Islands of Maldives

It is not until one steps into the beautiful Maafushi Island in the Maldives does one know how it feels like to stay in a slice of paradise on earth. Maafushi is one of those local islands of Maldives where people go to rejuvenate their fatigued souls and bask in the tranquillity that envelopes this tourist destination. The sudden change of pace from the hectic hustle of the city to the utter sense of serenity is something that is sure to soothe the anxious nerves and help people relax.

The small island of Fulhadhoo, located in the southern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll and two hours away from the capital city of Male, is relatively uninhabited. It is one of the most stunning islands in the Maldives. The island is everything you would hope to see and experience when booking a trip to Maldives. With less than 250 people residing in a small village on the west side of this island, the place is uninhabited and nothing short of a paradise. 

Located in South Male- Atoll, Biyadhoo has emerged as the premier destination for water sports in the Maldives. An international diving school operating on the island gives high standard PADI courses, And to top it all, you'll find sea turtles, manta rays and friendly reef sharks! Paddleboarding, canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing are also a popular choice. The Biyadhoo Island Resort offer luxurious accommodation options. In the end, you can take the exquisite sand massages and exotic spas offered at Himeyn Spa that de-stress and take away all the holiday exhaustion.

Raa Atoll is one of the famous atolls in the Maldives, housing some of the best resorts and bucket list-worthy sites. One of the islands of Maldives that form a part of this atoll is Vaadhoo Island. This spectacular island may have roughly 500 inhabitants but the natural phenomenon occurring here - known as Sea of Stars - is one that captures the attention of people all around the world and leads them straight to the shores of Vaadhoo which delightfully serves them with one of the most memorable sights.

Alimatha Island is visited by more than a hundred people every month. The views offered by this island almost seems unreal to anyone visiting for the very first time. It is a beautiful island with the surreal views of the ocean, golden-white sand all around, and surrounded by greenery throughout. What makes this island in Maldives even more special is that it offers tons of entertainment through music, bars, windsurfing, ayurvedic massage centres, scuba diving and hiking as well.

Nalaguraidhoo Island is a huge island located in the South Ari Atoll. This island is famous for having the biggest resort in the Maldives, Sun Island Resort on its land. The resort fulfils one’s dream to live in a water bungalow.

One of the world's smallest national capitals, Male, is known for its ancient mosque and colorful buildings. With its beauty and progressiveness being talked about, the island has grown into one of the most visited islands in Maldives today. It is a casual town best for wandering without pre-planned itineraries. With heritage buildings on the one hand and trees and waters with welcoming shades on the other, Male is a must-visit.

A place steeped in rich historical significance, the Utheemu Island in the Haa Alif Atoll is a slice of paradise for the nature lovers and history buffs. With a pleasant climate dominating the island of Maldives for a major portion of the year, it is an ideal place for a vacation for solo and group travellers alike. The natural beauty of Utheemu Island is unmatchable. The serene, scenic beauty and the picturesque sunrises and sunsets, along with the tall trees swaying in the gentle breeze, are absolutely breathtaking. With the waves rhythmically crashing on the white, sandy shores and the peaceful chirp of birds adorning the clear blue sky, the island takes on a mesmerising, ethereal appearance.

The southernmost atoll in the Maldives, Addu Atoll, is a beautiful yet secluded place famous among tourists. Gan Island, in turn, is the southernmost island that forms a part of the Addu Atoll, making it the southernmost island of Maldives. The glorious island is home to many activities ranging from water sports, snorkeling, and diving to local heritage, cultural experiences, and high-end resorts. Gan Island is one of the few places in Maldives that brings forth a perfect fusion of luxury and the island culture it is known for.

28 kilometres north of the coast of Male, Thulusdhoo Island lies in the Kaafu Atoll and is the capital of the same. The island's location makes it ones of the best surf spots in the Indian Ocean, so much so that it is often known as the 'surf island'. The waves that break at Thulusdhoo due to the coral reef which almost surrounds this island of Maldives is the reason why so many people are attracted to this place and travel here from all over the world. Thulusdhoo's surfing, as well as the snorkelling and diving opportunities, is what makes the island a delightful spot through which to enjoy Maldives and all it offers.

Situated at the southernmost tip of the Maldivian archipelago is the largest island of the nation, Fuvahmulah. Perfect for everyone who wishes to explore a paradisiacal place on earth, this island pulls people towards it just as the moon pulls the waves to its direction, and away from the white, sandy shore of the beach. 

Just south of the North Male Atoll and connected to the airport lays a gem of an island called the Hulhumale. The island sprawls across 188 hectares of palm trees and spectacular beaches and is a perfect fusion of urban life with the delights of island life. Hulhumale Island is also a big supporter of green architecture and maintaining the scenic beauty with a strict no littering policy. It is a great place to visit a day before leaving from the Maldives or after arriving.

Located in the beautiful Addu Atoll of Maldives, Maradhoo Island is best described as an authentic Maldivian experience with a mind-blowing diving getaway. A holiday in this southern tip means plunging into Maldives' most serene and untouched parts. With a comparatively smaller population from the islands in the west, Maradhoo is linked with other isles through causeways. It is an easy reach due to a ten-minute drive from Gan International Airport.

Kudahavadhoo Island is the capital island of Dhaalu Atoll. Despite a population of around 3,000, there isn’t much to do on the island but it is best known for its architectural importance due to the presence of mysterious mounds called ‘hawittas’. These mounds are believed to pre-date the Islamic period and are actually ruins of unexcavated Buddhist temples. There are also the preserved remains of an ancient mosque with coral-stone carvings and signs of excellent ancient masonry.

One of the least populated islands in the whole Maldivian nation, Dhigurah Island is located on the Alif Dhaal Atoll. Situated 96 km from Male, the island is best suited for the ones wishing to escape the bustling city crowd. Dhigurah Island is famous for whale shark tours (which can be spotted anytime) and snorkeling trips. The white sandy beaches and lavish resorts at Dhigurah Island form a great combo of comfort and entertainment.

Ukulhas finds itself on the Alif Alif Atoll of the Maldives, a uniquely featured, environmentally friendly, and sparsely populated island. Like a pearl surrounded by coral reefs and blue lagoons, it is 70 km east of Male. One of the best islands when one talks about natural beauty, Ukulhas Island is the very first eco-friendly isle of the island nation. It houses one of the best bikini beaches among the local islands.

Just 35 minutes from Male, Huraa Island is on the Kaafu Atoll of the Maldives. With around 600 people, this island is perfect for those looking for an authentic Maldivian beach holiday. Not as heavily populated with beach resorts and private beaches as other Maldivian islands, Huraa Island allows visitors to mingle with locals and get a taste of traditional Maldivian culture.

Guraidhoo Island in the Kafu Atoll is bliss for those who want to escape the crowd into the serenity of nature. Inhabited only since 1970, the island's colorful houses occupying around 1700 people and coral chunks make it a beautiful place. Walking the sandy streets of the island, one can find a fantastic semi-bikini beach and an adventurous seasonal surf beach. Guraidhoo Island is known for water activities, mainly surfing, followed by turtle and dolphin snorkeling and diving.

Home to a 300-year-old mosque, Isdhoo Island is on the northern tip of Laamu Atoll. Apart from being an epitome of natural beauty, the island also bears historical importance as it houses essential ruins from the Maldivian Buddhist era. Not only has it given shelter to the ancient mosque, which is believed to be built on a site where once existed a temple, but also to the 'Hawitta,' which is an old artificial mound. Images of Buddha, too, have been found on the lands of Isdhoo.

Taking the lead among the five islands of Faafu Atoll, Nilandhoo Island is the capital of the former. The isle remains high in importance for it has Foah'mathi, a historical place, which is believed to have a Buddhist temple beneath it. This beautiful island also shelters the 800-year-old mosque Aasaari Miskiiy, the present-day centre of attraction. Since Nilandho isn't as developed as the other Maldivian islands, it gives a feel of the authentic Maldivian culture.

Having the largest Mangrove vegetation, Landhoo Island finds itself on the Southern Miladhunmadulhu Atoll. It is another island that boasts of being a center of Buddhist History in the Maldives. Landhoo Island blends exciting stories and a bundle of cultural knowledge. It has an ancient mound on its northwest side, "Maabadhige Haitha," as the locals call it.

Located in central Maldives, Mahibadhoo is the capital of Alif Dhaal Atoll. It is one of the country’s smaller islands at 8 hectares and has a population of around 2,000. Despite this, it remains a beautiful island off the beaten path to visit for water sports opportunities like swimming, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, and surfing. Mahibadhoo is also a popular spot in the region as one of the few islands with a bank, SIM card stores, and an ATM that accepts foreign cards.

Dhiffushi Island in Kaafu Atoll is the easternmost inhabited island in the Maldives which is popular for its breathtaking sunrises before the rest of the country. Just 36 kilometres northeast of the capital city Male, the island is just 0.2 kilometres wide with a population of fewer than 1,500 people. Nevertheless, it has a wide variety of water sports activities that make it an ideal destination. From bikini beaches to diving, snorkelling, kayaking and more, Dhiffushi Island is abundant with things to do.

Himmafushi Island in Kaafu Atoll is one of Maldives’ still developing tourist islands. Visiting the island guarantees a glimpse into traditional life in the Maldives. Its principal is lined with souvenirs like carved rosewood, manta rays, dolphins, and coral headstones, while the entire island can be explored on foot in less than an hour. It’s a popular spot for dolphin watching and diving. The famous surfing spot on the island is the Jailbreak, named after its location behind a former prison.

Mather Island is one of the eight inhabited islands in Alif Alif Atoll in the western Maldives. It is famous for its three beaches and water sports opportunities like wakeboarding, diving, snorkeling, and dolphin and manta ray watching. It has a gorgeous reef that’s ideal for fishing as well. Just 84 kilometers from Male, it is connected via ferry, speedboat, and seaplane. The island has three beaches. Stingray Beach, as the name suggests, is home to stingrays and even baby sharks washing up on its shores.

Funadhoo Island is the former capital of Shaviyani Atoll in north Maldives. Its name is derived from the local ‘fun’ flower indigenous to the country. The island is still developing and does not have many modern amenities, but it remains an excellent location for swimming and snorkeling. The pen-shaped island is surrounded by a coral reef, which has dried up in some parts, but the other parts still house beautiful marine life. There are also the ruins of an ancient mosque and tombstones that date back to the 13th century—located 218 kilometers from Male.

Located in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Hanimadhoo is one of the largest islands in the Maldives. Stretching over a length of 7 km, with the broadest part of the land being only 750 meters, the place is surrounded by beaches all along the island's periphery. Hanimadhoo is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Besides the island's scenic beauty, Hanimadhoo also houses around two thousand people and has an international airport.