cinema room. Complimentary activities include kayaking, pedal boats, and snorkelling gear for the duration of the stay.
The resort provides a balance of luxury and serenity, with staff attentive without being overbearing. The stay, which took place in September, offered some of the best weather the Maldives has to offer during the off-peak months, according to the guides. Prices for the sunrise overwater villa start from 500USD per night in the low season and 800USD per night during the high season.
