Maldives Atolls

North Malé Atoll surrounds the capital and Velana International Airport, making it the most-accessible region in the Maldives, with most resorts a 15-45 minute speedboat away. Home to the legendary Rannamaari shipwreck, Sultans surf break and many of the country's heritage resorts.

South Malé Atoll is reached by a quick speedboat from Velana, known for its expansive lagoons, fewer crowds than its northern neighbour and a strong concentration of luxury all-inclusive resorts.

Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and home to Hanifaru Bay, the world's most reliable manta ray feeding aggregation site (May to November). Nine inhabited islands, multiple resort islands and pristine reefs throughout.

North Ari Atoll is celebrated by divers: submerged pinnacle sites, channel drift dives and the famous Maaya Thila night dive. Sandbank-rich resorts like Veligandu and Kuramathi make it equally popular with honeymooners and families.

South Ari Atoll is one of the world's most reliable spots for whale shark sightings, and a designated marine protected area for the species. Resorts here run scheduled snorkel excursions to South Ari's whale-shark zone year-round.

Kaafu Atoll is the broader administrative atoll containing North & South Malé and many more resort islands. JW Marriott Kaafu sits here, offering iconic overwater villas a short seaplane from Velana.

Vaavu Atoll is one of the world's best drift-dive zones: Miyaru Kandu and Fotteyo Kandu pull sharks, eagle rays and schooling fish through their channels. Quiet topside, intense underwater.

Alif Dhaal Atoll's most famous address is Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, the two-island resort connected by a 500-metre footbridge, home to Ithaa, the world's first all-glass underwater restaurant.

Raa Atoll is a 45-minute scenic seaplane journey from Malé, a mostly uninhabited chain of islands hosting some of nature's most spectacular wonders. Spectacular reefs, manta and turtle hot-spots and a strong slate of design-forward resorts.

Noonu Atoll is home to some of the most exclusive private-island resorts in the country, Velaa Private Island and Cheval Blanc Randheli among them. Quiet, photogenic and increasingly the chosen address for ultra-luxury escapes.

Lhaviyani Atoll is home to Hurawalhi's 5.8 (the world's largest all-glass underwater restaurant) and Cocoon Maldives' Italian-design vibrant lagoons. A quieter, mid-luxury cluster known for excellent house reefs.

Shaviyani Atoll has some of the largest turquoise lagoons in the Maldives, and Sirru Fen Fushi's underwater Coralarium sculpture installation. A more remote pick (65-min seaplane) for travellers who want quiet.

Haa Alifu is the northernmost atoll (the longest seaplane ride from Velana) and home to sprawling private-island resorts like Hideaway Beach with Maldivian-largest overwater villas.

Dhaalu Atoll is home to some of the Maldives' best-known design resorts: Niyama Private Islands (Subsix underwater club), St. Regis Vommuli and Baglioni Maldives.

Gaafu Alifu Atoll is in the deep south. Park Hyatt Hadahaa sits on a circular island fully ringed by a vibrant house reef, considered one of the country's best.

Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is one of the southernmost atolls, home to Ayada Maldives with its Ottoman-influenced architecture and renowned dining.

Addu Atoll is the southernmost atoll, and the only one where islands are linked by causeways. Roads, wetlands, inland lakes and a unique southern identity make it unlike anywhere else in the Maldives.

Laamu Atoll is unique. Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the entire atoll, on a private island. Surfers know it for the Yin Yang break; conservationists for its sustainability work.