When you think of the Maldives, the first thing that comes to mind are the endless stretches of fine white sand , bathed by a blue and crystalline sea … practically a paradise! It is one of those destinations that many aspire to.
All the atolls and islands of the Maldives are wonderful, with their overwater bungalows, coral reefs, palm trees, triumph of vegetation. In all of them you can relax, as well as do various activities such as, for example, snorkeling or diving.
If you want to grasp the most beautiful nuance of each single place, here is a ranking of the 10 most beautiful islands and atolls of the Maldives, on the basis of which you can choose the destination that is closest to your wishes.
Where are the Maldives
The Maldives archipelago is a tropical country located in the Indian Ocean and is part of the Asian continent . It is located 595 km south of India, 550 km north of the Chagos Islands and 670 km southwest of Sri Lanka.
It consists of 26 ring atolls made up of more than 1,000 coral islands , extending in a north-south direction for about 764 km and for 128 km in an east-west direction.
The Republic of Maldives has Male as its capital and the natural atolls are grouped into 19 administrative atolls , each managed independently by a council elected by the population.
SEE ALSO: When to go to the Maldives: climate, best time and months to avoid
1 – Ari Atoll
At about 64 km from Male, the Ari Atoll is one of the most popular places for diving , thanks to its 89 kilometers of coastline and its 50 islands. It is administratively divided into South Ari and North Ari: in the first you can spot the largest fish in the world, the whale shark , especially in the Dhidhdhoo Beyru area and the manta rays at the Manta Reef site. To the north, at Fesdu Wreck is a sunken fishing boat covered in coral, while at Fish Head there are steep coral-filled walls and dotted with caves, where the gray reef shark lives.
- Connections : the nearest airport is Male, the capital. The island can be reached by seaplane which departs from the airport.
- Best time: the climate is beautiful all year round, the high season is between December and March. May to December are the best months in South Ari to spot whale sharks, while in North Ari between December and April it is easier to see hammerhead sharks.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 889.00 per room
2 – Baa Atoll
The district of Baa is about 100 km from Male and consists of two atolls: one administrative South Maalhosmadulu and another smaller one, Goidhoo, which includes only three islands (Goidhoo, Fulhandhoo and Fehendhoo).
The island of Thulhaadhoo is famous in the Maldives for its lacquered ceramics and here you can see their production live.
Baa Atoll has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco , due to its very rich biological diversity. Its most beautiful corner is Hanifaru Bay, populated by manta rays and whale sharks, as well as the inevitable corals.
- Connections : the nearest airport is Male, the capital. The island can be reached by seaplane that leaves from the airport, or by daily flights that land at the Dharavandhoo runway.
- Best time : all year round. Christmas and New Year are ideal, in fact we are in high season. From December to March the climate is exceptional and the prices therefore higher. From June to October it is wetter, but perfect for diving. April / May and October / November are favorable and considered low season.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 829.00 per room
3 – North Male
Atoll The North Male Atoll is located on the eastern side of the Maldives and has at least 50 islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world .
The atoll is famous for surfing and some of the best breaks are Honky’s, for many the most exciting, Jailbreaks, the latter on the island of Gaamaadhoo and Sultan’s for those who love high speed.
Touristically it is one of the most exploited atolls, with houses surrounded by palm trees, for example on the island of Kurumba and the bungalows on stilts, on the island of Furanafushi.
In the western part of the North Male Atoll you can make unforgettable excursions to the coral reef.
- Connections : the closest is Male airport where all international flights land. There is no need for airplanes, as ferries and boats depart from here that take you to your resort in a short time.
- Best time: between December and March and the high season, from May to the end of November are the wettest months but perfect for surfing. For diving from January to April.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 829.00 per room
4 – The island of Maafushi
The island of Maafushi is located in the atoll of South Male , which is made up of 37 islands, 17 of which are well known for the presence of various coral reefs rich in rare and colorful fish.
The island of Maafushi is the best known and most touristic island of the atoll : it is beautiful, cheap, as there are resorts for all budgets, and also suitable for independent travelers, as there are numerous guesthouses.
Obviously, here you can snorkel to enjoy the seabed and fish, with the possibility of spotting manta rays.
- Connections : the closest is Male airport where all international flights land. There is no need for airplanes, as ferries and boats depart from here that take you to your resort in a short time.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. Between December and March is the high season, while for diving there is a high visibility from January to April.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 820.00 per room
5 – Lhaviyani Atoll
Photo by dronepicr. In the Maldives the islands are all heavenly, but in the Lhaviyani Atoll you will find the most beautiful beach , or at least one of the most enchanting: Kanuhura , a huge beach of very fine sand.
Not far away, you can reach the deserted island of Jehunuhura , where you can only imagine what a feeling of freedom and peace one can experience.
Snorkeling and diving are the favorite activities, through which you can admire gray sharks, moray eels, napoleon fish . Famous the island of Kuredu for the giant turtles and Fushifaru Kandu for the sharks.
SEE ALSO: The most beautiful beaches in the world
- Connections : it is about 120 km from Male and can be reached by seaplane.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. Between December and March is the high season, while April / May and October / November are low season. From June to October you can come across some rain, but nothing special. In February and between July / August you may spot manta rays.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 1207.00 per room
6 – Shaviyani
Atoll The Shaviyani Atoll has 16 islands and is located in the northern part of the Maldives. Its particularity is that of being the most authentic atoll , where nature is unspoiled and turtles lay their eggs among its deserted islands . This is because there is no airport and tourism is scarce; even the capital, Milandhoo, was uninhabited until 1997.
Several ancient remains of human civilization are found here, such as the ruins of mosques and tombs from the 18th century.
- Connections : the reference airport is Male and can only be reached by seaplane. It will take about an hour, as it is difficult to reach.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. Between December and March is the high season, while April / May and October / November are low season. From June to October you can encounter some rain, but nothing serious.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 1409.00 per room
7 – Male Island
Photo by Shahee Ilyas. Male is the capital of the Maldives, the most populated and chaotic city . Its fame is linked to mosques and brightly colored buildings. Here you will also find museums such as the National Art Gallery , important buildings and monuments.
Near the port, there is a fish market that sells the result of the day’s catch, while the fruit and vegetable market is very rich in local fruit.
Home to all services, Male is the economic, political and logistical base of the Maldives and, even, due to the lack of space, the international airport (where all international flights land) was built on a nearby island, Hulhule.
- Connections : the reference airport and the International Airport of Male-Ibrahim Nasir located on the island 2 km from Male and with boats (dhoni), which depart every ten minutes, you will arrive in the capital.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. Between December and March and the high season. The rainiest period is from May to December, while the driest months are January, February and March.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 829.00 per room
8 – Nonuu Atoll
Photo of A robustus. In the northern part of the Maldives is the Nonuu Atoll, with some super luxurious resorts and 13 uninhabited islands. This is the most expensive atoll ever ! Just think that here is the most exclusive and expensive resort in the Maldives, the Cheval Blanc Randheli, where Vuitton and Moet stand out among the owners. The structure includes four islands, three of which are truly spectacular artificial islands with all kinds of services. Just a small flaw: it starts from € 4,000 per night!
- Connections : the nearest airport is Male, the capital. The island can be reached by seaplane departing from Male airport, or by ferry.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. At Christmas and New Year and high season, you will find very high prices. The wettest period is from October to December. The low season runs from May to September, the months therefore recommended.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 1441.00 per room
9 – Fafuu Atoll
The capital of the Fafuu atoll is Nilandhoo, one of the largest and most fascinating archaeological sites in the Maldives . Here a buried Hindu temple has been unearthed and the second oldest mosque in the Maldives is located.
In the atoll of are five deserted islands, beautiful beaches and only two resorts . It is obviously possible to snorkel, especially to admire the rich and splendid coral reef, observe manta rays, turtles and dolphins.
- Connections : the closest airport is Male, 120 km away. The island can be reached by seaplane which departs from the airport.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. The rainiest period is from May to December, less January / March, therefore the best months to go to this atoll.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in 3-4 star hotel from € 1224.00 per room
10 – Rasdhoo Atoll Rasdhoo
atoll is located north-east of Ari and consists of three islands : one inhabited that gives its name to the atoll, Rasdhoo, Kuramathi where there are three resorts and Veligandu, where there are is a four star property only.
On the island of Kuramathi tranquility reigns and you will be greeted by green palm trees as well as enchanting exotic flowers, which frame the equally marvelous crystalline sea. Also on the island of Veligandu a small strip of sand awaits you, covered with lush vegetation and coconut trees.
If you are a diving enthusiast, don’t miss the Rasdhoo-Madivaru reef and Kuramathi House Reef .
- Connections : the nearest airport is Male, from here you can take the seaplane or the ferry to reach Rasdhoo.
- Best time : the climate is beautiful all year round. The rainiest period is from May to December, the least from January / April, therefore the best months to go to this atoll.
- Flight + Hotel Offers : Flights to Male from € 569.00 + 1 week in a 3-4 star hotel from € 781.00 per room
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