Shaviyani Retreat
A beachfront guest house on Ukulhas, where the atoll begins at your door.
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A place to stay on Ukulhas
Shaviyani Retreat sits on Ukulhas, a small island roughly 74 km from Malé, reached by seaplane. The guest house is set directly on the beach, and the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony opens to a sea view — straightforward and without the overhead of a large resort. The property includes outdoor dining, BBQ facilities, a garden, and a kitchen with a refrigerator and kettle. Activities such as snorkelling, diving, and fishing can be arranged, and bicycles are available to rent for getting around the island.
The honest verdict
A small, beachfront guest house on Ukulhas with sea-view rooms, outdoor dining, and arranged water activities — simple and personal rather than resort-scale.
Best for
- Couples wanting a beachfront stay without resort prices
- Travellers curious about local island life on Ukulhas
- Guests who want to arrange snorkelling or diving excursions
- Those who prefer a quieter, smaller-scale Maldives experience
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers wanting all-inclusive or extensive on-site facilities
- Those who prefer a short seaplane-free transfer from Malé
Beachfront position on Ukulhas
The guest house sits directly on the beach at Ukulhas. The sea is immediately accessible, and the outlook from the balcony is unobstructed water. It is one of the defining reasons to choose this property over an inland option on the same island.
Sea-view room with balcony
The Deluxe Double Room has a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a balcony facing the sea. The bathroom includes a bath, free toiletries, and a hairdryer. Linen and towels are provided, and there is a socket near the bed.
Outdoor dining and garden
A garden, outdoor furniture, and a BBQ area give the property a relaxed al fresco character. Guests can eat outside, and the kitchen includes a refrigerator, toaster, electric kettle, and dining table for self-catering.
Activities around the island
Bicycles are available to rent for exploring Ukulhas. Snorkelling, diving, and fishing trips can be arranged through local operators. The island's location in the atoll puts good reef access within reach by boat.
Rooms & suites
Inside Shaviyani Retreat
Amenities at Shaviyani Retreat
Most popular facilities
- Airport shuttle
- Room service
- Beachfront
- Family rooms
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Breakfast
Great for your stay
- Private bathroom
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- View
- Bath
- Free Wifi
- BBQ facilities
- Family rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Towels/Sheets (extra fee)
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
View
- Sea view
- View
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Balcony
- Garden
Getting there
Getting to Shaviyani Retreat on Ukulhas in North Ari Atoll means covering about 74 km from Malé (MLE) by seaplane — a scenic flight of roughly 20 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 Ukulhas is part of North Ari Atoll. North Ari Atoll (Alifu Alifu) is known for vibrant dive sites, reef sharks and a classic mix of resort islands.
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.
Shaviyani Retreat holds a 4.4/5 Google rating across 42 reviews. The highlights section flags the location as particularly well regarded by recent guests. Breakfast options noted include continental, Asian, and American styles, suggesting meal flexibility that repeat visitors appear to appreciate.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Shaviyani Retreat from Malé?
The transfer is by seaplane. Ukulhas is approximately 74 km from Malé, and the seaplane is the confirmed mode of transfer. The guest house can arrange an airport shuttle on arrival.
What room types are available?
There is one room type: the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View. It sleeps two and includes a private bathroom with bath, air conditioning, a balcony, and sea views.
Is breakfast included?
The property notes continental, Asian, and American breakfast options. Confirm meal plan inclusion at the time of booking, as the guest house's specific meal package terms are not detailed in publicly available information.
Can I go snorkelling or diving from the guest house?
Yes, though these are arranged excursions rather than on-site facilities. The guest house can help organise snorkelling, diving, and fishing trips with local operators around the Ukulhas area.
Are bicycles available?
Bicycle rental is available at the property. It is a practical way to explore Ukulhas, which is small enough to cover easily by bike.
Is the property suitable for families?
Family rooms are listed among the amenities, so the guest house can accommodate families. Contact the property directly to confirm current availability and configuration for your group size.
Is there a BBQ or outdoor dining area?
Yes. The property has BBQ facilities, outdoor furniture, and an outdoor dining area alongside a garden. There is also a kitchen with a refrigerator, toaster, kettle, and dining table for self-catering.
Is WiFi available?
Free WiFi is included throughout the property.
Is Ukulhas an alcohol-free island?
Ukulhas is a local inhabited island, and as with all such islands in the Maldives, alcohol is not available on the island itself. This is standard for local island guest houses across the country.
What is the best time to visit?
The Maldives dry season generally runs from November to April, with calmer seas and more reliable sunshine. The wet season from May to October brings lower prices and fewer crowds, though seaplane transfers can be affected by weather.
Is there room service?
Room service is listed as an available amenity at Shaviyani Retreat.
How do I book?
Contact the guest house directly or use a booking platform that lists the property. Given it is a small guest house with one room type, early contact is advisable during peak season months from December to March.