This uniquely beautiful, flat coral islands in the Indian Ocean are a dream destination for divers, boaters and sunbathers.
The Maldives consist of 26 major atolls, a total of 1190 islands, 200 of which are completely uninhabited, 87 are exclusive resort islands. Most of the resorts located on the time (Kaafu) Atoll, some also Vaanu, Baa, Lhaviyani and Alifu (Ari) Atoll.
The resorts offer ideal conditions for snorkeling, wind surfers and water skiers, many can be rented diving equipment, play volleyball, sailing on the Maldivian dhoni sailing boats and deep sea fishing. Most have tennis and badminton courts and other sports facilities.
The capital of Maldives, once located on the island. The airport is located near the capital city at the southern tip of the Northern Atolls time. Though there are accommodation options, only a few visitors remain in the capital. Even business people are usually living on a nearby resort islands and travel by boat to time most of the islands at least once a week, started from a boat once. In the capital there are several shops sell the local handicrafts and imported goods. Local attractions include the National Museum and the Great Mosque with its golden dome.
Kaafu Atoll (North)
Baros, about 450 m long and 180 m wide located one hour by boat from the airport. One side of the island is full of coral, 3-6 m from the beach in shallow water and ideal for snorkeling and diving. On the beautiful beach on the other side of the island is a great place for swimming and water skiing.
East of the holiday island of Bandos Baros is one of the larger resorts. The accommodations consist of well-furnished bungalows on the beach. The dive school is highly recommended. One popular route is to dive Shark Point, where the instructor feeds the sharks by hand.
Vaadhoo the island at the northern tip of the southern atoll is about 45 times-minute boat ride from the airport and also has a fully equipped diving school. There are 31 rooms in the cabana-style with fresh water showers.
Hudhuveli on the east side of the northern atoll-time is a modern structure with thatched roof individual bungalows and freshwater showers.
Ihuru there is a beautiful small island whose accommodation from basic bungalows with a total of 45 beds.
Kurumba: This large island only 800 square meters is located 20 minutes by boat from the airport and 30 minutes from time Hulule away. Facilities include meeting rooms, restaurants, swimming pools, fitness room and whirlpool. Most water sports can be exercised.
Nakatchafushi has the largest lagoon in the Maldives and is one of the most beautiful islands. It is located on the west side of the atoll-time. The 24 km from the airport puts you back to the boat in about 90 minutes. The lagoon is ideal for all water sports, on the long strip of sand on the western tip of the island, you can sunbathe in privacy.
Furana is a resort island near the airport (20 minutes). The deep lagoon with marina owners particularly popular. The Full Moon beach resort has a fitness room and business center.
Makunudhoo is 2 hours away from the airport and is one of the most expensive holiday islands. The island is probably the best marinas of the island with a large sail boat rental. Makunudhoo is protected on all sides by a lagoon. The accommodations consist of individual bungalows with thatched roofs.
Kanifinohlu (Kani) lies on the eastern edge of the atoll. The sea offers some of the best coral reefs in general, even in inclement weather divers by the outer reef is protected. The plant is built in oriental style and indigenous. Some of the bungalows are air conditioned. The island has a sea water desalination plant for fresh water extraction.
Farukolufushi Thulhagiri and have recently been rebuilt. Farukolufushi is located near the airport and is operated by Club Med. Both islands offer excellent water sports facilities. Thulhagiri has a swimming pool and a windsurfing board is per double room available. Other resort islands in the atoll and the island are Boduhiti Kudahithi. Kudahithi, one of the most expensive resort islands of Maldives, offers only six bungalows ideal for small private groups. Lhonifushi lies closer to the airport with a beautiful lagoon and a variety of water sports.
Kaafu Atoll (South)
South of the airport and also in time (Kaafu) Atoll are other holiday islands. Especially noteworthy are the Villivaru Biyaadhoo and about 30 km from the airport. On the nearby island of Cocoa, there are eight two-story cabanas with thatched roofs. Private groups can rent the entire island.
North of Cocoa are the twin islands and Digufinolhu Veligandhu Huraa, which are connected by a causeway with each other. Digufinolhu is the livelier of the two islands with a wider range of accommodation and entertainment. Veligandhu Huraa offers individual bungalows and a very private atmosphere.
Cocoa Island is located south of Kandooma. The villa-style accommodations are surrounded by flowering shrubs. Visits to the nearby fishing village can be arranged.
Bodufinolhu (Fun Iceland) lies on the eastern reef of the southern atoll-time. The island has a huge lagoon and is connected to two small uninhabited islands, which can be reached at low tide. All bungalows are located on the beach, have bathrooms, air conditioning, international phone lines and running hot and cold water from the desalination plant.
The other atolls
Most resort islands are located in the Kaafu Atoll Alifu and (Ari) Atoll. To the resort islands in the Ari Atoll, west of time is Kuramathi, a larger island with world class resort and excellent dive sites, surfing, water skiing and night fishing trips. Nika is a small, quiet island in the upscale 26-room, a quality restaurant and particularly comfortable boats. More holiday islands of this group are Halaveli, Bathala, Ellaidoo, Gangeli, and Madoogali Maayaafushi.
The resort on the tiny island Angaga, also in the Ari Atoll, is impressive in traditional Maldivian style building, offering air conditioning and running hot and cold fresh water.
To the south lies the Vaavu Atoll. Here are some of the best diving in the Maldives. The traditional holiday island Alimatha offers 70 bungalows. Fesdu is in the middle of the atoll. The accommodations consist of 50 thatched round houses, which all lie on the beach.
Located on the northern Lhaviyani Atoll lies the 250 bungalows comprehensive Kuredu resort, which was set up especially for avid divers. The Baa Atoll is located about 130 km north-west of the capital. This is still practiced traditional arts and crafts. The holiday island is Kunfunadu with 50 beds in this atoll.
The tourism is concentrated in general on the northern atolls, only Seenu, the southernmost atoll of the archipelago (south of the equator) is known for the former RAF base at Gan. You can stay in the Holiday Village Gan. Air Maldives runs regularly between Mal and Gan. Some companies also offer a helicopter service (see Travel – Internal).
