Andrea Shrosbery finds a quieter Bahrain at Hawar Resort by Mantis, where clear water, wildlife and thoughtful design turn a short sea crossing into a genuine escape.
A 25-minute boat ride is not usually enough to change your mood. The crossing to Hawar Island, however, does. The mainland slips behind, the water lightens to turquoise, and the horizon opens out. Hawar Resort by Mantis sits on a protected island close to Bahrain yet oddly remote, its calm broken mainly by seabirds and the occasional splash offshore.
As the island’s only resort, it feels naturally private. The architecture keeps to the landscape: low, clean-lined buildings in sand-and-sea tones, with shaded walkways and generous views. Much of the appeal is simple: space, silence and a shoreline that looks more Indian Ocean than Gulf.
We stayed in a beachfront villa with a plunge pool. Days began with a swim before breakfast and ended with a final look at the water as it turned slate-blue at dusk. Interiors are modern and uncluttered, with natural textures rather than showy finishes. It is luxury by restraint: comfort, privacy and an easy rhythm.
Dining follows the same approach: polished without being stiff. C-Salt is the resort’s more formal venue, built around seafood and premium cuts, with menus that borrow from Mediterranean and Peruvian flavours. Bahri is the all-day option, serving breakfast with Bahraini, regional and international choices. In the evening it shifts to a buffet-style dinner that leans into local dishes, with Indian and Lebanese influences; dinner is listed at BD25 per person.
The resort makes a convincing case for doing more than sunbathing. On the water, guests can join dolphin- and bird-watching trips; Hawar is known for its wildlife, and ospreys and falcons are commonly spotted. For something faster there is jet skiing, paddle-boarding, tubing and glass-bottom kayaking to nearby islets. On land, there are tennis and padel courts, camel and horse riding, and the Bear Grylls Adventure Zone obstacle course, which ends with a certificate and a commemorative T-shirt. A guided land-safari experience is expected to launch in the coming months.
Sustainability is not treated as a marketing afterthought. The island’s protected status shapes how the resort operates. Measures include safeguarding bird nests during development, encouraging careful water use, and reusing water for irrigation. Guests notice the difference in small ways: fewer signs of overbuilding, more respect for the shoreline, and an emphasis on nature-led activities.
Hawar Resort by Mantis is not trying to be everything at once. It works because it is specific: a near-to-home retreat with clear water, genuine wildlife encounters and enough comfort to make idleness feel earned.
At a glance
• Location: Hawar Island, Bahrain (boat transfer from the mainland)
• Best for: couples, families, short restorative breaks
• Highlights: beachfront villas, wildlife tours, water sports, padel and adventure course
