Chambao
Beachfront on Guraidhoo, with real food and the ocean at the door.
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A place to stay on Guraidhoo
CHAMBAO - Cafe & Retreat sits directly on the beach in Guraidhoo, a local island about 30 km from Malé and roughly 30–35 minutes by scheduled speedboat. It is a small, independently run property with its own café-restaurant, a shisha lounge, cocktail service, and access to some of the South Malé Atoll's better-known dive and snorkel sites. Two room types — a 17 m² double and a 35 m² quadruple — both have private bathrooms, air conditioning, a terrace, and a courtyard-facing outlook. The Google rating sits at 4.8/5 across 436 reviews, which is unusually high for a local-island guesthouse.
The honest verdict
A compact beachfront guesthouse with a proper café, island-local atmosphere, and easy access to manta rays, wrecks, and a sandbank — without a resort price tag.
Best for
- Divers and snorkellers on a budget
- Couples and families wanting beach access on a local island
- Travellers who want food and shisha on-site
- Anyone happy to swap a resort pool for the real ocean
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers expecting alcohol served on the island (local island)
- Those wanting a private pool or overwater villa
- Last-minute planners — transfers are schedule-dependent
What a stay costs
Indicative room-only estimate from the lowest nightly rate — excludes airport transfers, taxes and seasonal price changes. Many Maldives properties also require a minimum stay. Check live rates for your dates.
Direct beach access, bikini beach nearby
The property sits on the beachfront with direct beach access. Guraidhoo's designated bikini beach is close by, giving guests a practical option for swimming and sunbathing without needing a boat transfer to a sandbank.
CHAMBAO Café: Mediterranean and local-fusion
The on-site café-restaurant runs a menu that draws on Mediterranean and local-fusion cooking. Themed dinners and BBQ evenings are available on request. There is also a shisha lounge and cocktail service, which is a genuine rarity on a local island.
Rooms with terraces and courtyard views
Both room types face the inner courtyard and open onto a private terrace. The quadruple runs to 35 m² with a flexible bed configuration — one large double plus two singles — suited to families or small groups.
Diving and water excursions on the doorstep
Manta Divers Diving Center is roughly 350 m from the property. Wall dives, coral gardens, wreck sites, and manta ray snorkel trips are all arranged through local operators. Kayaking and surfing with a private instructor are also available.
A drone photography service on-site
CHAMBAO runs a drone photography service — useful for capturing aerial shots of the sandbanks and reef on excursion days. It is not a common feature at this price point.
Rooms & suites
Double Room
17 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Inner courtyard view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
- Terrace
Quadruple Room
35 m² · sleeps 4 · 2 twin beds and 1 queen bed
- Inner courtyard view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
- Terrace
Inside Chambao Maldives
Amenities at Chambao Maldives
Most popular facilities
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Beachfront
- Family rooms
- Fast free Wifi 84 Mbps)
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Pet friendly
- Terrace
- Free Wifi
- BBQ facilities
- Flat-screen TV
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
- Walk-in closet
View
- Inner courtyard view
Outdoors
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Terrace
Getting there
Chambao Maldives is on Guraidhoo in Kaafu Atoll, about 33 km from Velana International Airport (MLE). Reach it by the scheduled public ferry from Malé, or a shared or private speedboat the guesthouse can arrange.
The public ferry costs only a few dollars but runs on set days; a shared speedboat is typically $25–50 per person one way. The guesthouse usually arranges the speedboat — confirm days and fare.
On the map
Guraidhoo sits in Kaafu Atoll. Kaafu (North & South Malé Atoll) is the most accessible region, a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.
Maldives tours & activities
Excursions you can book for a Maldives stay — manta & whale-shark snorkelling, sandbank picnics, diving and sunset cruises. Availability varies by island; filter by your dates and location on GetYourGuide.
Across 436 Google reviews, CHAMBAO holds a 4.8/5 rating — well above the average for local-island guesthouses in the Maldives. While no detailed review themes are available, a score at that level across a large sample consistently points to strong overall satisfaction with the stay.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to CHAMBAO from Malé airport?
The public ferry from MTCC Malé terminal takes around one hour and costs under $2, running most days except Fridays. Scheduled speedboats run 5–6 times daily, take 30–35 minutes, and cost $25 per person. Private transfers are available on request, subject to weather.
How far is Guraidhoo from Malé?
Guraidhoo is approximately 30 km from Malé and the international airport. The speedboat is the fastest practical option at 30–35 minutes.
What room types are available?
There are two types: a 17 m² Double Room for two, and a 35 m² Quadruple Room sleeping up to four with a large double bed and two single beds. Both have a private bathroom, terrace, air conditioning, and free WiFi.
Is there an on-site restaurant?
Yes. CHAMBAO Café serves Mediterranean and local-fusion food. Themed dinners and BBQ evenings are available on request. A shisha lounge and cocktail service are also on-site. A seafood restaurant with Asian food is about 150 m away.
Is alcohol available on the island?
Guraidhoo is a local island, so standard alcohol service does not apply as it does at resort islands. Cocktail service is listed at CHAMBAO, but guests should confirm current availability directly with the property before booking.
Can I go diving or snorkelling from here?
Yes, through local operators. Manta Divers Diving Center is about 350 m from CHAMBAO. Excursions include wall diving, coral gardens, wreck diving, and snorkel trips to see manta rays, turtles, and nurse sharks.
What other activities can be arranged?
Kayaking, sunset fishing, sandbank visits, and surfing with a private instructor are all available through local operators. CHAMBAO also runs a drone photography service on-site.
Is the property suitable for families?
The Quadruple Room at 35 m² is the main family option, sleeping up to four. The property is listed as family-friendly, and family rooms are noted in the official room listing.
Is there a beach directly at the property?
Yes. CHAMBAO has direct beach access. Guraidhoo's bikini beach, where swimwear is permitted, is also close to the property.
What is the price range?
Rooms start from $117.45 per night for the Double Room and from $142.16 per night for the Quadruple Room. These are the lowest published rates and may vary by season or booking platform.
Is free WiFi available?
Yes. Free WiFi is included in both room types.
How do I book and is an airport shuttle available?
The property can be booked directly or through major booking platforms. An airport shuttle is listed as an available service — contact CHAMBAO in advance to arrange it, as transfers are schedule- and weather-dependent.