First Look: Jawakara Islands Maldives

Meander through the Maldives archipelago to Jawakara Islands Maldives, added this month to the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio. The contemporary resort in the Lhaviyani Atoll is a tropical retreat where couples, families, and multigenerational groups can discover myriad five-star options for island time among the coral lagoons. New York’s Yuji Yamazaki Architecture designed this tropical boutique retreat, its third Crown & Champa project following sister resorts Kudadoo Maldives Private Island and Kagi Maldives Resort and Spa.

Accessible by speedboat from Madivaru Airport or via seaplane from Male International Airport in less than an hour, Jawakara occupies two islands connected by a 700-metre bridge across the Jawakara Reef. One, Dheru, has 88 villas, and the other, Mabin, has 202. Choose from a beach pool villa, surrounded by pristine white sand and palm trees, or a water villa on stilts that raise it above the turquoise sea. The spacious and spare interiors have a palette of white, cream, and blue, with natural wood, rattan, and stone textures. Villas feature king beds, three-seater sofas, a deck area with chaise longues, espresso machine, wine fridge, and a bathroom both indoors and outdoors, the latter for bathing in the sunshine or under the star-filled night sky.

There are five dining options and four bars. Three restaurants (Vela, Aila, and Saima) serve international cuisine, Umi 海 on Dehru focuses on Asian-Pacific flavours, and Molo on Mabin features Mediterranean dishes. The four bars provide specialty coffees, fresh juices, and handcrafted cocktails. The Blue Zone Bar on Dheru, overlooking the ocean, is perfect for sunset celebrations.

Guests can enjoy activities on the water—snorkelling, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, or surfing, or on land, where there is a nine-hole golf course and courts for tennis, badminton, and volleyball courts. There are two infinity pools, bicycles for exploring the islands, and a yoga retreat. The two Suhla Spas provide holistic therapies using organic ingredients and including ayurvedic massage, acupuncture, and herbal medicines. Upgrading to a premium all-inclusive package adds unlimited beverages, free access to the fitness centre, group lessons for snorkelling, golf, or windsurfing, a sunset cruise, and complimentary spa treatments.