How to choose your atoll and resort

About How to choose your atoll and resort

By the ULTIMATE the Maldives Editorial Team

Site Editor: Tara de la Motte

Every Maldives resort sits on its own island, so the island you choose shapes the whole holiday: how you get there, what lives on the reef and who your fellow guests are. Here is how the atolls compare, and what to ask before you book.

Distance decides the transfer

Visit Maldives sums it up simply: resorts around the airport are reached by speedboat, and resorts further afield by seaplane, while domestic flights serve the dozen domestic and international airports across the country. Your transfer is usually arranged when you book, and some resorts, Conrad Rangali among them, make their seaplane or speedboat transfer compulsory.

As a guide, Baros is 25 minutes from the airport by speedboat and Bandos only 7 km away; Six Senses Kanuhura in Lhaviyani is 40 minutes by seaplane and The Nautilus in Baa about 30; Equator Village in Addu is about 90 minutes by domestic flight. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, which matters if you land late.

The island you choose shapes the whole holiday: the transfer, the reef and your fellow guests.

Near the airport

North and South Malé atolls are the quickest to reach and ideal for a short stay or a late arrival. You will find Baros, Bandos, Gili Lankanfushi, Huvafen Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Patina on the Fari Islands, and CROSSROADS, a cluster of resorts around a marina 15 minutes from the airport.

Baa and Raa

Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Hanifaru Bay is famous for its manta gatherings in the south-west monsoon season. Resorts here include Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Anantara Kihavah, Amilla, Milaidhoo and The Nautilus. Neighbouring Raa has JOALI Maldives, an art-immersive island, the wellbeing island JOALI BEING and the adults-only You & Me.

Ari Atoll

South Ari is whale-shark country, with sightings throughout the year according to Visit Maldives. Conrad Rangali, home of Ithaa and the Muraka, is here, along with protected dive sites such as Kudarah Thila and the coral-stone Friday Mosque of Fenfushi.

Lhaviyani and Noonu

Lhaviyani, north of Malé, is known for quiet reefs and beaches: Hurawalhi with its 5.8 undersea restaurant, the private island Kudadoo and three-island Six Senses Kanuhura. Noonu is the address of Cheval Blanc Randheli, Velaa Private Island and Soneva Jani, with Maafaru International Airport for private jets.

Dhaalu and Laamu

Dhaalu has two very different resorts: Niyama, two islands with a surf break and nine restaurants including Subsix underwater, and lively Kandima, built for a social, active holiday. Further south, Laamu is home to Six Senses Laamu, Gan, which Visit Maldives calls the largest natural island in the country, and a long link road you can drive.

The far south

Addu, the southernmost atoll, has its own international airport at Gan, reef mantas year-round, Royal Air Force history and resorts such as Canareef and Equator Village. Fuvahmulah, a one-island atoll, has no resorts in our guide, but its guesthouses run the tiger-shark dives that bring divers from around the world.

Before you book

Ask what the transfer costs and how long it takes; what the meal plan includes; whether the island is adults-only (Hurawalhi is) or has a kids’ club (The Nautilus and Soneva Jani do); and how good the house reef is for snorkelling. Remember the taxes: Visit Maldives lists a 16% Tourism Goods and Services Tax and a Green Tax of US$6 per person per day at resorts.

Our advice: for a week or less, stay within a speedboat ride of the airport; for mantas, choose Baa in season; for whale sharks, South Ari; and if you can, add a few nights on a local island to see the real Maldives.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with How to choose your atoll and resort before you go.