HomeIsland staysSouth Malé AtollIthaa Beach Maldives
Ithaa Beach Maldives
Ithaa Beach Maldives is a three-star guesthouse on an inhabited local island in South Malé Atoll, scoring 4.5 out of 5 from 97 reviews. The main trade-off is the local-island setting: no alcohol is served on the island and swimwear is limited to a designated bikini beach, but you get attentive staff, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi at a value-to-mid-range price band.
- Local island
- South Malé Atoll
- Ithaa
- 3-star
- 4.5 / 5
- Speedboat
Decide
Who Ithaa Beach Maldives suits
- Stay typeLocal island
- AtollSouth Malé Atoll
- IslandIthaa (named in the record)
- Star class3 stars
- Guest score4.5 / 5 (97 reviews)
- TransferSpeedboat or public ferry
- From Velanaabout 33 km
- Live sampleBookable on 5 of 5 sampled stays
- Relative price bandValue
Suits
- Travellers who want a guesthouse base with a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, as listed.
- Divers and water-sports enthusiasts, with diving, surf, fishing and water sports listed among facilities.
- Families, with family rooms and a cot listed.
- Guests who prefer a local-island stay over a private resort island, with 35 guesthouses listed on the island.
- Visitors who want a speedboat or public ferry transfer rather than a seaplane, at 33 km from Velana.
May not suit
- Travellers who want alcohol with meals: alcohol is not served on inhabited islands.
- Guests expecting a private beach or beachfront: neither is listed, and beach access is not listed.
- Snorkellers seeking a house reef: no house reef is mentioned in the record or in guest reviews.
- Those who want a pool: no pool is listed.
Live availability
Seen bookable on 5 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: returned
Ithaa Beach Maldives came back from the booking search on every one of the 5 sampled stays searched near it, with check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027. 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 38 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 Ithaa Beach Maldives
- Usual transferSpeedboat or public ferry
- From Velana airportabout 33 km, straight line
- Nearest domestic airportMaamigili, about 85 km
The usual transfer is by speedboat or public ferry. The property is 33 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line. Speedboats can run day and night, which suits arrivals that land after dark. The nearest domestic airport is Maamigili, 85 km away, but there is no need for a seaplane or domestic flight to reach South Malé Atoll; the seaplane terminal is on the same airport island, but seaplanes fly in daylight only and are used for islands further away.
In South Malé Atoll, the bridge links Malé with the airport island, which helps if you spend a night in the capital first. Public ferries link some inhabited islands within the atoll on set days, and a ferry connects Malé with the local islands; timetables change, so ask the guesthouse for the current ones. The property lists shuttle service.
More on transfers: getting from Velana to your island.
The island
Ithaa: an inhabited local island
Ithaa Beach Maldives is a guesthouse on an inhabited local island in South Malé Atoll, not a resort. The record does not name the island, but 35 guesthouses are listed there. Because it is an inhabited island, alcohol is not served and importing alcohol and pork is not allowed. Swimwear is for the designated bikini beach; shoulders and knees are covered in the village. The property lists a restaurant, room service, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi.
The nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses are Maafushi at 5.1 km, Gulhi at 11 km, Fulidhoo at 25 km and Hulhumale at 35 km. Nine resorts lie within 10 km. In South Malé Atoll, guesthouse islands and resort islands sit side by side, and resort islands are private with one property to an island and alcohol served. Some guesthouses arrange day visits to a nearby resort island, depending on the resort's day-visit policy.
Nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses, measured from coordinates: Maafushi about 5.1 km (85 guesthouses listed); Gulhi about 11 km (24 guesthouses listed); Fulidhoo about 25 km (25 guesthouses listed); Hulhumale about 35 km (25 guesthouses listed); Hulhumale about 37 km (7 guesthouses listed). Resort islands within 10 km: 9.
House rules by island type: alcohol, local-island etiquette, resort or local island.
Beach and lagoon
Beach and lagoon at Ithaa Beach Maldives
- Private beach listedno
- Beachfront listedno
- Beach access listedno
- Water sports listedyes
- Diving listedyes
- Reviews mentioning the beach1
- Reviews mentioning a house reef0
- Reviews mentioning overwater villas0
The record lists a beach nearby but no private beach, beachfront or beach access, and no lagoon or house reef. Water sports, diving, surf and fishing are listed. Guest reviews mention the beach once, in the context of a sunrise breakfast arranged by staff; no review mentions a house reef, lagoon, snorkelling, turtles, mantas, sharks or a sandbank. The listing is silent on the quality of the beach and on snorkelling from shore.
Atoll levelIn South Malé Atoll, resort islands often have a house reef close to the beach, and some run excursions to channels and sandbanks. Maafushi has a designated bikini beach where swimwear is allowed, while the village itself is conservative. Across the atoll, common excursion types include house-reef snorkelling, a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk and kayak and paddleboard a lagoon.
Sea and reef
The sea and reef around Ithaa Beach Maldives
- Alimatha night dive · about 30 kmA night dive off Alimatha in Vaavu Atoll for certified divers, run all year with conditions varying.
- The Maldive Victory wreck · about 32 kmA cargo ship that sank near the airport island in 1981; deep and current-prone, for experienced divers.
- Hulhumalé beach and the Malé ferry · about 35 kmHulhumalé has a public beach where local dress norms apply, a short taxi ride from the airport, with regular ferry crossings to Malé.
- Banana Reef · about 38 kmOne of the best-known dive sites of North Malé Atoll, dived in both monsoons.
- Lankan Manta Point · about 42 kmA manta cleaning station in North Malé Atoll, reached by boat from nearby islands.
- The Kuda Giri wreck · in South Malé AtollA small, shallower wreck in southern Kaafu, a more accessible introduction to wreck diving for certified divers.
The nearby sites listed are mostly some distance away: Alimatha night dive about 30 km in a straight line, a night dive for certified divers run all year; the Maldive Victory wreck about 32 km away, a cargo ship that sank in 1981, deep and current-prone for experienced divers; Banana Reef about 38 km away in North Malé Atoll, dived in both monsoons; Lankan Manta Point about 42 km away, a manta cleaning station visited by divers and snorkellers. The Kuda Giri wreck is in the same atoll with no exact position, a small, shallower wreck for certified divers.
In South Malé Atoll, the eastern rim is where the atoll gets its reputation among divers: channels cut through the reef edge and carry current, bringing fish and making for drift diving. Guraidhoo Kandu is a protected dive site. Recreational diving is capped at 30 metres. The property lists diving, water sports, surf and fishing, but no snorkelling and no house reef.
Seasons
Seasons in South Malé Atoll
The northeast monsoon, Iruvai, runs roughly from December to April and is the drier, calmer half of the year. The southwest monsoon runs roughly from May to November, with more wind, passing showers and choppier crossings. Air and sea stay warm all year. 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.
The surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August. For divers and snorkellers, the atoll's channels are current-prone, and visibility and sea state vary with the monsoon. The nearby sites listed, such as Banana Reef and Lankan Manta Point, are dived in both monsoons, while the Alimatha night dive runs all year with conditions varying. Seaplanes fly in daylight only.
Month by month: the weather guide and the two monsoons.
Day trips
Day trips and island hopping from here
Island hopping is possible using the public ferries that link some inhabited islands within the atoll on set days, and a ferry connects Malé with the local islands; timetables change, so ask the guesthouse for current ones. Maafushi is 5.1 km away and is the busiest local island in South Malé, with a harbour, guesthouses, cafes and dive schools. Gulhi is 11 km away, smaller, with a beach and a short walk from one end to the other. Fulidhoo is 25 km away and Hulhumale 35 km away.
Some guesthouses arrange day visits to a nearby resort island, depending on the resort's day-visit policy, usually with a fee. In South Malé Atoll, resort islands are private with one property to an island and alcohol served. Common excursion types include a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk, sunset handline fishing and learning to freedive. The property lists bike rental, canoe and shuttle service.
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
beach
A single review mentions a beach outing and a sunrise breakfast set up by the beach, but gives no detail on the beach itself.
“I stayed at Ithaa Beach for 4 days and 3 nights, and it was truly a wonderful experience from start to finish.”Vakgesri M.
What guests say about the stay
staff and service
Guest reviews repeatedly praise staff for attentiveness and going beyond expectations, naming individuals who arranged meals and cleaned rooms thoroughly. Service is described as friendly, professional and flexible.
“After a beach outing, I asked for a broom to clean the sand, but the room service staff, Abul @ Khairul, came instead and cleaned everything…”Vakgesri M.
“The staff is very attentive, Kairu took great care of us, he is friendly, attentive and professional, always making sure you don't miss anything.”MD K.
food
Reviews mention breakfast daily and a full meal plan with meals cooked by a staff member, tailored to taste and timing. One review highlights a sunrise breakfast arranged by the beach.
“Breakfast was great every day, but what made it extra special was the sunrise breakfast arranged by Abul @ Khairul.”Vakgesri M.
“We had a full meal plan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and every single meal was prepared by Abul himself.”Anna P.
rooms
One review describes the room as clean and cosy, with a cool air-conditioner and soft blankets, including an extra one provided on request.
“The room was clean and cozy, with a super cool air-conditioner and soft blankets (they even provided an extra one upon request).”Vakgesri M.
Practical
Practical island life
Free Wi-Fi is listed for this property, and a restaurant and room service are listed. Breakfast is listed, and special diets are noted. The property also lists an ATM, currency exchange, a safe, a 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security. On local islands generally, mobile data is often more reliable than guesthouse Wi-Fi; prepaid SIM cards are sold at Velana International Airport and in Malé and Hulhumale. Mobile coverage is good on inhabited islands and patchy at sea.
Inhabited islands have cafes and shops, and life follows the island day. On all local islands, Friday midday prayers close many businesses for a time, and during Ramadan eating and drinking in public in daylight is avoided. The property lists laundry service, dry cleaning, iron and board, hairdryer, toiletries and a refrigerator. No prices or fees are given here.
Compare
Against the 3 nearest similar stays
| Stay | Class | Guest score | Transfer | Distance | Live sample | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaa Beach Maldives (this stay) | 3-star local island | 4.5 (97 reviews) | Speedboat, 33 km | — | 5/5 | Check dates |
| h78 Guraidhoo | 4-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 33 km | 0.2 km away | 4/5 | Check dates |
| Summer Villa Guest House | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 29 km | 4.5 km away | 5/5 | Check dates |
| KUE Hotel Maafushi | 3-star local island | none yet | Speedboat, 28 km | 4.7 km away | 3/5 | Check dates |
Facilities listed
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour security
- ATM
- Air conditioning
- Badminton
- Bars
- Bath
- Beach nearby
- Bidet
- Bike rental service
- Breakfast
- Canoe
- Coffee
- Cot
- Currency exchange
- Diving
- Dry cleaning service
- Family rooms
- First aid
- Fishing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Hairdryer
- Housekeeping
- Internet access
- Iron and board
- Laundry Service
- Non smoking rooms
- Picnic area
- Refrigerator
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Safe
- Shuttle service
- Special diets
- Surf
- TV
- Toiletries
- Water sports
Questions about Ithaa Beach Maldives
What is the usual transfer to Ithaa Beach Maldives?
The usual transfer is by speedboat or public ferry. The property is 33 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line, and speedboats can run day and night. The nearest domestic airport is Maamigili at 85 km, but no seaplane or domestic flight is needed for South Malé Atoll.
What are the rules on alcohol, dress and swimwear?
Alcohol is not served on inhabited islands, and importing alcohol and pork is not allowed. Swimwear is for the designated bikini beach; shoulders and knees are covered in the village. These are local-island rules, not resort rules.
Is there a beach and a house reef?
The record lists a beach nearby but no private beach, beachfront or beach access, and no house reef. Guest reviews mention the beach once, without detail. Snorkelling is not listed, so the listing is silent on a house reef.
What does the listing show about meals at Ithaa Beach Maldives?
The facility list for Ithaa Beach Maldives names a restaurant, a bar, breakfast, room service and special diets. 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 to visit South Malé Atoll?
The northeast monsoon, roughly December to April, is the drier, calmer half of the year. The southwest monsoon, roughly May to November, brings more wind and passing showers. Surf runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August.
Is the guesthouse better for families or couples?
Family rooms and a cot are listed, and the guesthouse scores 4.5 out of 5 from 97 reviews, so it suits families as well as couples. It is not adults-only. The local-island setting means no alcohol on the island and swimwear limited to the bikini beach.
What nearby sea or island experience is within reach?
Maafushi is 5.1 km away, the busiest local island in South Malé, with a harbour, cafes and dive schools. Gulhi is 11 km away. Diving sites include the Kuda Giri wreck in the same atoll and Banana Reef about 38 km away.
Was Ithaa Beach Maldives bookable in the live sample?
Ithaa Beach Maldives came back on 5 of the 5 sampled stays searched near it (check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027). Rooms were on sale on every sampled date. 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 South Malé Atoll · All island stays · South Malé Atoll guide · This stay in the hotels section