DHAWA Ihuru (formerly Angsana Ihuru), North Malé Atoll — 2026 Luxury Guide 🏝️✨
A professional, up-to-date briefing for travelers seeking an intimate, reef-first island with quick speedboat access from Malé and a polished, barefoot-chic vibe.
Note: Venue names, inclusions, and specific room features can evolve with seasonal updates. Reconfirm must-have details (room location, dining access, marine excursions) at time of booking.
Overview & Vibe 🌿👣
- Barefoot luxury atmosphere
- A tiny, circular island of soft sand, palms, and thatch where shoes feel optional from arrival.
- The mood is nature-forward and unhurried: snorkel the house reef before breakfast, laze in a hammock by afternoon, and toast sunset with toes in the sand.
- Design is contemporary-tropical under the DHAWA banner: clean lines, airy lounges, and eco-conscious touches.
- Reputation worldwide
- Long celebrated among divers and serious snorkelers for one of North Malé’s most dependable house reefs and a photogenic, close-to-shore drop-off.
- Attracts couples, honeymooners, and ocean-loving families who value a small island and top-tier reef access over ultra-luxe theatrics.
- Shared pedigree with sister island Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru nearby; dine-around or shared experiences are often offered by reservation (reconfirm for your plan/dates).
Accommodations 🏡
A streamlined, all-beachfront portfolio—no overwater villas—prioritizing direct sand-and-sea living and indoor-outdoor flow.
- Beachfront Villa
- Setting: Steps from the lagoon along a palm-fringed arc; easy access to marked reef entry points.
- Highlights: Private veranda with loungers, bright coastal interiors, king/twin bedding, semi-open bathroom in many units with outdoor shower, minibar, tea/coffee.
- Why book: Best value and ideal for guests who prefer solid-ground sleeping with instant beach access.
- Family notes: Adjacent/nearby villas can often be placed together on request (not guaranteed).
- Beachfront Jet Pool Villa 🫧
- Setting: Prime beachfront positions with added privacy in a walled back garden.
- Highlights: All Beachfront Villa features plus a private jetted plunge (jet pool) for cooling dips, enhanced deck/daybed space for lazing between snorkels.
- Why book: The most romantic option on the island—great for honeymooners and sunset-lovers who want personal splash time without moving overwater.
Good to know
- Villas are boutique in scale (cozy indoors, generous outdoor living); décor and soft furnishings may vary slightly by refurbishment cycle.
- Sunset vs. sunrise orientation can be requested; availability is limited and not guaranteed.
Marine Life & Diving 🤿🐢
- House reef
- Access: Exceptionally close—short swims from multiple marked entry/exit points bring you to the drop-off.
- Highlights: Regular sightings of turtles, blacktip/whitetip reef sharks (shy, non-aggressive), eagle rays, napoleons, and schooling fusiliers. Coral communities show healthy sections alongside natural regeneration.
- Conditions: Currents range from gentle to lively along channel-facing edges; an orientation snorkel with the team is recommended for first timers.
- Signature site: The Rannamaari wreck—a beloved dive/snorkel highlight in the vicinity—adds variety for photographers and wreck-curious guests.
- Dive Center (PADI-certified partner)
- Services: Intro dives and full certifications, guided boat dives (day/night), nitrox for certified divers, rental gear, and photo/video support.
- Notable North Malé sites: Channel (kandu) drifts and thilas with soft corals, pelagics, and seasonal manta encounters at regional cleaning stations (e.g., Lankan Manta Point) timed to tides and monsoon.
- Whale sharks: North Malé is not a year-round whale shark area. The Maldives’ most reliable, year-round whale shark zone is South Ari Atoll. Full-day safaris are long and sightings are never guaranteed.
Eco ethos: Expect strong marine-biologist presence, coral-nursery initiatives, and guided eco-snorkels—please follow briefings, keep distance, and never touch coral or marine life.
Dining & Bars 🍽️🍹
- Main Restaurant (buffet-style with show-cooking)
- Cuisine: International spreads with rotating theme nights (often including a Maldivian evening), fresh salads, seafood grills, fragrant curries, pastas, and house desserts.
- Atmosphere: Breezy and convivial with indoor-outdoor seating and sand-underfoot ease—ideal for relaxed, barefoot meals.
- Dietary notes: Vegetarian options daily; advise gluten-free, vegan, or allergies in advance for tailored guidance.
- Main Bar (beachfront lounge)
- Vibe: The social hub—casual by day, mellow and intimate post-sunset.
- Drinks: Classic and tropical cocktails, mocktails, wines by the glass, beers, and espresso-based coffees; bar snacks/light bites during service hours.
- Sunset Bar/Deck 🌇
- Vibe: A west-facing deck/zone perfect for golden-hour spritzes and stargazing—often an extension of the main bar’s service rather than a fully separate venue.
- Moments: Post-dive debriefs, photography sessions, and romantic nightcaps with a sea breeze.
Extras
- Private beach dinners, sandbank picnics, and in-villa dining can be arranged with advance notice.
- Dine-around to sister Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is often possible by reservation/supplement (reconfirm your plan’s inclusions).
Amenities & Wellness 💆♀️🏋️♂️⛵
- Spa
- Style: Asian-inspired therapies delivered by Banyan Tree–trained therapists in serene treatment pavilions.
- Menu: Aromatherapy and deep-tissue massages, hot-stone, body scrubs/wraps, after-sun soothers, facials, and couples’ rituals.
- Fitness & Wellbeing
- Gym: Compact, air-conditioned space with essential cardio and free weights.
- Activities: Beach yoga/stretch on select days; marine-biologist talks and eco-walks periodically scheduled.
- Water Sports & Recreation
- Included (non-motorized): Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards; snorkel gear is typically provided/available—policies vary by plan.
- Extra-cost: Jet ski, parasailing, fun tubes/wakeboard, catamaran sailing/lessons (where available), guided snorkel safaris, dolphin cruises, sunset/night fishing, local island visits, and pro photo sessions.
- Pool & Kids
- Pool: Typically no large communal swimming pool—the lagoon is your (spectacular) pool.
- Families: Child-friendly island with shallow lagoon areas; no large kids’ club. Ad-hoc or seasonal activities may be offered—reconfirm for your dates.
- Practicalities
- Island-wide Wi‑Fi (speeds vary with weather/occupancy), boutique, clinic access on call, and a photo/video desk.
Logistics ✈️🛥️
- Transfer from Velana International Airport (MLE)
- Speedboat: Approximately 20–25 minutes, operating throughout the day and evening subject to sea conditions—no seaplane required.
- Baggage: Standard speedboat allowances apply; pre-advise oversized items.
- Late arrivals: Same-night transfers are usually feasible, minimizing airport overnights.
Planning Pointers ✨
- Prioritize west-facing villas if sunset is a must (limited, not guaranteed).
- Book dive/snorkel outings tied to tides/monsoon for the best manta chances; for whale sharks, consider an alternate atoll day trip only if offered and you’re comfortable with the long travel time.
- Reserve private dinners and peak spa slots early—small island, high demand.
