AwardedForbes
Travel GuideFive-Star · 2026

AwardedMICHELIN
GuideOne Key · 2026

Overview

JOALI Maldives

Raa AtollAtoll

Top tier in the Maldives

2018Opened

Art-led luxuryStyle

Below: the three things guests ask about most — food, photos and snorkelling.

How is the food

Four restaurants and a bar;
the overwater Japanese is dinner only.

Breakfast is at Vandhoo, buffet or à la carte; at night it serves Chinese, Indian and South-East Asian. Saoke, over the water, does sushi, robata and teppanyaki.

Italian Bellinis and beachside Levantine TUH’U open on selected nights only.

Dining

Plus Mura Bar, the sunset pool bar

SaokeOverwater Japanese

BellinisItalian

TUH’ULevantine · on the beach

Mura BarPool bar · light bites

Half-board dinner is three courses at Vandhoo or TUH’U, drinks excluded. At Bellinis each adult gets a USD 130 daily food credit.

Saoke, in-villa dining and destination dining are outside half board and charged at menu price.

MayMay’s takeThe food is refined but leans Western. If you prefer Asian flavours every day, a long stay may feel limited; bring a few snacks.

Is it photogenic

Shoot the Manta Tree House and the jetty;
art installations are everywhere.

TopWater villa jetties from aboveLeftThe manta-shaped tree houseBottomArrival jetty at sunset

JOALI calls itself an immersive art resort. Installations and furniture by several artists are spread across the island; follow the art map.

You can book a meal inside the manta-shaped Manta Tree House, at extra charge.

Follow the art map.

The resort’s art map marks where each artist’s installation and furniture sits on the island.

MayMay’s takeThe most design-driven of the top-tier islands. The sandbank, the tree house and the gallery are all worth shooting.

How is the snorkelling

Three entry points;
the east side is best but often has current.

North shore, off villas 11–17: easy entry.

East side, either side of the spa: best, often with current.

South side, off the marine centre: lots of fish.

Guided snorkelling with the resident marine biologist can be booked, at a charge.

Ask the water sports centre about the day’s current before you go in.

MayMay’s takeFew snorkelling spots, but plenty of fish.

Before you book flights

About 40 minutes by seaplane;
land in Malé before 15:00.

Route is indicative. Times exclude waiting and connections; aircraft and boat images are for reference only.

Seaplaneabout 40 min

Arriving

International flight lands in Malébefore 15:00

Seaplane, about 40 min

Same dayArrive

Leaving

Same dayDepart

Seaplane, about 40 min

ArriveMalé

If your flight lands after 15:00, or leaves too early, you will need a night in Malé. For a twin stay with JOALI BEING, the speedboat between the islands is charged separately.

The latest seaplane check-in time shifts between seasons; confirm the current schedule before you travel.

MayMay’s takeWith some luck you may get the resort’s private seaplane on arrival or departure.

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Is this island right for you?

Send us your dates and group size, and ask about current availability at JOALI Maldives.

Chat on WhatsApp

Four restaurants and a bar;the overwater Japanese is dinner only.

Shoot the Manta Tree House and the jetty;art installations are everywhere.

Three entry points;the east side is best but often has current.

About 40 minutes by seaplane;land in Malé before 15:00.

Is this island right for you?

Four restaurants and a bar;
the overwater Japanese is dinner only.

Shoot the Manta Tree House and the jetty;
art installations are everywhere.

Three entry points;
the east side is best but often has current.

About 40 minutes by seaplane;
land in Malé before 15:00.