Maldives Islands

Speaking of the Maldives , it should be noted that this state is located on coral islands. Here there are cities and resorts , local people live and work, tourists rest. We suggest you learn about what islands are in the Maldives and what they are interesting.

How many islands in the Maldives?

On the world map there are 1192 islands of the Maldives, and not all are populated. Each of the islands belongs to one of the 21 island groups - these are the so-called atolls. They are the main administrative-territorial unit of the state. Let's consider each atoll separately.

List of islands in the Maldives

So, it's time to go to the most heavenly place on the planet:

  1. Male is the name of the main island of the Maldives. It has the largest population density (on the 4.39 square km there are as many as 103 693 people!). The name "Male" is also the capital of the Maldives itself - the largest settlement on the archipelago. In addition to residential areas, here is the largest airport in the country (on the island Hulule). It is in Male most of all tourist attractions , entertainment complexes, souvenir and other shops. The composition of Male Atoll in the Maldives includes the artificial island of Hulumale, inhabited relatively recently, in 2004.
  2. Haa-Alif (or Haa-Alifu) has the official name of North Tiladunmati, or Tiladunmati Uthuriburi. It occupies the third place in the list of Maldivian atolls by population and by area. It consists of 43 islands (14 - inhabited), which are located in the very north of the archipelago. For tourists, the resorts of the Haa Alif Atoll were opened only in 2005. The most popular islands for recreation are Donaculi, Alidu, Utim. On the atoll you can visit a mosque built in the XVIII century and an ancient mausoleum of Maldivian kings.
  3. Haa-Dhaalu - on 16 inhabited islands of the atoll live about 16 thousand people. On Khanimadu island there is a small regional airport, and on Faridu - ancient Buddhist ruins.
  4. Shaviyani (or Shaviyani) - these are pristine beaches and a rich underwater world. Atoll includes 51 islands with a capital on Funadou. Most of the islands are small in size. Among the unusual places are the mangrove swamps of the island of Marosha. Today, the atoll of Shaviyani in the Maldives offers only 3 hotels (Vagaru Island, Doliyada and the Team), however the tourist infrastructure is actively expanding.
  5. Nunu (or Noon) with its capital on the island of Manadu has 13 residential islands out of a total of 70. This atoll is famous not only for luxury hotels, but also for an excellent romantic getaway: those who wish can rent a dhoni boat and get to any of the uninhabited islands of this Maldivian atoll to feel what a holiday is far from civilization. All the attractions of the atoll Nunu are under water - a variety of dive sites. It is also convenient that each local resort has its own dive center.
  6. Raa (also Northern Maalosmadulu) is one of the most frequented by foreign tourists. 88 islands of the atoll, of which 15 are inhabited, are located 140 km from the capital of the country. The capital of Raa - the island of Ungofaru - is famous as the center of traditional transport of the Maldives - dhoni boats. The most popular islands of the Raa atoll in the Maldives are Midhupparu, Rasshetimu, Candoludha, Rasmadu.
  7. Baa (Goidhu Atoll or South Malmodulu). The islands of this atoll are considered the most beautiful in the Maldives. Its virgin forests, along with snow-white beaches, remind tourists of a tropical paradise. Moreover, atoll Baa in the Maldives since 2001 is considered a biosphere reserve. Of its 75 islands, only 13 are inhabited, and luxury resort hotels are concentrated on them. On the islands of Eidafushi and Tuladhu, you can buy great souvenirs - they are sent here even from Male. Vacationers rest on the islands of Horubadhu, Funimagudhu, Dhunikolu, Kihaduffar.
  8. Laviyani ( Lavyani or Faadhippolu) is famous for its popular dive sites. It has only 5 inhabited islands, among which the leader in attendance Kuredu - in the Maldives it is the most famous resort - and no less popular Maafushi , the best budget island of the country. In general, the atoll Laviyani is a romantic place with a lot of options for water entertainment. His islands are the best in the Maldives for a beach holiday. In addition to diving , it is snorkeling, wind surfing, fishing, sailing on yachts and a sea canoe, walking along the sand spit at dusk.
  9. Kaafu is the center of the Maldives Republic. Its resorts are convenient because they are closest to the only airport in the country. The capital of Kaafu in the Maldives is the island of Tulusdu . On the atoll there are many hotels with home reefs, hotels for honeymooning, "family" hotels and, of course, all-inclusive restaurants. Here is also Tilafushi - the only garbage island in the Maldives, created as a dump, and popular among tourists are the islands of Hulhumale , Huraa, Diffusi and Bandos.
  10. Alif-Alif , or Ari-the permanent population has 8 islands of the atoll. Among tourists this place in the Maldives is more than popular: the paradise islands of Toddu , Ukulhas , Rasdu , Kuramathi - the most popular among those who want to relax near the warm sea.
  11. Alif-Dhaal welcomes visitors with historical sights - you can visit a beautiful wooden mosque and Buddhist stupa. In addition, the guests of the island are waiting for several hotels, mini-hotels and a unique underwater restaurant, located at a depth of 5 m - it was the first in the world of its kind.
  12. Vaavu (also Felida) is an atoll with a population of only 2,300 people living on five islands. They are considered the best for diving in the Maldives, and the most interesting of the dive sites is the Fiteyo reef .
  13. Mimu ( Mehma ) began to receive foreign tourists not so long ago. There are only 2 hotels, but they are truly luxurious resorts. Among the guests are popular trips to the beaches of the uninhabited part of the atoll for a romantic holiday in the bosom of a virgin nature. Of the attractions should be noted mosque on the island of Kolufushi, where the ancient artifact is stored - the sword of Sultan Mohammed Takurufaan.
  14. Faafu (atoll of Nilande). Of 23 islands there is only one resort - Filiteiko. Its villas are designed in an eco-style with a touch of luxury, and at the same time are equipped to the highest standards. On the island you can see an ancient cemetery where you will be shown the grave of a local wizard. And on the atoll of Faaf, the famous traveler Thor Heyerdahl once conducted research: it was here that he found the oldest evidence that in pre-Islamic times in the Maldives Buddhism was practiced.
  15. Dhaalu (or Da'ala) gives tourists a romantic atmosphere, privacy and communication with the wild. He was even nicknamed "island of turtles" - these animals lay eggs here, and tourists with pleasure admire the newborn turtle. Of the 56 picturesque islands, only 7 are inhabited, and tourism business is given 2. The capital of the atoll is the city of Kudahuwa. For the magnificent jewelery of local masters, tourists go to the islands of Rinbudu and Hulundeli.
  16. Thaa (Kolumadulu) with the capital of Weimandu consists of 66 islands. People inhabit 13 of them. All the attractions of the atoll of Thaa are a pristine nature: most of the islands are in the state in which they were created by nature, and this is their main value.
  17. Laam has as many as 82 islands, but only 12 inhabitants. They have conditions not only for diving, but also for surfing. Like the islands of the atoll of Laam and those who like snorkeling - here there are shallow lagoons. Interesting in this area and archaeological sites - the ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas.
  18. Gaafu-Alif (Gaafu-Alifu) will please only a few hotels, but only the most luxurious. But there are many excellent places for diving, where you can meet octopuses, mantles and huge luminous jellyfish. Atoll is considered one of the natural reserves of the Maldives. Travelers are attracted here the privacy of these places and especially the island in the form of a heart, the only one in the Maldives.
  19. Gaafu-Dhaalu has a permanent population, which is located on 9 islands. The first resort here was built in 2006 on the island of Vatavarrehaa - it was a chic hotel designed for 150 people. He fell in love with lovers of secluded rest. And today on the island of Fiyoari come numerous surfers.
  20. Gnaviyani is a special atoll. Inside it there is no lagoon - it is completely filled with corals, forming one big island. On its fertile soil grow mango, banana, papaya. Noteworthy on the island of Fukvmulah are Reding Hill and Keder Mosque.
  21. Addu (Cine) is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives archipelago, it is the highest (2.4 m above sea level). Here is Gan, the second most important airport of the country, built on the island of the same name, the Maldives, the largest in the country. The archipelago has 6 inhabited islands out of a total of 24. The capital of the atoll is Hithadhu, and the island of Willingly enjoys the greatest demand among tourists in the Maldives. Of the natural beauties should be allocated luxurious lush gardens, banana and coconut plantations and the only freshwater lake in the Maldives.