Royal Island Resort
Beachfront resort in the UNESCO Baa Atoll
An island resort on Horubadhoo
Royal Island Resort & Spa is situated on its own island in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This 5-star property offers classically designed beach villas and residences. The resort provides a range of dining options, bars, and extensive facilities including a spa, outdoor pool, and sports courts, alongside on-site diving and watersports.
The honest verdict
A premium all-inclusive resort experience with a focus on natural beauty and marine life, ideal for relaxation and exploration.
Best for
- Couples and families
- Diving and snorkelling
- Marine life enthusiasts
- Relaxation seekers
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers seeking urban amenities
- Those preferring a short airport transfer
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.
Beachfront villas
Choose from 148 beach villas, each with a private patio or balcony. Options range from standard Beach Villas to larger Family Beach Villas and those with private pools, all offering sea views.
Dining and bars
Enjoy buffet dining at Maakanaa or à la carte seafood at Raabondhi. The Boli Bar offers 24-hour service with live music, while the Pool Bar serves drinks from 10:00 to 18:00. Fun Pub hosts live bands and DJs.
Araamu Spa
The spa is set within the island's jungle, offering Indian Ayurvedic treatments. It provides a tranquil setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Activities and excursions
Facilities include an on-site diving centre, water sports, tennis courts, and badminton. Excursions include dolphin cruises, sandbank trips, and visits to Hanifaru Bay for manta rays and whale sharks.
Rooms & suites
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 Maldives
Amenities at Royal Island Resort Maldives
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
Getting there
Getting to Royal Island Resort Maldives on Horubadhoo in Baa Atoll means covering about 120 km from Malé (MLE) by seaplane — a scenic flight of roughly 35 minutes. The resort books the seaplane with your stay. 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
Horubadhoo sits in 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.
Guests frequently mention the property's location in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the opportunities for marine life viewing. The resort's facilities, including dining and spa treatments, are also noted.
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.
Good to know
House rules
- 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
Frequently asked
How do I get to Royal Island Resort & Spa?
Access is via a 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé, operating between 09:00 and 15:00. Alternatively, take a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer.
What are the room types available?
Accommodation includes Beach Villas, Sunset Beach Villas, Two Bedroom Family Beach Villas, Beach Pool Villas, and Two-bedroom Beach Pool Residences, some featuring private pools.
What dining options are available?
The resort has a beachside buffet restaurant (Maakanaa) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an à la carte seafood restaurant (Raabondhi). There are also three bars.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling?
Yes, the resort offers reef snorkelling with nearby dive sites accessible from the property.
Are there activities for children?
The resort features an outdoor pool for kids and a kids club named Starfish Kids Club.
What excursions can I book?
Book dolphin cruises, sandbank trips, island-hopping excursions, and trips to Hanifaru Bay to see manta rays and whale sharks.
What is the best time to visit?
The Maldives is a year-round destination, but the dry season from November to April generally offers the best weather.
Hotels near Royal Island Resort
- Dusit Thani Maldives · Mudhdhoo Island · 6.0 km
- SonevaFushi · Eydhafushi · 6.3 km
- MOONSHELL RESIDENCE · Maalhos · 6.7 km
- Thundi by Biosphere · Maalhos · 6.7 km
- Dhonfulhafi Beach View · Maalhos · 6.8 km
- Madi Giri Guest House · Baa Maalhos · 6.8 km
- Manta Reserve · Maalhos · 6.9 km
- Island Luxury Retreat · Maalhos · 7.0 km