The Chart ·
The country is written in rings — twenty-six natural atolls, kept in twenty administrative registers. These are the ones we return to: each holds the houses we represent, the islands we operate, and the notes that place them.
A wide rectangular atoll famed for big-fish diving — Christmas Tree Rock, manta cleaning stations, and exclusive resorts at Velaa and Soneva Jani.
Vertical western chain of islands and one of the biggest fishing communities. Boat-building heritage on Alifushi and the country's top tuna fleet.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Hanifaru Bay is one of the world's largest manta ray feeding sites — hundreds gather during southwest monsoon.
Compact, well-formed ring atoll. Home to Kuredu and Komandoo resorts, and the Olive Ridley Project's sea turtle rescue centre on Hurawalhi.
The capital atoll. Malé itself is one of the world's most densely populated cities. Velana International airport, plus over fifty resorts within an hour of the city.
Northern Ari is famed for daily whale shark and manta ray encounters — Rasdhoo Madivaru and Ukulhas reef stand out for divers.
Southern Ari has some of the country's largest house reefs. Mahibadhoo is the regional hub; resorts here include Conrad and Vakarufalhi.
Smallest population of any Maldivian atoll. Alimathaa channel diving for nurse sharks and Fotteyo Kandu — a top advanced dive site.
Quiet diving atoll east of Faafu. Mulah and Muli are the inhabited centres; popular for liveaboards crossing to southern atolls.
Kudahuvadhoo's ancient mound (hawitta) hints at pre-Islamic Buddhist settlement. Velavaru and Niyama bookend the resort offerings.
A large, near-circular atoll. Strong tuna and reef-fish fishery; Veymandoo and Thimarafushi are the population centres.
Long causeway linking four inhabited islands — Fonadhoo, Maandhoo, Kadhdhoo, Gan. Yin Yang and Ying are world-class surf breaks.
Northern half of Huvadhu — one of the world's largest natural atolls. Viligili and Kondey are home to ancient hawitta archaeological mounds.
Southern half of Huvadhu. Thinadhoo is the southern political capital. Beru Atholhu liveaboard waters; the United Suvadive Republic era (1959–63).
A single-island atoll — the only one of its kind. Freshwater lakes Bandaara Kilhi & Dhadimagi Kilhi, tiger sharks year-round, and unique mango varieties.