BROWSE BY ATOLL
Maldives atolls
The Maldives is made up of more than twenty atolls. Those near Malé are usually a speedboat ride away; further north and south you often need a seaplane or domestic flight, but resorts tend to be quieter.
| Atoll | Resorts | Main transfers | Transfer time | Four nights for two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Male Atoll | 39 | Speedboat, Seaplane | 7–75 min | ¥640 – ¥44,400 |
| Ari Atoll | 30 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 15–60 min | ¥3,560 – ¥35,360 |
| South Male Atoll | 23 | Speedboat, Road transfer | 10–45 min | ¥800 – ¥63,998 |
| Baa Atoll | 18 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 25–45 min | ¥10,080 – ¥161,280 |
| Raa Atoll | 18 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 35–45 min | ¥7,998 – ¥46,878 |
| Dhaalu Atoll | 9 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 35–50 min | ¥10,240 – ¥42,718 |
| Lhaviyani Atoll | 9 | Seaplane, Speedboat | 30–45 min | ¥11,200 – ¥68,478 |
| Noonu Atoll | 8 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 35–45 min | ¥15,998 – ¥62,320 |
| Gaafu Alifu Atoll | 7 | Domestic flight + speedboat | 55–90 min | ¥15,038 – ¥41,598 |
| Shaviyani Atoll | 4 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 35–55 min | ¥15,518 – ¥27,838 |
| Vaavu Atoll | 4 | Seaplane, Speedboat | 20–90 min | ¥8,000 – ¥16,800 |
| Meemu Atoll | 3 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 35–40 min | ¥8,638 – ¥24,320 |
| Addu Atoll | 2 | Domestic flight + speedboat | 90–105 min | ¥8,000 – ¥9,040 |
| Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll | 2 | Domestic flight + speedboat | 70–110 min | ¥20,480 – ¥21,280 |
| Haa Alifu Atoll | 2 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 70–70 min | ¥20,000 – ¥20,798 |
| Faafu Atoll | 1 | Seaplane | 35–35 min | ¥11,358 |
| Haa Dhaalu Atoll | 1 | Seaplane | 75–75 min | ¥118,398 |
| Laamu Atoll | 1 | Seaplane, Domestic flight + speedboat | 65–65 min | ¥24,478 |
| Rasdhoo Atoll | 1 | Speedboat, Seaplane | 20–20 min | ¥13,360 |
| Thaa Atoll | 1 | Seaplane | 60–60 min | ¥33,200 |
North Male Atoll39 resortsNorth Malé Atoll is home to Malé’s international airport; most resorts are a short speedboat ride away.
Ari Atoll30 resortsAri Atoll in the west is a favourite for diving and snorkeling; South Ari is known for whale sharks.
South Male Atoll23 resortsSouth Malé Atoll lies just south of Malé; most resorts are reached by speedboat.
Baa Atoll18 resortsBaa Atoll, northwest of Malé, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; Hanifaru Bay draws large gatherings of manta rays in season.
Raa Atoll18 resortsRaa Atoll lies in the north; most resorts are reached by seaplane or domestic flight.
Dhaalu Atoll9 resortsDhaalu Atoll lies in the central Maldives, south of Malé.
Lhaviyani Atoll9 resortsLhaviyani Atoll lies north of Malé; most resorts are reached by seaplane.
Noonu Atoll8 resortsNoonu Atoll in the north is further from Malé and quiet.
Gaafu Alifu Atoll7 resortsGaafu Alifu, near the equator, is part of Huvadhu, one of the world’s largest atolls.
Shaviyani Atoll4 resortsShaviyani Atoll lies in the far north.
Vaavu Atoll4 resortsVaavu Atoll lies southeast of Malé.
Meemu Atoll3 resortsMeemu Atoll lies in the central Maldives, south of Malé.
Addu Atoll2 resortsAddu is the southernmost atoll, with an international airport on Gan.
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll2 resortsGaafu Dhaalu, near the equator, forms the southern part of Huvadhu Atoll.
Haa Alifu Atoll2 resortsHaa Alifu is the northernmost atoll of the Maldives.
Faafu Atoll1 resortsFaafu Atoll lies in the central Maldives, south of Malé.
Haa Dhaalu Atoll1 resortsHaa Dhaalu Atoll in the north is home to Hanimaadhoo airport.
Laamu Atoll1 resortsLaamu Atoll in the south is usually reached by domestic flight to Kadhdhoo, then boat.
Rasdhoo Atoll1 resortsRasdhoo is a small atoll just north of Ari Atoll.
Thaa Atoll1 resortsThaa Atoll lies in the south-central Maldives.