Horsburgh Island Guesthouse
A beachfront guesthouse on Goidhoo, with a house reef at the door
Rates from our booking partners
We may earn a commission from bookings made through this site, at no extra cost to you. We are not the property and bookings are completed on the partner's site.
A place to stay on Goidhoo
Horsburgh Island Guesthouse sits on Goidhoo Atoll, 96 km from Malé. The property is small — 28 Google reviews at a 4.7 rating — and rated 10.0 for location by recent guests. Rooms start at $198 per night. The house reef is the clearest reason to choose this place over a more central option. Snorkelling and diving go straight off the beach, and the guesthouse runs fishing, canoeing, and local culture tours too. There is a restaurant on-site, a kids' club, and BBQ facilities.
The honest verdict
A compact beachfront guesthouse with direct reef access, on-site dining, and a range of water activities, a long way from Malé.
Best for
- Snorkellers and divers
- Families with children
- Travellers wanting a local-island experience
- Those prioritising reef access over resort amenities
Maybe not ideal for
- Guests wanting overwater villas
- Those needing easy access to Malé
- Travellers expecting full resort facilities
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.
Inside Horsburgh Island Guesthouse
Getting there
Getting to Horsburgh Island Guesthouse on Goidhoo in Baa Atoll means covering about 96 km from Malé (MLE) by seaplane — a scenic flight of roughly 30 minutes. The property arranges the seaplane once your flights are confirmed. Seaplanes fly in daylight hours only, so late arrivals may overnight in Malé.
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.
On the map
The island of Goidhoo is part of Baa Atoll. Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, famous for Hanifaru Bay and its seasonal gatherings of manta rays and whale sharks.
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.
With 28 Google reviews and a 4.7 rating, the sample is small but consistent. Recent guests rated the location 10.0 out of 10. No individual review themes are available in the current data set, so a breakdown by topic cannot be given here.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Horsburgh Island Guesthouse from Malé?
The guesthouse is 96 km from Malé. Transfer is by seaplane or domestic flight. The property offers an airport shuttle service, so it is worth confirming the shuttle arrangement directly when you book.
What room types are available?
There are three room types: a Deluxe Double Room with Sea View ($202.95/night), a Deluxe Triple Room with a balcony ($227.70/night), and a standard Deluxe Double Room ($198/night). All are 21 m² and sleep two.
Is there a room suitable for families?
The Deluxe Triple Room has a bunk bed and a large double bed, which suits a family sharing one room. The property also has a kids' club and is listed as having family rooms.
Does the guesthouse have its own restaurant?
Yes. The on-site restaurant covers continental, full English/Irish, vegetarian, halal, Asian, and American options. BBQ facilities are also available on the property.
Can I snorkel or dive directly from the beach?
Yes. There is a house reef accessible from the beachfront. The guesthouse runs both snorkelling and diving in-house, so no separate operator is needed.
What other water activities are on offer?
Canoeing and fishing are available on-site alongside snorkelling and diving. All activities are run by the guesthouse rather than a third-party operator.
Is free WiFi available?
Free WiFi is included in the Deluxe Double Room and the Deluxe Double Room with Sea View. It is not listed as a facility in the Deluxe Triple Room, so confirm this when booking if connectivity matters.
What land-based activities does the guesthouse run?
The property has cooking classes, local culture tours, badminton equipment, and karaoke. Live sport events are broadcast on-site as well.
What is the starting price per night?
The Deluxe Double Room starts at $198 per night. The sea-view version starts at $202.95 and the Deluxe Triple Room at $227.70. These are the lowest published rates and may vary by date.
How do guests rate the location?
Recent guests gave the location a score of 10.0. The overall Google rating is 4.7 from 28 reviews, which is a small but positive sample.
Are there any dining options off the island?
No off-site dining venues are listed in the available information. Plan to eat at the on-site restaurant, which does cover a broad range of breakfast and meal styles.
How do I book?
Rooms can be reserved through standard online travel platforms or by contacting the guesthouse directly. Given the small size of the property, booking in advance is advisable, particularly during peak season.