Samura Guest House
Balinese-furnished rooms on a Maldivian beach, 25 km from Malé
A local-island guesthouse on Thulusdhoo
Samura Guest House sits directly on the beach on Thulusdhoo island, about 25 km from Malé. Rooms are furnished in a Balinese style, each with a balcony or terrace facing the sea. The guest house is one of two Samura properties on the island — the other being Samura Panorama. On-site dining draws on local and international recipes, and free breakfast is included. The island itself has a working local community, and the guest house is positioned to help guests arrange marine excursions, cultural activities, and surf trips in the surrounding waters.
The honest verdict
A straightforward beachfront guest house with character — Balinese furniture, sea-view balconies, free breakfast, and a team that arranges excursions on the water.
Best for
- Couples and small families wanting beach access without resort prices
- Surfers and snorkellers using Thulusdhoo as a base
- Travellers who want a local-island experience
- Guests who value attentive, personal service
Maybe not ideal for
- Those expecting a full resort environment
- Travellers who need a television in the room
- Anyone wanting an alcohol-free alternative to a local island
Beachfront position on Thulusdhoo
The guest house sits on the beach, not set back from it. Balconies and terraces face the water directly, so the sea view from your room is the real thing, not a distant glimpse between buildings.
Rooms with a Balinese character
Furniture throughout the rooms mixes Balinese pieces with, in the suites, Italian design elements. Bathrooms in the suite categories include a tub and double sink. None of the rooms have televisions.
Outdoor spaces and garden
Beyond the rooms, the property has a terrace, picnic area, and garden with outdoor furniture. A BBQ facility is also available for guests.
On-site dining
The restaurant serves food that draws from both local Maldivian cooking and international dishes. A coffee house and snack bar are also part of the food and drink setup on site.
Experiences on & off the island
Inside Samura Guest House
Amenities at Samura Guest House
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Private bathroom
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Room service
- Non-smoking rooms
- BBQ facilities
Bathroom
- Private bathroom
Outdoors
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- BBQ facilities
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities
- Tour or class about local culture
- Water sport facilities on site
- Snorkelling
- Diving
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Windsurfing
- Fishing
Food & Drink
- Coffee house on site
- Fruits
- Kids' meals
- Special diet menus (on request)
- Snack bar
- Breakfast in the room
- Bar
- Restaurant
Internet
- Internet services
Getting there
Thulusdhoo island sits about 25 km from Velana International Airport in Malé. The transfer is by public ferry or shared speedboat. The guest house offers an airport shuttle service — arrange this in advance when confirming your reservation. Journey times vary depending on which service you take.
The public ferry costs only a few dollars but runs on set days; a shared speedboat is typically $25–50 per person one way. The guesthouse usually arranges the speedboat — confirm days and fare.
On the map
Where to eat
- Kooks Café restaurant 0.02 km
- Fusion Feast restaurant 0.07 km
- The Nexus Hub restaurant 0.21 km
- RG Restaurant restaurant 0.25 km
- Bandaha Cafe restaurant 0.25 km
- ClamShell restaurant 0.36 km
Across 223 Google reviews, the guest house holds a 4.7/5 rating. Service is the most-reviewed theme, with 30 of 32 mentions positive. Nature and location also score well — 21 of 23 and 11 of 13 positive mentions respectively. Cleanliness (10 of 11 positive) and breakfast (7 of 9 positive) round out the picture.
- Things to do3.6
- Restaurants3.5
- Airport access1.6
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Samura Guest House from the airport?
Thulusdhoo is about 25 km from Malé. The transfer is by public ferry or shared speedboat. The guest house can arrange an airport shuttle — confirm the details when you book.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Yes, free breakfast is included with all room types. The guest house also provides breakfast in the room on request, and the on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner.
What room types are available?
There are three room types: a King Room with Sea View (30 m², sleeps 2, from $130), a Queen Room with Sea View (40 m², sleeps 3, from $150), and a Suite with Sea View (40 m², sleeps 2, from $200).
Do the rooms have televisions?
No. None of the rooms at Samura Guest House have televisions. All rooms do have free WiFi, air conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms.
Can I go snorkelling or diving from the guest house?
Snorkelling, diving, and other water activities are arranged as excursions with local operators. The guest house has a tour desk and water sport facilities on site to help organise trips.
What marine excursions can be arranged?
The guest house arranges sandbank visits at three locations, coral and turtle garden trips, aquarium and shark point tours, desert island excursions, surfing, canoeing, fishing, and windsurfing.
Is the property suitable for families?
The Queen Room sleeps three and the suite categories are described as family suites. The guest house also lists family rooms, kids' meals, and special diet menus among its facilities.
Is there a bar on site?
The facility list includes a bar. Thulusdhoo is a local inhabited island, so guests should check directly with the guest house about what is available.
Is free parking available?
Yes, free private parking is available on site.
Is Samura Guest House related to any other property?
Yes. Samura Guest House is part of a two-property group. Its sister property, Samura Panorama, is also on Thulusdhoo island.
What dining options are there near the guest house?
Several restaurants are within walking distance. Kooks Café is about 20 metres away, Fusion Feast around 70 metres, and a handful of other restaurants including RG Restaurant and Bandaha Cafe are within 300 metres.
How do I book?
Rooms can be booked through the guest house directly or via online booking platforms. The 24-hour front desk also handles express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, and invoice requests.