Maldives, where sands are white as the smiles of the locals, where fish swim happily in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, where the weather is a dream, and the deep rays of the sun wait to engulf you their arms. In ancient times, the shores of the Maldives welcomed lost travellers. Still welcoming, these shores remain, providing a tranquil haven for visitors.

Maldives is formed as one of the most complex and vibrant atoll structures found anywhere on the planet. The 26 natural atolls are categorised into 20 atolls for administrative purposes.

The 20 administrative atolls have distinct names and features that makes each one of them extraordinary. Now it is possible to explore all the atolls of the Maldives by staying in resorts, hotels, guest houses and traversing across the ocean in liveaboards.

The following are the names of the 20 administrative atolls starting from the northernmost atoll and ending with the southernmost atoll of the Maldives.

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  • Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi (Haa Alifu Atoll)
  • Thiladhunmathi Dhekunuburi (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)
  • Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (Shaviyani Atoll)
  • Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (Noonu Atoll)
  • Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (Raa Atoll)
  • Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (Baa Atoll)
  • Faadhippolhu (Lhaviyani Atoll)
  • Male’ Atholhu (Kaafu Atoll)
  • Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi (Alifu Alifu Atoll)
  • Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll)
  • Felidhe Atholhu (Vaavu Atoll)
  • Mulaku Atholhu (Meemu Atoll)
  • Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi (Faafu Atoll)
  • Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi (Dhaalu Atoll)
  • Kolhumadulu (Thaa Atoll)
  • Hahdhunmathi (Laamu Atoll)
  • Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi (Gaafu Alifu Atoll)
  • Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)
  • Fuvahmulah (Gnaviyani Atoll)
  • Addu Atholhu (Seenu Atoll)
Surfing
Strategically located amid the Indian Ocean, receiving complete exposure to southern swells, favorable weather conditions and great quality of waves, the Maldives has become popular among surfers all around the world. The pristine crystal clear waters and long point breaks along with hollow reefs makes the Maldives ideal for the best surfing experiences.
Diving
Housing more than 700 species of marine life and 70 different species of coral reefs around the mesmerizing atolls, the Maldives is well known for attracting lots of diving enthusiasts. And with diving facilities available at most of the resorts and city hotels and almost all Liveaboards, the Maldives has become one of the best diving destinations in the world.
Geography
The Maldives has a double chain of 26 atolls along the north south direction spread over 90,000 square kilometers making the country one of the world’s most dispersed countries. Chosen as one of the top destinations to travel, the Maldives is a country with 1,192 coral islands and about 100 of them developed as tourist resorts.
Climate
Located on the equator, the Maldives has two monsoons, a moist, rainy monsoon, between May and October, and a dry, sunny monsoon. The tropical climate with warm temperatures varies between 24 °C and 33 °C year round. Strong weather is rare while the ever-present sun and breezy nights provide favorable weather conditions throughout the year.