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Hanifaru, Baa
Float above feeding manta rays in this small protected bay on Baa's eastern flank, where plankton gathers during the south-west monsoon. It is snorkel-only: scuba diving is no longer permitted. Visit Maldives suggests June to early October; the protected-areas portal lists a MVR 310 per-person fee for resort visitors. The nearest airport is Dharavandhoo (DRV).
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Dhigurah, South Ari
Whale sharks can be seen in SAMPA throughout the year, according to the government protected-areas portal. Local islands including Dhigurah, Dhidhdhoo, Maamigili and Dhangethi are bases for trips. Touching protected species and anchoring are banned. The FCDO notes fatal boat-propeller accidents here and that propeller-guard rules are not yet fully enforced, so follow your guide's safety briefing.
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North Ari
A protected dive site, Fish Head is a large isolated reef with a plateau at about 10–15 m and steep walls dropping to the sandy floor at 40–50 m. Grey reef sharks are normally seen at the up-current end. It is not bookable online through the portal; go with a licensed dive centre or liveaboard.
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Thoddoo, North Ari
Thoddoo is a local island known for its farms and greenery, and Visit Maldives suggests it for travellers who want to walk through farmland rather than stay in a resort. Book a guesthouse before you travel, as on-arrival rooms may not be available, and dress modestly away from the island's designated tourist beach.
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Malé, Kaafu
Built in 1658 from interlocking carved coral blocks, with a minaret added in 1675, the Hukuru Miskiy is one of Malé's oldest buildings. A 17th-century graveyard with carved tombstones surrounds it. It is part of the UNESCO tentative-list entry 'Coral Stone Mosques of Maldives'. Cover shoulders, arms and legs when visiting.
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Malé, Kaafu
The National Museum, first opened in 1952 and reopened in a new building in 2010, displays artefacts from the pre-Islamic to the Islamic period, royal dress and Maldivian craftwork. Next door, Sultan Park stands on the former site of the royal palaces and makes a shady break in the city.
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Malé, Kaafu
On Malé's waterfront, the city's oldest fish market is where you can watch fishers, butchers and customers at work. Malé is reached from the airport by ferry or across the bridge. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and upper legs, as anywhere outside resorts.
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Thulusdhoo, Kaafu
North Malé Atoll's breaks are close to the international airport. Breaks on the eastern rim include Cokes at Thulusdhoo. Visit Maldives gives the season as mid-February to November, peaking from March to May and from September to the end of November.
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Kaashidhoo, Kaafu
Kaashidhoo, a farming island about 86 km north of Malé, holds the ruins of a pre-Islamic Buddhist monastery. Excavations in 1996–98 revealed more than sixty coral-stone structures, of which mostly the lower parts survive. Ferries link Kaashidhoo with Malé; ask your guesthouse about current schedules.
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Utheemu, Haa Alifu
This wooden palace in the far north is the birthplace and home of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, who led the fight against Portuguese rule in the 16th century and ruled until 1585. Now a museum, it keeps old wooden interiors, coconut-oil lamps, carvings and swing beds. Nearby is the old Kandhuvalu Mosque.
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Baarah, Haa Alifu
On Baarah's eastern side, ten patches of mangrove and wetland cover about 39 hectares, with six mangrove types. Tradition holds that Mohamed Thakurufaanu hid his boat here from the Portuguese in the 1570s. The area is a protected nursery for young turtles, rays and sharks; visits are not bookable online, so contact the protected-areas office first.
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Lhaviyani
Two coral-covered wrecks lie in a channel in Lhaviyani: one sits upright with its bow above the surface, the other lies on its side at about 30 m. Currents feed heavy coral growth, schools of fish, morays, nurse sharks and grey reef sharks. Dive trips are arranged by resorts and guesthouses in the atoll.
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Keyodhoo, Vaavu
Vaavu is known for its uninhabited islands and fishing. Snorkel the half-submerged wreck in the lagoon off Keyodhoo, join a sunset fishing trip, or catch traditional boduberu drumming on Felidhoo, the atoll capital. Trips are arranged through guesthouses, resorts and liveaboards.
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Isdhoo, Laamu
Built in 1701, this small coral-stone mosque is still in use and keeps carved wooden doors, lacquer calligraphy, an old well and a cemetery. The Isdhoo Loamaafaanu, a copper-plate book from AD 1194 and the oldest written record found in the Maldives, was discovered here. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs.
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Gan, Laamu
This freshwater pond on Gan in Laamu is ringed by red mangroves and box-fruit trees, giving the water a red-orange tint. Locals call it the Fairy Pond or Hell Pond and tell many folk tales about it; they measured its depth at around 28–30 m. It sits within a protected area on the island.
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Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah, a one-island atoll near the equator, is known for shark dives: Visit Maldives says tiger sharks are seen at the 'Tiger Zoo' site on every dive, and thresher and hammerhead sharks also occur. Local dive schools cater for different levels. Daily flights from Malé take about 1 hour 30 minutes; ferries link to Addu.
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Fuvahmulah
At Fuvahmulah's northern tip, Thoondu is a protected beach of small shiny pebbles and the country's only beach break, surfed mainly from June to August. Inland, the freshwater Bandaara Kilhi and Dhadimagi Kilhi wetlands are home to moorhens and herons; the nature park at Dhadimagi Kilhi rents bicycles, canoes and pedal boats.
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Hithadhoo, Addu
On Hithadhoo, the park covers the Eydhigali Kilhi wetland, where herons and egrets are seen year-round, and the Koattey reef for snorkelling. Cycle the trails, canoe among the red mangroves of Bedhi or join a guided tour. Visit Maldives lists entry at US$7 for foreigners; it opens daily, with shorter hours on Fridays and Sundays.
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Addu
This 140 m Second World War-era ship rests on its starboard side at about 33 m between Hithadhoo and Maradhoo, covered in hard and soft corals. Two large holes allow divers to look inside, and jacks and turtles gather around it. It is a protected site; book through an Addu dive centre.
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Gadhdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu
Gadhdhoo in the far south is known for thundu kunaa, traditional handwoven mats. Visit Maldives recommends watching the weaving and buying a handmade mat as a souvenir. Ask a guesthouse in the atoll to arrange a visit.
