MALDIVES

Places to visit maldives

Ari Atoll

Ari Atoll can be referred to as a natural atoll located in Maldives. It’s, in fact, one amongst the largest atolls situated on the western side of archipelago. The nearly rectangular alignment goes on to spread the ‘islands’ over the area of around 30 X 89 kilometers. This place has been separated in to 2 sections; of course for ‘administrative purposes’. These are: Southern Ari Atoll and Northern Ari Atoll. The former one comprises of ‘105’ islands. Ari Atoll has been a part of zone which has been designated with regards to tourist development within Maldives.This place has monsoon type of climate. However, it should be noted that being located on equator, monsoons aren’t severe and well-defined like in adjoining nations. South-west monsoons (May-October), bring certain wind and rain. The temperature on an average is around 28.1 degree Celsius. Winter, i.e. the period between November and February is the best one to visit Ari Atoll.

Kulhudhuffushi

Kulhudhuffushi can be described as capital of ‘Haa Dhaalu Atoll’ administrative division. From the geographical point of view, it’s a portion of Thiladhummati Atoll on the northern side of Maldives. This island is amongst the largest and most densely populated islands in Maldives. Having worked in ‘cargo vessels’ and shark fishing are basic sources of income over here. This place had been affected by storms and heavy rain in the years 1812, 1819, and 1921; thereby having caused substantial damages. Keylakunu storm also caused great damages to Kulhudhuffushi.Kadhaa Mali is a popular folk-dance over here. Its performance gets initiated by beating of drums ; along with a ‘Kadhaa’; which can be mentioned as an instrument consisting of copper plate and copper rod. Costumes go on to depict diverse styles of ghosts and evil spirits. Such evil spirits get mentioned as ‘Maali’.

Hithadhoo

Hithadhoo can be described as capital of ‘Seenu Atoll’; which is the most ‘southerly’ atoll with regards to Maldives. It ranks second in terms of population; the first being ‘Male’. Southern region consists of shrubs and palms; whereas whole of north depicts as partly stony and unreal shrub landscape; that can get exploredon extremely close paths. The above-mentioned town, i.e. Hithadhoo Town comes up as place with bent houses, green vegetation, close lanes, and dusty roads. Multicolored driving prevails on roads; especially if loads of children wait in diverse school uniforms of theirs after conclusion of school. Hithadhoo happens to be the 2nd most developed island all over Maldives.

Male

Malé is the capital of the Republic of Maldives and is regarded as one of the smallest capitals of the world in terms of physical size. The city, an exotic blend of ethnicity and modern values, is a place with high-rise buildings and good infrastructure. Malé, pronounced ‘Maa-lay’, is home to over 80,000 inhabitants.
Distinguished by a tropical climate, which ranges from humid to dry, Malé boasts of pleasant weather for most of the year. Monsoons make their presence felt from March through November. The climate is largely influenced by the monsoon winds.
Formerly, Malé was an enclosed city with numerous forts but it was remodelled to become an urban centre of trade. Today, the city is a commercially active zone with tourism being the largest industry, followed by fishing and agriculture.

Ihuru

Ihuru can be referred to as an island located in Maldives. The present scenario is such that Ihuru is known as ‘Angsana Resort and Spa Maldives Ihuru’. Moreover, this island was opened in the year 2001 on the first day of October.Majority of visitors are of the opinion that Ihuru is nothing but one of the gems that has been lost in Indian Ocean. Naturally, it’s round, as far as shape is concerned; with beach surrounding it from every side. It’s exceptionally good with regards to snorkeling.In Angsana Spa, one would be amaze with loads of non-clinical and holistic treatments which emphasize on use of aromatherapy as well as sense of touch for rejuvenating the body, mind, and spirit. As many as 6 treatment rooms have been offered by this island; apart from 2 deluxe rooms. Steam baths are also provided with. When recreation of ‘Angsana resort’ comes in to picture, house reef cannot be missed out.

Thinadhoo

Thinadhoo can be described as capital of ‘Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll’. Moreover, it’s proposed capital with regards to Maldives’ Medhu-Dhekunu province. This place has Dhivehi dialect of its own; which seems to be drastically different as compared to mid-Maldivian and northern speech. This island had primarily been known as ‘Havaru Thinadhoo’. Also, it had been conventional seat with respect to Huvadhu Atoll Chief. Literal meaning of ‘Havaru’ is ‘Military’.In the year 1962, Havaru Thinadhoo got fully destroyed as per orders issued by Ibrahim Nasir, the then Prime Minister. The objective was to put an end to United Suvadive Republic’s separatist movement. The resettlement, however, took place in the year 1966 on 22nd of August by around 1800 people. Reconstruction of around 440 households took place. On 27th of June, 1979, this island was renamed ‘Thinadhoo’.

Famous places of maldives

Kaafu (Malé) Atoll – NorthMalé

The capital of the Maldives, Malé, is situated close to the airport on the southern point of the North Malé Atoll. Although accommodation is available, very few foreign visitors stay in the capital; even those doing business normally stay in one of the nearby resort islands and travel to Malé by boat. The capital has several shops which sell examples of local handicrafts and imported goods. Other attractions include the Mulee-aage, a former palace; National Museum, located in the Sultan’s Park with a superb collection of artifacts including Sultanese thrones and palanquins; the fish and vegetable markets; the beautiful 17th-century Hukuru (or Friday Mosque); and the Islamic Center, with its magnificent golden dome. There are over 20 other mosques scattered around Malé.

Baros

Covering a land area of 60,680 sq m (653,160 sq ft) and with a beach length of 1024m (3360ft), this oval-shaped island is located approximately one hour by boat from the airport. One side of the island is full of corals, within 3 to 6m (10 to 20ft) of the shallow beach, perfect for snorkeling and diving lessons, whilst the other side is a superb beach ideal for swimming and water-skiing.

Bandos

East of Baros is the island of Bandos, one of the larger resorts whose accommodation consists of well-furnished beach bungalows with a view of the beach. There is a particularly good diving school; one of the attractions is a dive down to the aptly-named Shark Point.

Hudhuveli

Situated on the east side of the North Malé Atoll, Hudhuveli is, like Bandos and Vaadhu, operated by Deen’s Orchid Agency. It is a modern beach resort with single-unit bungalows with straw roofing and freshwater showers.

Ihuru

This small island is exceedingly beautiful and much photographed. The accommodation consists of simple bungalows.

Kurumba

A tiny island covering an area of half a square mile, Kurumba is 15 minutes by boat from the airport and 10 minutes from Malé. There are conference facilities, swimming pools, gymnasia and jacuzzis, as well as five restaurants. Most watersports can be arranged, including scuba diving; the colorful fish in the lagoon will eat out of your hand.

Nakatchafushi

Situated on the west side of the North Malé Atoll and boasting the country’s largest lagoon, Nakatchafushi is perhaps one of the most photographed of all the islands. Located on the western side of the Malé Atoll, it is 24km (15 miles) from the airport (travel time - approximately 90 minutes). The lagoon is perfect for watersports and a long strip of sand at the western end of the island is a haven for beachcombers. There is also a swimming pool.

Full Moon (Furana)

This resort can be reached in 20 minutes from the airport. The resort’s deep lagoon makes it a favorite base for visiting yachts. It also boasts a gymnasium, a business center and five restaurants.

Giraavaru

The island of Giraavaru lies 11km (7 miles) west of the airport. It can be reached by speed boat (travel time – 15 minutes) or by normal transfer boat (travel time – 45 minutes). The well-appointed rooms face either a tropical garden or have a view of the Indian Ocean.

Reethi Rah

An untouched and beautiful island on the northwest of the North Malé Atoll. Thatched bungalows and 10 water bungalows built on stilts over the lagoon are influenced by local architectural styles without missing any of the modern comforts.

Makunudhoo

This island is reached by a two-hour voyage from the airport. It is one of the most expensive resorts and one that is renowned for its food. The Maldivian-run island probably provides the best anchorage of any resort and always has yachts for charter. It is protected on all sides by a beautiful lagoon. The accommodation consists of individual thatched bungalows situated in coconut groves leading down to the beach.

Kanifinolhu (Kani)

The island of Kanifinolhu (Kani) is on the eastern edge of the North Malé Atoll. The seas around the island boast some of the best inside reefs in the country, and the protection provided by the external reef makes diving possible even in the roughest conditions. The style of the accommodation is influenced by local and oriental design and some rooms have air conditioning. The island has a desalination plant for fresh water.

Other resorts

The resorts of Farukolhufushi (Club Med) and Thulhaagiri have superb facilities for watersports. Both have a swimming pool and Thulhaagiri has one windsurfing board for every twin-bedded room. Club Med has a qualified team organizing sport and leisure activities during the day and in the evening. Summer Island Village offers 93 air-conditioned rooms in an idyllic tropical setting. Other highly regarded North Malé resorts are Boduhithi and the neighboring Kudahithi and, closer to the airport, Lhohifushi, which has a beautiful lagoon and a wide range of watersport facilities. Kudahithi, one of the most expensive resorts in the Maldives, has only six units – excellent for small, private groups.

Kaafu (Malé) Atoll – South

Still in the Malé (Kaafu) Atoll, but to the south of the airport, are a further score of resorts. Notable among these are Biyadhoo and Villivaru which are 33km (21 miles) from the airport. Both are owned and managed by the Taj Group from India.

Coco Island

The nearby Coco Island has only eight two-story thatched huts, all of which are beautifully furnished. Private groups can rent the entire resort.

Veligandu Huraa (Palm Tree Island) and Dhigufinolhu

To the east of Coco Island, these ‘twin’ islands are connected by a causeway across the lagoon. The latter is the livelier of the two, with more rooms and more in the way of entertainment: Veligandu Huraa has individual bungalows and a more intimate atmosphere. They are only a gentle stroll away from each other should one feel the need for a change of mood.

Kadooma

South of Coco Island is Kandooma, where flowering shrubs surround chalet-style accommodation. Trips can be arranged to the nearby fishing village.

Bodufinolhu (Fun Island)

Located on the south eastern reef of the South Malé Atoll, this island is ringed with a massive lagoon and connected to two uninhabited islets which can be reached on foot at low tide. All rooms are on the beachfront with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, IDD telephones and hot and cold desalinated water.

Embudu Village

Located 11km (7 miles) from the airport in South Malé Atoll, this resort offers 36 non-air-conditioned bungalows, 72 air-conditioned bungalows and 16 deluxe bungalows built over the lagoon. It boasts a house reef as well as two wrecks, caves and drop offs.

Vaadhu

This diving paradise, on the north tip of the South Malé Atoll and about 45 minutes by taxi boat and 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport, has a fully-equipped diving school. There are 31 cabana-style rooms on this island whose features include freshwater showers, and which reflect the high level of capital investment which has been made in the resort.

Other Atolls

Most of the other resorts are to be found in the North and South Malé Atolls, but there are also several others, most in the northern island groups (see map).

Alifu (Ari) Atoll

Resorts in the Alifu (Ari) Atoll, which is to the west of Malé with 26 resorts, include Kuramathi, a relatively large island which has first-class facilities and offers an excellent beach, superb diving, windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing and night fishing and has three resorts. Aribeach is a 121-room resort offering standard and superior accommodation with hot and cold fresh water, air conditioning and a superb range of scuba diving and watersport facilities. Nika Island is a small, away-from-it-all, upmarket, 25-room resort offering clients some of the most comfortable boats in the Maldives. Fesdu is situated in the heart of the atoll rather than on the periphery. Accommodation consists of 50 thatched round-houses, all of which are close to the beach. Angaga, also in Ari Atoll, is small and impressively constructed in traditional Maldivian style and with air-conditioned rooms and fresh hot and cold water. Among other resorts are Bathala, Ellaidoo, Gangehi, Halaveli, Maayaafushi, Machchafushi and Madoogali. Several others are under construction or have recently opened and there are now 23 resorts in the Ari Atoll.

Baa Atoll

The Baa Atoll is about 130km (80 miles) northwest of the capital, one of the few places where traditional arts and crafts are still practiced, and now home to five resorts. The atoll’s coral reefs are in pristine condition and are famous for the large number of mantas and reef sharks visiting during the southwest monsoon (May to July). The resorts of Reethi Beach and Coco Palm are both 5-star, each with over 100 rooms divided into three categories of luxurious villas. There are five restaurants, a fully equipped gym and even squash and tennis courts. Unlike other islands, Baa has its own in-house doctor. Transfer is a 30-minute journey by sea plane or helicopter from the airport. The Soneva Fushi resort, situated on Kunfunadhoo Island, has 62 villas, all scattered along the beach front on both sides of the island. It is situated 121km (75 miles) north of Malé airport (travel time – 25 to 30 minutes by Hummingbird Island Airways). Soneva Fushi has two main restaurants, both offering interior and exterior dining with local and international cuisine. The atoll’s other resort is Royal Island, which has facilities for a wide range of watersports, a health spa and a professional dive school.

Elsewhere

To the north of the North Kaafu Atoll is Lhaviani Atoll with the fairly simple 250-bungalow Kuredhdhoo resort, essentially a spot for the besotted diver. Immediately south of the South Kaafu Atoll is the Vaavu Atoll, with some of the best diving in the entire archipelago. A well established, long-popular resort, especially among visiting Italians, is the 70-bungalow Alimatha. Most tourism is in the northern atolls, but Seenu, the southernmost atoll of the archipelago (situated south of the equator), is known to many as the site of a former RAF staging post in Gan. It provides tourist accommodation at the Ocean Reef Club. There is a regular, heavily booked domestic flight between Malé and Gan.