Faima Fishing Lodge at Daravandhoo
A reef at your doorstep, a quiet island to come back to.
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A place to stay on Dharavandhoo
Manta Retreat is a 3-star hotel on Dharavandhoo island, roughly 116 km from Malé, reachable by domestic flight or seaplane. It sits close enough to a house reef that snorkelling and diving are practical daily activities, not half-day excursions. Rooms start at $53 per night. The property has a restaurant, BBQ facilities, a kids' club, and a free airport shuttle. It is small — only one room category is listed — which means the experience is simple and fairly consistent.
The honest verdict
A no-frills island hotel with direct reef access, basic but comfortable garden-view rooms, and straightforward on-site dining.
Best for
- Budget-conscious divers and snorkellers
- Families with young children
- Travellers who want reef access without a luxury price tag
- Guests content with a single-restaurant setup
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers wanting overwater villas or a spa
- Those seeking a wide choice of room types
- Guests who prefer a large resort with multiple dining venues
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 Faima Fishing Lodge at Daravandhoo
Getting there
Getting to Faima Fishing Lodge at Daravandhoo on Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll means covering about 116 km from Malé (MLE) by seaplane — a scenic flight of roughly 35 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
Dharavandhoo, the hotel's island, belongs to 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.
Manta Retreat has a 4.7 Google rating from 7 reviews, and the location score recorded from recent guests is notably high at 9.9. The sample size is small, so patterns are hard to draw with confidence, but no specific negative themes appear in the available data.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Manta Retreat from Malé?
The property is 116 km from Malé on Dharavandhoo island. You can get there by domestic flight or seaplane. Once you land, the hotel provides a free airport shuttle to the property.
Is the airport shuttle really free?
Yes. A free airport shuttle is listed as a confirmed facility. It covers transfers between the local airport and the hotel, which reduces arrival costs at an already budget-friendly property.
What room types are available?
There is one room type: the Deluxe Double Room. It sleeps two guests in a large double bed and has a garden view, air conditioning, minibar, flat-screen TV, soundproofing, private bathroom, and free WiFi.
What is the price per night?
Rooms start from $53 per night for the Deluxe Double Room. Prices will vary by season and availability; the figure listed is the lowest published rate.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling?
Yes. A house reef is listed as a signature feature and snorkelling is available directly from the property. You do not need to book a separate boat excursion to access it.
Can I go diving at Manta Retreat?
Diving is listed as an on-site activity alongside snorkelling, canoeing, and fishing. The property does not publish further details on the dive centre in the available facts, so it is worth confirming equipment and pricing when you book.
Is Manta Retreat good for families?
The hotel has a kids' club listed as a signature feature and specifically offers family rooms. The free airport shuttle is also practical for families. It is a small property, so expect a quieter environment rather than a large resort setup.
Is there a restaurant on-site?
Yes, there is one restaurant. The property also has BBQ facilities and runs themed dinner nights and evening entertainment. No details on a meal plan or board basis are provided in the available facts.
What activities are available beyond snorkelling and diving?
On-site activities include canoeing, fishing, darts, live music, themed dinner nights, and evening entertainment. All are listed as property facilities, though schedules and any extra costs are not specified in the available data.
Does the hotel have WiFi?
Free WiFi is included in every room and is listed as a general property facility.
When is the best time to visit Dharavandhoo?
The available facts do not include seasonal data for this property. Generally, the Maldives dry season runs from November to April, with calmer seas and better visibility for diving. Checking conditions for Baa Atoll specifically before booking is advisable.
How do I book Manta Retreat?
The available facts do not specify a direct booking method. Rooms can typically be reserved through major travel booking platforms or by contacting the property directly. Confirm meal plans and dive centre details at the time of booking.
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