Most of the other resorts
are situated in the North and South Male Atolls; however, there
are also many others, most in the northern island groups.
Alifu (Ari) Atoll
Alifu
(Ari) Atoll lies west of Male, housing 26 resorts including
Kuramathi, a fairly large island with a nice beach offering
a variety of watersport facilities such as excellent diving, water-skiing,
parasailing, windsurfing, night fishing and 3 resorts.
The 121-room Aribeach Resort offers superior and standard
accommodation, with hot and cold fresh water and air conditioning.
An outstanding range of scuba diving and watersport activities are
also provided.
Nika Island is a cosy, upmarket,
25-room resort which is tucked away from-it-all. It offers some
of the most comfortable boats in the country.
Fesdu
is located in the centre of the Alifu (Ari) Atoll rather than within
the boundary. Accommodation available consists of fifty thatched
round-houses, all located near the beachfront.
Angaga
is a small traditional Maldivian style resort, exquisitely built
in Ari Atoll, offering air-conditioned rooms with fresh hot and
cold water.
Additional resorts are Halaveli, Machchafushi, Bathala,
Madoogali Gangehi, Ellaidoo, and Maayaafushi.
Many others are currently being constructed or have recently opened.
Baa Atoll
Baa
Atoll with its 5 resorts is approximately 130 kilometres or
80 miles northwest of Male and it is one of only a few locations
where traditional arts and crafts are still practiced. The atoll’s
coral reefs are in immaculate condition and are popular for the
many mantas and reef sharks visiting during the southwest monsoon
or from May to July. Baa Atoll is different from others in
that it has its own doctor. Travel time is about 30 minutes by helicopter
or seaplane from the airport.
The Coco Palm and Reethi Beach are both 5-star resorts,
each with more than 100 rooms split into 3 categories of well-appointed
villas. 5 restaurants, a fully-equipped gym including tennis and
squash courts are provided.
Sits on Kunfunadhoo Island, the Soneva Fushi Resort
boasts 62 villas, all located along the beachfront on both sides
of the island. It lies 121 kilometres or 75 miles north of Male
airport with a travel time of about 25-30 minutes by Hummingbird
Island Airways. The resort provides 2 major restaurants, both
with indoor and outdoor dining serving international and local cuisine.
The atoll’s other 2 resorts are Royal Island (150 rooms)
and Le Meridien (Kihaadhuffaru) (100 rooms). All have facilities
for plenty of water sports, a health spa and a professional dive
school.
Elsewhere
Lhaviani Atoll is located in the north of North Kaafu
Atoll and is home to the Kuredhdhoo Resort which offers simply
designed 250 bungalows. It is a location for those who love diving.
Just south of South Kaafu Atoll lies the Vaavu Atoll, boasting
some of the very best diving spots in the whole archipelago. Alimatha
with its 70 bungalows is a well-established, long-popular resort,
particularly among Italians.
Most tourism is in the northern island groups; however, Seenu,
the southernmost atoll of the archipelago, located south of the
equator, is well known as the location of a former RAF staging post
in Gan. It offers tourist accommodation at the Ocean Reef Club.
A regular, heavily booked domestic flight operates between Male
and Gan. |
