HomeIsland staysNorth Malé AtollH78 Iru
H78 Iru
H78 Iru is a three-star guesthouse on an inhabited local island in North Malé Atoll, with a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi and a snack bar or café, but no beach, house reef or overwater villa confirmed in the listing. The main trade-off is a low-key, village-based stay with short transfers, offset by the absence of alcohol and the need to cover up away from designated bikini beaches.
- Local island
- North Malé Atoll
- 3-star
- Speedboat
Decide
Who H78 Iru suits
- Stay typeLocal island
- AtollNorth Malé Atoll
- IslandNot named in the record
- Star class3 stars
- Guest scoreNo score yet
- TransferSpeedboat or public ferry
- From Velanaabout 2.3 km
- Live sampleBookable on 4 of 5 sampled stays
- Relative price bandValue
Suits
- Travellers wanting a short speedboat or ferry transfer from Velana International Airport, with the island about 2.3 km from the airport in a straight line.
- Guests who prefer a local-island base with a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi and a snack bar or café on site.
- Divers and anglers, since diving and fishing are listed among the facilities.
- Families, as family rooms are listed and the guesthouse is not adults-only.
May not suit
- Travellers expecting alcohol on tap: alcohol is not served on inhabited islands.
- Guests who want a private beach, beachfront or house reef: the listing does not confirm any of these.
- Holidaymakers who prefer resort-style dining: no restaurant is listed, though room service is available.
- Visitors who want to wear swimwear around the village: swimwear is for the designated bikini beach only.
Live availability
Seen bookable on 4 of 5 sampled dates
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 2 nights: returned
- Mon, 28 Dec 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 25 Jan 2027, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 22 Feb 2027, 1 night: not returned
H78 Iru came back from the booking search on 4 of the 5 sampled stays searched near it, for check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026 and 25 January 2027; on the others it was not returned, which usually means no room was on sale for those nights. Against the other stays the sample returned, its lowest rates sit in the value band; the site shows no figures, so the booking page gives the rate for your dates.
In the sweep the search returned this stay 15 times across the searches near it. Rates are not shown on this site; the booking card opens them for your dates.
Getting there
Getting to H78 Iru
- Usual transferSpeedboat or public ferry
- From Velana airportabout 2.3 km, straight line
- Nearest domestic airportMaamigili, about 114 km
The usual transfer is by speedboat or public ferry. The island is about 2.3 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line, making this the shortest transfer region in the country. In North Malé Atoll, boats can run in daylight or after dark, so a late international arrival is not a problem, unlike seaplane transfers. The guesthouse is the best source for the current schedule and meeting point.
The nearest domestic airport named is Maamigili, 114 km away, but it is not the practical arrival point for this island. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, though they are not the usual transfer here. Public ferries link some islands within the atoll on set days, but timetables change and are slower than a speedboat. Malé and Hulhumalé sit at the southern edge of the atoll, and a bridge links Malé with the airport island.
More on transfers: getting from Velana to your island.
The island
an inhabited local island
H78 Iru is a guesthouse on an inhabited local island in North Malé Atoll, not a resort. The island is not named in the listing, but it has 25 guesthouses listed and sits about 2.3 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line. Because it is an inhabited island, alcohol is not served, swimwear is for the designated bikini beach, and shoulders and knees are covered in the village. The guesthouse has a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi and a snack bar or café, but no restaurant is listed.
The nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses are Hulhumalé at 1.7 km, Himmafushi at 12 km, Huraa at 15 km and Thulusdhoo at 22 km, all straight-line distances. Six resorts lie within 10 km. In North Malé Atoll, inhabited islands have villages, mosques, schools and harbours, and life follows the island day; Friday midday prayers close many businesses, and during Ramadan eating and drinking in public in daylight is avoided. Importing alcohol and pork is not allowed. Guesthouses explain these rules on arrival.
Nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses, measured from coordinates: Hulhumale about 1.7 km (7 guesthouses listed); Himmafushi about 12 km (22 guesthouses listed); Huraa about 15 km (19 guesthouses listed); Thulusdhoo about 22 km (54 guesthouses listed); Gulhi about 24 km (24 guesthouses listed). Resort islands within 10 km: 6.
House rules by island type: alcohol, local-island etiquette, resort or local island.
Beach and lagoon
Beach and lagoon at H78 Iru
- Private beach listedno
- Beachfront listedno
- Beach access listedno
- Water sports listedno
- Diving listedyes
- Reviews mentioning the beach0
- Reviews mentioning a house reef0
- Reviews mentioning overwater villas0
The listing records a beach nearby but does not confirm a private beach, beachfront access or a house reef, and no guest reviews mention the beach, lagoon, snorkelling or a house reef. Water sports are not listed, though diving and fishing are. The guesthouse has no pool. For beach and lagoon time, the record points to Hulhumalé beach and the Malé ferry, about 0.5 km away in a straight line, where local dress norms apply.
Atoll levelIn North Malé Atoll, resort islands each hold one property and many have house reefs and dive centres, while inhabited islands such as Thulusdhoo, Huraa, Himmafushi and Dhiffushi have guesthouses and designated bikini beaches. Across the atoll, swimwear is for the designated bikini beach and shoulders and knees are covered in the village. The atoll has several named reef breaks, and the surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August.
Sea and reef
The sea and reef around H78 Iru
- Hulhumalé beach and the Malé ferry · about 0.5 kmHulhumalé has a public beach where local dress norms apply, a short taxi ride from the airport, with regular ferry crossings to Malé.
- The Maldive Victory wreck · about 3.3 kmA cargo ship that sank near the airport island in 1981; deep and current-prone, for experienced divers.
- Banana Reef · about 3.5 kmOne of the best-known dive sites of North Malé Atoll, dived in both monsoons.
- Lankan Manta Point · about 7.0 kmA manta cleaning station in North Malé Atoll, reached by boat from nearby islands.
- The North Malé reef breaks (Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi) · about 17 kmThe surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August.
The nearest named sites are the Maldive Victory wreck, about 3.3 km away in a straight line, a cargo ship that sank near the airport island in 1981, deep and current-prone and suitable for experienced divers; Banana Reef, about 3.5 km away, one of the best-known dive sites of North Malé Atoll and dived in both monsoons; and Lankan Manta Point, about 7.0 km away, a manta cleaning station reached by boat from nearby islands and visited by divers and snorkellers. Recreational diving is capped at 30 metres.
The North Malé reef breaks near Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi lie about 17 km away in a straight line, and the surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August. In North Malé Atoll, during the northeast monsoon mantas move to cleaning stations, often on the western sides of atolls, while in the southwest monsoon plankton and currents can draw larger animals into channels on the eastern side. Diving and fishing are listed at the guesthouse; snorkelling is not.
Seasons
Seasons in North Malé Atoll
In North Malé Atoll, Iruvai, the northeast monsoon, runs roughly from December to April and is the drier, calmer half of the year. Hulhangu, the southwest monsoon, runs roughly from May to November, with more wind, passing showers and choppier crossings. Air and sea stay warm all year. For divers and snorkellers, calmer seas in the northeast monsoon generally mean easier crossings, while the southwest monsoon can bring more plankton and current.
The surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August, which affects the North Malé reef breaks about 17 km away. During the northeast monsoon mantas move to cleaning stations, often on the western sides of atolls; in the southwest monsoon plankton and currents can draw larger animals into channels on the eastern side. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, though this property is reached by speedboat or public ferry.
Month by month: the weather guide and the two monsoons.
Day trips
Day trips and island hopping from here
Island hopping is straightforward from this base. Hulhumalé is 1.7 km away in a straight line, Himmafushi is 12 km, Huraa 15 km and Thulusdhoo 22 km, all inhabited islands with guesthouses. In North Malé Atoll, guesthouses arrange excursions, and some arrange day visits to a nearby resort island depending on the resort's day-visit policy. Six resorts lie within 10 km.
Common excursion types include house-reef snorkelling, a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk, visiting a local island, kayak and paddleboard a lagoon, sunset handline fishing and learning to freedive. The Maldive Victory wreck, Banana Reef and Lankan Manta Point are all within about 7 km in a straight line and reached by boat. Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi sit beside well-known surf breaks, and the surf season runs roughly March to October.
Trips like these on this site: house-reef snorkelling, a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk, visiting a local island, kayak and paddleboard a lagoon, sunset handline fishing, learning to freedive, resort day visits.
Guest reviews
What guests say about the sea and beach
No review text in this record discusses the beach, the reef, the water or the transfer.
Practical
Practical island life
Free Wi-Fi is listed for this property, and a snack bar or café is on site; no restaurant is listed, but room service is available. Other listed facilities include a 24-hour front desk, ATM, air conditioning, laundry service, luggage storage, a safe and a terrace. In North Malé Atoll, mobile data is often more reliable than guesthouse Wi-Fi on local islands, and prepaid SIM cards are sold at Velana International Airport and in Malé and Hulhumalé.
Across the atoll, inhabited islands have cafes and shops, while on a resort island the resort runs every restaurant and bar. Mobile coverage is good on inhabited islands and patchy at sea. On local islands, Friday midday prayers close many businesses, and during Ramadan eating and drinking in public in daylight is avoided. Importing alcohol and pork is not allowed. Guesthouses explain these rules on arrival.
Compare
Against the 3 nearest similar stays
| Stay | Class | Guest score | Transfer | Distance | Live sample | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H78 Iru (this stay) | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 2.3 km | — | 4/5 | Check dates |
| Pine Lodge Maldives | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 2.3 km | 0.0 km away | 5/5 | Check dates |
| Rara Hm | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 2.3 km | 0.1 km away | 2/5 | Check dates |
| Terminal 27 | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 2.3 km | 0.1 km away | 4/5 | Check dates |
Facilities listed
- 24-hour front desk
- ATM
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Snack bar / café
- Beach nearby
- Bidet
- Buffet
- Coffee
- Diving
- Express check in
- Family rooms
- First aid
- Fishing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hairdryer
- Housekeeping
- Internet access
- Iron and board
- Laundry Service
- Lifts
- Luggage storage
- Minibar
- Non smoking rooms
- Room Service
- Safe
- Shuttle service
- Slippers
- Smoking area
- Sofa bed
- TV
- Terrace
- Toiletries
- Wake-up service
- Wheelchair accessible
Questions about H78 Iru
What is the transfer to H78 Iru?
The usual transfer is by speedboat or public ferry from Velana International Airport, about 2.3 km away in a straight line. Boats can run in daylight or after dark. The guesthouse is the best source for the current schedule and meeting point.
What are the alcohol, dress and swimwear rules here?
This is an inhabited local island, so alcohol is not served. Swimwear is for the designated bikini beach only, and shoulders and knees are covered in the village. Importing alcohol and pork is not allowed. Friday midday prayers close many businesses.
Is there a beach and house reef at the guesthouse?
The listing records a beach nearby but does not confirm a private beach, beachfront access or a house reef, and no guest reviews mention them. Diving and fishing are listed; snorkelling is not. Hulhumalé beach is about 0.5 km away in a straight line.
What does the listing show about meals at H78 Iru?
The facility list for H78 Iru names a bar and room service. Which meal plans are on sale, from room only to half board where offered, depends on your dates and shows on the booking page.
When is the best season for this atoll?
Iruvai, the northeast monsoon, runs roughly from December to April and is drier and calmer. Hulhangu, the southwest monsoon, runs roughly from May to November with more wind and choppier crossings. Air and sea stay warm all year.
Is H78 Iru better for families or couples?
Family rooms are listed and the guesthouse is not adults-only, so families are accommodated. Couples may find the local-island setting quiet and the lack of alcohol a consideration. No guest score or reviews are available to judge the atmosphere.
What nearby sea or island experience is within reach?
Banana Reef is about 3.5 km away in a straight line and is dived in both monsoons. The Maldive Victory wreck is about 3.3 km away for experienced divers, and Lankan Manta Point about 7.0 km. Hulhumalé beach and the Malé ferry are about 0.5 km away.
Was H78 Iru bookable in the live sample?
H78 Iru came back on 4 of the 5 sampled stays searched near it (check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026 and 25 January 2027). On the other dates it was not returned, usually because nothing was on sale. Your own dates are checked live on the booking page.
How this page was made: bookability comes from a live sweep of the IMPT booking search on 5 sample stays; facilities, photos and reviews from the IMPT hotel database; distances from coordinates; sea, season and island context from this site's own pages. The written sections were drafted by an AI model from this record only and checked against it.
All stays in North Malé Atoll · All island stays · North Malé Atoll guide · This stay in the hotels section