Royal Island Resort & Spa
A full island in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, 120 km from Malé.
An island resort on Horubadhoo
Royal Island Resort & Spa occupies its own island in Baa Atoll, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, roughly 120 km from Malé. The resort runs on a Premium All-Inclusive plan across 148 beach villas, with two restaurants, three bars, an on-site dive centre, and the Araamu Spa. The transfer options matter here. You can reach the island via a 35-minute seaplane (operating 09:00–15:00 only), or take a 20-minute domestic fixed-wing flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo followed by a 10-minute speedboat. The speedboat route runs regardless of time of day, which is useful for late arrivals.
Who this stay suits
A large, all-inclusive beach resort with a house reef, multiple dining venues, and strong family infrastructure — busy by nature, but well set up for it.
Best for
- Families needing space and a kids club
- Divers targeting Hanifaru Bay mantas and whale sharks
- Couples wanting a private-pool villa on a full-island resort
- Travellers who want meals, drinks, and activities in one price
Less suited to
- Those seeking a small, quiet guest-house experience
- Travellers arriving after 15:00 who want the seaplane option
- Visitors on a tight budget
Island position and reef access
The resort sits inside the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A house reef runs along the island, and guided excursions run to Hanifaru Bay — one of the few aggregation sites in the world for manta rays and whale sharks — plus dolphin cruises and sandbank trips.
Dining across five venues
Maakanaa is the main beachside buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Raabondhi is the ocean-facing à la carte, specialising in flame-grilled meats and fresh seafood. Boli Bar runs 24 hours on the beach with cabana seating, live music, coffee, and cocktails.
Pool Bar and Fun Pub
The Pool Bar has submerged seating and runs 10:00–18:00. After dark, Fun Pub takes over with live bands and DJ sets from 21:00. Both are included in the all-inclusive plan.
Araamu Spa in the island jungle
The spa sits inside the island's inner jungle, physically separate from the beach. It specialises in Indian Ayurvedic treatments — a specific focus rather than a generic treatment menu. The jungle setting keeps it apart from the main resort activity.
Villas and room sizes
Beach Villas run 57 sqm. Beach Pool Villas step up to 125 sqm with a private pool and sun terrace. The Two-bedroom Beach Pool Residence reaches 257 sqm. All villa categories face the beach; Sunset Beach Villas are oriented to the western side of the island.
On-site water sports and activities
The resort runs its own diving centre and water sports facilities directly on the island. Bicycle rental, tennis, badminton, live music evenings, and themed dinner nights are also available — along with the Starfish Kids Club for younger guests.
Where you'll stay
Beach Villa
57 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 king bed
- 1 room
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
Sunset Beach Villa
57 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 king bed
- 1 room
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa
114 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 twin bed and 1 full bed
- Entire apartment
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
Family Suite with Pool
257 m² · sleeps 3 · Bedroom 1: 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed Bedroom 2: 1 twin bed and 2 full beds
- Private suite
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Pool view
Inside Royal Island Resort & Spa
Amenities at Royal Island Resort & Spa
Most popular facilities
- Pool – outdoor (kids)
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 2 restaurants
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
Great for your stay
- 2 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness center
- Bath
- Free Wifi
- BBQ facilities
- Flat-screen TV
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
View
- Sea view
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Private beach area
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities
- Bicycle rental
- Live music/Performance
- Happy hour Additional charge
- Themed dinners Additional charge
- Beach
- Badminton equipment
- Tennis equipment Additional charge
- Evening entertainment
Arriving
Royal Island is approximately 120 km from Malé. The seaplane transfer takes around 35 minutes but runs 09:00–15:00 only. The alternative is a 20-minute domestic fixed-wing flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo, then a 10-minute speedboat to the resort — the more practical option for late arrivals.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
Royal Island holds a 4.7/5 Google rating across 1,523 reviews. Bed comfort is a recurring positive theme — flagged prominently in guest feedback. The location within the Biosphere Reserve and access to Hanifaru Bay are consistently noted as reasons guests choose this resort over others in the atoll.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 28 · average 9.8
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, facilities
Reviews scoring 7–9: 2 · average 8
They wrote about: breakfast, room, bathroom
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Worth knowing
The fine print
- Check-in
From 2:00 PM
- Check-out
Until 12:00 PM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Groups
When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional fees may apply.
- Accepted payment methods
Cash
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Your questions
How do I get to Royal Island from Malé airport?
Two routes: a 35-minute seaplane (09:00–15:00 only), or a 20-minute domestic fixed-wing flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo followed by a 10-minute speedboat. The speedboat route works for late arrivals when the seaplane is not operating.
Is the seaplane available for all arrival times?
No. Seaplane transfers operate between 09:00 and 15:00 only. If your flight lands outside that window, the domestic-flight-plus-speedboat route to Dharavandhoo is the alternative.
What meal plan does the resort run on?
Royal Island operates as a Premium All-Inclusive resort. Meals across Maakanaa and Raabondhi, drinks at Boli Bar, the Pool Bar, and Fun Pub are included. Special diet menus — vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, continental — are available on request.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling and diving?
Yes. The resort has a house reef and an on-site dive centre. Guided reef snorkelling and diving are available directly from the island, and the dive centre also organises excursions to Hanifaru Bay for manta rays and whale sharks.
What is Hanifaru Bay and can I visit from this resort?
Hanifaru Bay is a protected bay in Baa Atoll, known for large aggregations of manta rays and whale sharks. The resort runs excursions there. Timing depends on season, so ask the dive centre on arrival about current conditions.
Is the resort suitable for families with children?
Yes. The resort has the Starfish Kids Club, family room categories including the Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa and the eight-person Family Suite with Pool, plus a range of daytime activities. Family rooms are available across multiple price points.
Which villa has the largest private pool?
The Family Suite with Pool sleeps eight and has a private pool, making it the largest pool villa category. The Beach Pool Villa at 125 sqm also has a private pool with sun terrace and suits couples or groups of three.
What is the Araamu Spa?
The Araamu Spa specialises in Indian Ayurvedic treatments and is located inside the island's inner jungle. It is physically separated from the main beach area, making it a distinct part of the island rather than an extension of the pool zone.
What evening entertainment is available?
Fun Pub opens from 21:00 with live bands and DJ entertainment. Boli Bar runs live music throughout the day and evening. The resort also organises themed dinner nights and live performances as part of the all-inclusive programme.
What water sports are available on the island?
Water sports facilities run on-site. The resort also has bicycle rental, tennis, and badminton equipment available. Excursions include dolphin cruises, sandbank trips, and island-hopping — all arranged through the resort.
What are the room rates?
Beach Villas start from $302 per night. Beach Pool Villas from $306. Sunset Beach Villas from $331. The Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa starts from $538 and the Family Suite with Pool from $1,218. Rates vary by season.
Is Royal Island in the Maldives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?
Yes. The resort is located in Baa Atoll, which holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. This affects what can be done on and around the reef, and it is the same atoll that contains Hanifaru Bay.