As the sun descended into the horizon, a Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island speedboat whisked us to a secluded sandbank that, at first sight, was deserted. Our arrival, however, revealed a solitary pergola draped in gauzy fabric and adorned with fresh flowers, moving in the breeze.
Under the pergola, we slipped into a treatment bed. A therapist’s gentle hands massaged in ginger and eucalyptus oil (said to be good for smoothing away stress and tension), beginning with our face and head. Soft piano chords of “The Sound of Silence” drifted from a speaker, harmonizing with the lapping of waves and the soft squawking of birds. It wasn’t long before we were lulled into a deep sense of tranquility. Once the full-body massage ended, we opened our eyes to reveal an endless night sky above.
The sandbank was illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns, and we headed to an elegant seating area steps from the shore. We were given a pink rose and sat down before a spread of salmon, chicken and caviar canapés, along with sweet confections like madeleines and macarons. Then a sommelier sabered a bottle of Taittinger so we could toast under the moonlight.
The Maldives hotel is one of the first in the region to offer this romantic sandbank rendezvous, perfect for couples whose proposal, anniversary or other special occasion calls for the ultimate setting. You can also add on a movie screening, picnic, dinner or live band to linger still more here.
This is just one way that Jumeirah Maldives, a relative newcomer that opened in 2021, has begun crafting memorable experiences. While the luxury hotel only has 67 beach and overwater villas, it has a deep well of offerings to make any occasion an event.
Water Offerings
From its vantage point in the North Malé Atoll, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, Jumeirah Maldives makes the most of its aquatic locale. Among its offerings is a powder-blue semi-submarine that plunges you three feet below the surface, but seemingly miles from the world above. Accommodating up to eight, the semi-sub is popular among families who want a window onto a panorama of sea life. You can also explore the aqua waters in clear-bottom kayaks, banana boats, jet skis, seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, catamarans and parasails. Or embark on snorkel and dive excursions to encounter the atoll’s manta rays, turtles and colorful fish up close.
Another way to experience — and help conserve — the aquatic surroundings is to attend a coral-planting workshop. On-staff marine biologist Andreia Tami Akaki spearheads sessions by underscoring reefs’ all-important role for local life, despite their precarious future. Although they make up about 1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs house more than 25% of all marine life, she said, and they help regulate the planet’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide.
However, 90% of coral reefs could disappear by 2050, according to marine conservation organization Coral Guardian. As rising sea temperatures, pollution and overfishing threaten these fragile undersea gardens, Jumeirah Maldives has launched a coral restoration project to support their natural recovery. The team has planted more than 400 healthy coral fragments. As part of the workshop, you can don a snorkel mask and watch them affix coral with cable ties to large iron frames underwater, or if you scuba, you can do so yourself. After you return home, the team regularly checks on what you’ve planted, photographing their progress for you.
Land Activities
If you missed out on the Moonlit Sandbank Massage, find some relaxation at Talise Spa. You’ll instantly feel transported in the five overwater treatment villas with their own bathroom, shower and standalone tub. Views of the water surround you, from the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the space to the clear glass embedded in the floor below the treatment bed (you can look for fish as you lie face down during a massage).
The most popular service is the Balinese massage, which incorporates long strokes and pressure points. But ask about any practitioners who might be visiting. During our stay, we met Yoko Kawaguchi, a holistic wellness healer from Japan who introduced us to auriculotherapy, a non-invasive outer ear pressure point treatment that she said can help with stress, insomnia, anxiety, pain, hormone imbalances and more. She added a massage into the soothing service.
Tap into your creativity at the new all-ages Muraca Art Studio. Set on sand, the open-air venue offers classes in watercolors, acrylics, and jewelry making. You can also mix up some colors and paint everything from T-shirts and totes to seashells and pebbles.
Your little ones can head off to the kids club to join eco scavenger hunts, pirate storytimes, yoga, island walks and cupcake decorating while you hit the floodlit tennis court overlooking the sand and surf (an onsite tennis pro can help you sharpen your game).
Unexpected Meals
In the Maldives, a floating breakfast is de rigueur in your private pool. If you don’t want to have shakshuka in your swimsuit every day but want something else out of the ordinary, opt for a lagoon breakfast. The hotel will set up a shaded area on the sand mere steps from the water.
There, you’ll sip on strawberry iced tea (or champagne, if you want to indulge) as you enjoy truffle scrambled eggs, arugula and chives tucked into a flaky croissant or elegantly plated coconut yogurt with granola, mango cubes and pomegranate. As you nosh on the meat and cheese from the heaping charcuterie platter or papaya and pineapple from the tropical fruit plate, keep your eyes on the crystalline waters — we spotted a bluefin jack and a reef shark from shore.
While you won’t be disappointed by the meals at restaurants such as Glow (poolside international cuisine), Shimmers (Greek/Mediterranean fare overlooking another pool) or Kayto (get the degustation menu with wine pairings at the Japanese-Peruvian spot — we savored the roasted langoustine with shiso sauce and the Maldivian tuna truffle ceviche), be sure to sign up for the mezze nights.
These special pop-up dinners have limited seating and are reservation only. The intimate mezze can be on the beach or in a three-bedroom penthouse patio with a sunset vista. We had the latter, where a band performed smooth songs and chefs grilled our feast next to us. Our table shared starters like pomegranate-studded baba ghanoush, hummus with butter-poached Alaskan king crab, grilled Hokkaido scallops and mercimek kofte (red lentil balls in crispy lettuce cups). A parade of grilled entrées followed — grass-fed lamb, chicken shista wook, marinated local reef fish and tiger prawns — that paired well with the Spice Route mourvèdre, a South African wine with a hint of spice and dark fruit notes.
Capping off the evening was a baklava ice cream with caramel and cinnamon-spiced nuts — a refreshing finale.
Villa Surprises
Despite the many diversions on the private island and beyond, you don’t have to venture out of your villa for some of the destination’s best experiences. Jumeirah Maldives eschews the thatched-roof Maldives aesthetic for a more contemporary yacht-like design. The two-story, bright-white villas pop against the aquamarine water. Each has its own infinity pool and sunken outdoor lounge, and you can easily spend the day there. But when the sun sets, you’ll have other options. Jumeirah is the only Maldives hotel to give each villa an expansive open rooftop. Your island host — essentially a butler — can make it a personal stage for a massage, private dinners or fun open-air movie nights under the stars.
And at the end of a long day, your island host can have a piping-hot bath waiting for you in the vast stone bathroom. The standalone tub looks like a work of art. On top of the steaming water and bubbles, flower petals and banana leaf cutouts depict serene nature scenes with rabbits and birds around a tree. It’s almost too beautiful to disrupt for a soak.
