This was our fifth trip to the Maldives, and Dhawa Ihuru was one of our best stays. The island is very small, which is both a plus and a minus: everything is only a few minutes away, but the overall sense of space is limited. The villas are built quite close together, although vegetation and small fences help preserve privacy well.
The house reef is outstanding: colorful, extensive, full of fish, with excellent visibility. In calm conditions the whole island can be snorkeled around without leaving the water. There are five marked entry points, though during high tide we could enter almost anywhere. Currents were stronger in August, so fins were definitely useful. We were also told not to enter the water after 6 pm, although we received no written information about this, which slightly reduced the feeling of freedom.
The sandy beach is not very wide, and rocks and coral begin quite close to shore, so it is less suitable for playing in shallow water. On the other hand, the bungalow area offered excellent shade, loungers, a swing bed and a large outdoor seating area facing the sea.
Food was consistently good, service was friendly and fast, and restaurant opening hours were generous. The gym is spacious, well equipped and has a beautiful sea view, with a separate panoramic yoga room. Wi-Fi was stable enough for Netflix.
Main negatives were the very soft, worn mattress, cold tiled floor and poor sound insulation. Overall, however, this was one of our favorite Maldives stays.