Male
Male the capital of the Maldives is the commercial centre, seat of government and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks. With an area of just over 1.77 square kilometres, it is home to over sixty thousand people and is the busiest and most populous island in the archipelago. It has been known as the Sultan 's Island in the past.

The Grand Friday Mosque Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A"z"am is the biggest mosque in the Maldives. It also includes the Islamic Centre. This grand mosque with its dominant golden dome decorates the facade of Male. It can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time. Nearly all visitors to Male take time to visit this magnificent landmark.

The old Friday Mosque with its unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness of its compound gives the visitor a glimpse of the past. The art in the mosque and royal burial grounds are unique and invaluable.

Other sites in Male include the tombs of legendary saints Mulee-aage- the Presidential Palace and the National museum in the Sultan Park which shows the glories of a different era. All these are within a ten minute stroll.

The fruit and vegetable market and the firewood market are busy and colourful places where islanders from outer atolls trade their goods. The fish market nearby is always immaculately clean. In the busy hours of late afternoon when fisherfolk begin to arrive with the day 's catch, the fishermen cutting and cleaning the fish have developed the process to an art. It is a clean and well maintained area that generates much interest from visitors and provides a glimpse into the life of typical Maldivian fisher-folk.

Faafu Atoll
To the south of the large Ari Atoll is Faafu Atoll measuring 27 kilometres in width and 30 kilometres in length. Out of the 23 islands in the atoll, five are inhabited and one has been selected for development as a tourist resort. In this atoll too, almost all the islands are on the eastern side of the atoll. The geography of the interior of the atoll is similar to that of Ari Atoll, with a number of patch reefs and small submerged thilas. The channels in the northeast corner of the atoll promises great diving. A short flight of 30 minutes on a seaplane would get you to this atoll from the airport. Although the atoll is not well known for its fishing, it is the main occupation of the 2,000 inhabitants of this atoll. The island of Nilandhoo at the southern tip of the atoll is well known to Maldivian historians. The famous archeologist Thor Heyerdahl excavated an archeological site here. It was discovered that at one stage the island was a centre of Hindu worship before the conversion to Islam. There were probably seven Hindu temples on the island. More important for today’s Maldivian is the 800-year-old mosque on the island built by Sultan Mohamed Ibn Abdhulla, who was responsible for converting the country to Islam. This mosque was built using stones from the older Hindu temples. Inside, it is decorated with fine Arabic writings.

Baa Atoll
The French ship ‘Corbin’ was wrecked on Fulhadhoo in Goidhoo Atoll in 1602. It was here that Pyrard de Laval, the famous French explorer who was on board, had his first experience of the Maldives.Until late ’98 this atoll to the north of Male’ Atoll was home to just a single resort. The administrative region of Baa Atoll is comprised of two geographical atolls. The small Goidhoo Atoll also known as Horsburgh Atoll to the south, is also part of the administrative region of Baa Atoll. The population of the atoll is about 10,000 spread out over ten of the islands out of a total of 50. Five are tourist resorts. The rest lie ‘deserted’, their vegetation untouched and beaches rarely trodden. Many of them are used for excursions by resorts in the atoll. The reefs of this atoll are in pristine condition, and whether you are a diver or snorkeller the unspoilt natural beauty of the atoll is readily apparent. One of the secrets of Baa Atoll is the large numbers of mantas and whale sharks that visit the atoll, during the southwest monsoon especially from May to July. Resorts in Baa Atoll offer transport from the airport by seaplane and speedboat, however due to the distance involved seaplane is the more convenient option. The main occupation of the people of this atoll is tuna fishery, however some of the islands are well known for their skilled craftsmen. Most of the lacquer ware you see for sale in the souvenir shops and resort boutiques are the work of the people of Thulhaadhoo although the main occupation of the people of the island is fishing. Eydhafushi, the capital island was famous for it ‘feyli’ weaving - a wraparound skirt for women.

Lhaviyani Atoll
A small atoll in comparison to other atolls, Lhaviyani Atoll is also known as Faadhippolhu. It is 35 kilometres long and 37 kilometres wide and lies 120 kilometres north of Male’. The atoll is comprised of about 50 islands out of which five are inhabited. Most of the islands in the atoll are large and densely vegetated and unusually they are all situated on the outer rim of the atoll. The first resort in the atoll opened in 1988 and remained the only one in the atoll until the end of 1998. The atoll is well known for its diving. The ‘boatyard’, for instance offers divers the unique opportunity of enjoying two wrecks in one dive. Lhaviyani Atoll is home to about 8,000 people. Almost half of the population lives on the island of Naifaru, the atoll capital. Except for Hinnavaru and Naifaru the other villages are sparsely populated. The main occupation of the people of the atoll is fishing and even today they are renowned fishermen. It is no wonder that the Felivaru Tuna Canning Factory, the only canning factory in the country is located in the atoll. The factory now produces about 90,000 tonnes of canned tuna per year and employs about 2000 staff. All fish used for canning, is caught using the pole and line method, thus encouraging a sustainable, environment friendly fishing industry. The island of Maafilaafushi, on the northern rim of the atoll, is being resettled with encouragement from the government. Although it is only a small population that is resident on the island so far, the government has already provided them with important infrastructure such as a school, health centre and mosque.

South Kaafu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll is also a haven for surfers. The eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll has many recognised surf sites for the avid surfer - ‘Cokes’ at Thulusdhoo is one. Most of the recognised surfs in the Maldives are in North Male’ Atoll.This is where tourism began in 1972. Kaafu Atoll consists of four geographical atolls; North and South Male’ Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo Atolls. The atoll is located almost in the centre of the Maldives atoll chain. With 80 islands in all, only 12 are inhabited. That includes the capital, Male’ and the island of Hulhule on which Male’ International Airport is located. While the first resort opened with just 30 rooms in 1972 now there are a total of 3657 rooms distributed amongst 44 resorts in the atoll. In fact the biggest concentration of resorts is in North Male’ Atoll. The atoll is dotted with dive sites, many of them well known in the diving community. Manta points, interesting reef formations, coral gardens and wrecks are all part of the diving experience in these atolls. The Maldives Victory, which sank on Friday the 13th 1981 near the airport island of Hulule, is now an exciting diving attraction. Transport to the resorts in Male’ Atoll are by ‘dhoni’, motorised local vessels or by speedboat. The island of Thulusdhoo in North Male’ Atoll is a centre of commercial activity. It is most famous for its Coca Cola bottling plant- certainly one of the few, if not the only plant that uses desalinated water. The State Trading Organisation (STO) has one of its main warehouses for dried fish on the island. It is a trans-shipment point for dried fish, smoked and salted fish for export. Vessels from the northern atolls loaded with dried fish stop by at Thulusdhoo to sell their fish. In addition to these there are garment factories and a boat building facility that uses fibre-glass to build the traditional ‘dhonis’. The eastern side of Thulusdhoo is famous for its surfs aptly named ‘Cokes’.

North Kaafu Atoll
This is where tourism began in 1972. Kaafu Atoll consists of four geographical atolls; North and South Male’ Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo Atolls. The atoll is located almost in the centre of the Maldives atoll chain. With 80 islands in all, only 12 are inhabited. That includes the capital, Male’ and the island of Hulhule on which Male’ International Airport is located. While the first resort opened with just 30 rooms in 1972 now there are a total of 3657 rooms distributed amongst 44 resorts in the atoll. In fact the biggest concentration of resorts is in North Male’ Atoll. The atoll is dotted with dive sites, many of them well known in the diving community. Manta points, interesting reef formations, coral gardens and wrecks are all part of the diving experience in these atolls. The Maldives Victory, which sank on Friday the 13th 1981 near the airport island of Hulule, is now an exciting diving attraction. Transport to the resorts in Male’ Atoll are by ‘dhoni’, motorised local vessels or by speedboat. The island of Thulusdhoo in North Male’ Atoll is a centre of commercial activity. It is most famous for its Coca Cola bottling plant- certainly one of the few, if not the only plant that uses desalinated water. The State Trading Organisation (STO) has one of its main warehouses for dried fish on the island. It is a trans-shipment point for dried fish, smoked and salted fish for export. Vessels from the northern atolls loaded with dried fish stop by at Thulusdhoo to sell their fish. In addition to these there are garment factories and a boat building facility that uses fibre-glass to build the traditional ‘dhonis’. The eastern side of Thulusdhoo is famous for its surfs aptly named ‘Cokes’.

North Alif Atoll
With 27 resorts in the atoll, this is the second zone to which tourism expanded. Alifu Atoll is comprised of three geographical atolls - Ari Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, measuring 80 kilometres in length and 30 in width, Rasdhoo Atoll and the tiny Thoddoo Atoll. If you visit a resort in Ari, you will be surprised to learn that this is one of the most highly developed tourist areas in the Maldives. Looking out across the water from your bungalow you will easily forget that the rest of the world exists. Only when you venture out and visit other resorts will you realise that there are other widely dispersed resorts.

You may get to your chosen resort in Alifu Atoll by speedboat or seaplane, an exciting option considering the beauty of the atolls from the air.

Alifu Atoll is divided into two administrative zones; South and North Alifu Atolls. There are a total of 18 inhabited islands with a population of about 10,000. Thoddoo has a reputation for agriculture, especially watermelons. In 1958 archeological sites on the island were excavated. It was found that the island was an important Buddhist centre before the country embraced Islam in 1153. The island’s mosque was built in the 17th century and has recently been renovated. The mosque on the island of Mathiveri was built during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar, during the 17th century. The Friday Mosque in the capital Male’ was also built during his reign.

South Alif Atoll
With 27 resorts in the atoll, this is the second zone to which tourism expanded. Alifu Atoll is comprised of three geographical atolls - Ari Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, measuring 80 kilometres in length and 30 in width, Rasdhoo Atoll and the tiny Thoddoo Atoll. If you visit a resort in Ari, you will be surprised to learn that this is one of the most highly developed tourist areas in the Maldives. Looking out across the water from your bungalow you will easily forget that the rest of the world exists. Only when you venture out and visit other resorts will you realise that there are other widely dispersed resorts.

You may get to your chosen resort in Alifu Atoll by speedboat or seaplane, an exciting option considering the beauty of the atolls from the air.

Alifu Atoll is divided into two administrative zones; South and North Alifu Atolls. There are a total of 18 inhabited islands with a population of about 10,000. Thoddoo has a reputation for agriculture, especially watermelons. In 1958 archeological sites on the island were excavated. It was found that the island was an important Buddhist centre before the country embraced Islam in 1153. The island’s mosque was built in the 17th century and has recently been renovated. The mosque on the island of Mathiveri was built during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar, during the 17th century. The Friday Mosque in the capital Male’ was also built during his reign.

Vaavu Atoll
Vaavu Atoll is comprised of two geographical atolls; the main Vaavu Atoll and the large circular atoll, 9 kilometres in diameter, Vattaru with just one uninhabited island on it. Vaavu Atoll is a true geographical wonder. It is a boot-shaped atoll and the ‘toe’, Fotteyo Muli is the easternmost point of the Maldives archipelago. In addition to this, the 55 kilometres long unbroken reef that stretches from the ‘toe’ to the ‘heel’ of the ‘boot’ is the longest reef in the Maldives and the island Fotteyo Bodufushi on this reef is the easternmost island. Vaavu atoll has been exposed to tourism since 1975 and the atoll has been a great favourite with safari and cruise operators. However it is more isolated and less commercialised than any of the other tourist atolls. The reefs of the eastern side of the atoll are in pristine condition and are wonderful for divers and snorkellers alike. There are many thrilling shark dives in the atoll, where divers may be lucky enough to see hammerhead sharks as well as the more common grey reef sharks. Both resorts in the atoll offer transport from the airport by speedboat, an exciting two-hour cruise southwards along the eastern side of the atolls. There are about 17 islands in the atoll in addition to several small islets. The population of the atoll is less than 2,000 and the five fishing villages are sparsely populated. The islands still retain the idyllic atmosphere of relaxed island life.

Faafu Atoll
To the south of the large Ari Atoll is Faafu Atoll measuring 27 kilometres in width and 30 kilometres in length. Out of the 23 islands in the atoll, five are inhabited and one has been selected for development as a tourist resort. In this atoll too, almost all the islands are on the eastern side of the atoll. The geography of the interior of the atoll is similar to that of Ari Atoll, with a number of patch reefs and small submerged thilas. The channels in the northeast corner of the atoll promises great diving. A short flight of 30 minutes on a seaplane would get you to this atoll from the airport. Although the atoll is not well known for its fishing, it is the main occupation of the 2,000 inhabitants of this atoll. The island of Nilandhoo at the southern tip of the atoll is well known to Maldivian historians. The famous archeologist Thor Heyerdahl excavated an archeological site here. It was discovered that at one stage the island was a centre of Hindu worship before the conversion to Islam. There were probably seven Hindu temples on the island. More important for today’s Maldivian is the 800-year-old mosque on the island built by Sultan Mohamed Ibn Abdhulla, who was responsible for converting the country to Islam. This mosque was built using stones from the older Hindu temples. Inside, it is decorated with fine Arabic writings.

Raa Atoll
Raa Atoll is an enormous atoll with more than 90 islands, 65 kilometres long and 28 kilometres wide, in the north of the Maldives chain of atolls. A population of about 12,500 inhabits only 16 of the islands. The rest are uninhabited and only one has been designated for development as a tourist resort. The atoll has particularly complex reef formations at its centre. The western and eastern sides of the atoll are adorned with numerous channels with ‘thilas’, in many. These ideal features promise excellent diving in the atoll. The atoll is most famous for its boat building tradition. The capital island Ugoofaaru boasts the largest fishing fleet in the country. Alifushi in the north of the atoll is a centre for boat building and teaching of traditional boat building skills. The new generation of ‘dhonis’ commonly known as ‘second generation vessels’ is produced at the Alifushi boatyard. This new design based on the traditional ‘dhoni’ has become quite popular with the fishermen. At the boatyard several dozen ‘dhonis’ are produced each year. The island of Rasgetheemu has a special place in local legend. According to legend Rasgetheemu is where a princess and her consort, exiled from the present day Sri Lanka, are said to have landed centuries before the advent of Islam. With exciting fishing villages to visit and such a large number of desert islands, holidaymakers on the single resort in Raa Atoll will certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to excursions and island hopping.

Dhaalu Atoll
Dhaalu Atoll, also known as South Nilandhoo Atoll is 150 kilometres from Male’ and measures 38 kilometres in length and 23 kilometres in width. With about 46 islands in all, eight are inhabited. The atoll was recently opened up for tourism and the two islands designated for the purpose started operations towards the end of 1998. Although diving in the atoll began only recently, it is already known that the atoll offers excellent dive sites. The resorts are located in the northeast corner of the atoll, which many believe has the best potential for diving. Something special about the atoll, which has already been found, is the number of turtles seen during dives anywhere in the atoll. There are two known wrecks near the island of Kudahuvadhoo; the ‘Liffey’, wrecked in 1879 and ‘Utheemu 1’, which ran aground in 1960. By seaplane it is a short 35 minutes from the airport. A more leisurely cruise on a speedboat would get you to the atoll in three hours. The atoll has a small population of 3,500. The capital island of the atoll is Kudahuvadhoo at the southern tip of the atoll. The island of Ribudhoo is the home of the finest jewellers in the country. Legend has it that it all began hundreds of years ago when the Sultan banished his chief jeweller to this island for stealing some of his gold. The fishing village of Meedhoo is the closest to the resort islands, situated almost in between the two just a 15-minute boat ride away. The main occupation of the people of Meedhoo is fishing.