The back story
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Atoll guide
North Malé Atoll: resorts a speedboat away
The atoll around the airport, where resorts are a speedboat ride away: Baros, Bandos, Gili Lankanfushi, Huvafen Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah and the Fari Islands.
Atoll guide · resorts a speedboat away
North Malé Atoll: Our Favourites
North Malé Atoll in one page: Baros, Bandos, Gili Lankanfushi, Huvafen Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah, Patina and Kaagé’s Maldivian food.
What's onThis week in the Maldives
Show 18 places on a map
What to see and do
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Close to the airport
Bandos dive centre
One of the longest-running dive centres in the Maldives, on Bandos, 7 km from the airport, with the country’s first hyperbaric chamber.
Bandos Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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A room open to the sky
James Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta
A minimalist Skyspace by American light artist James Turrell at Patina Maldives on the Fari Islands.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Where to eat
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Ocean views, Japanese precision
TAPASAKE
One&Only Reethi Rah’s Japanese restaurant, with Mediterranean influences and wide views over the Indian Ocean.
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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The white sail over the lagoon
The Lighthouse Restaurant
Baros’s overwater restaurant beneath a towering white sail, serving local seafood, steaks and degustation menus with a sommelier on hand.
Baros Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Japanese, between jungle and ocean
By the Sea, Gili Lankanfushi
Gili Lankanfushi’s Japanese fine-dining restaurant, wrapped in tropical jungle with sweeping ocean views.
Gili Lankanfushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Island recipes, modern technique
Kaagé
VARU by Atmosphere’s Maldivian restaurant, set in a traditional-style house with two courtyards, where tuna, coconut and chilli meet modern technique.
VARU by Atmosphere, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Kerala-inspired curries on the lagoon
Baraabaru, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
A lagoon-top Indian restaurant inspired by Kerala’s architecture, with curries, tandoor dishes and fresh seafood.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Where to stay
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Private island, by speedboat
Gili Lankanfushi
A private island of overwater villas a short speedboat ride from the airport, with an underground wine cellar and an organic garden.
Gili Lankanfushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Welcoming guests since 1973
Baros Maldives
One of the first resorts in the Maldives, welcoming guests since 1973, 25 minutes from the airport by speedboat.
Baros Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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7 km from the airport
Bandos Maldives
A 220-room island resort 7 km from the airport, with the Maldives’ first hyperbaric chamber and a long-running dive centre.
Bandos Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Twelve secret beaches
One&Only Reethi Rah
A private island resort in North Malé Atoll with beach and water villas, residences and 12 secret beaches to cycle between.
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Easy island living
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
A Four Seasons island in North Malé Atoll, with a lagoon-top Indian restaurant and ŪRJĀ, a naturopathy island.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Art, gardens and a James Turrell Skyspace
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
A design-led resort on a 42-hectare island in the Fari Islands, with an island garden and James Turrell’s Skyspace Amarta.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Health
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The world’s first underwater spa
Underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi’s underwater spa, which the resort calls the world’s first, with a glass view of reef fish and stingrays.
Huvafen Fushi, North Malé Atoll, P.O. Box 2017, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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An island for naturopathy
ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island, Kuda Huraa
A naturopathy retreat on its own island at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, based on self-healing and root-cause care.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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The country’s first
Bandos hyperbaric chamber
The hyperbaric and decompression chamber on Bandos, 7 km from the airport, the first in the Maldives.
Bandos Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Bars and nightlife
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Sunset cocktails on stilts
Overwater Bar, Gili Lankanfushi
A bar on stilts above the lagoon, the resort’s sunset spot, which becomes the Lava Grill after dark.
Gili Lankanfushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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Sundowners under the sail
The Lighthouse Lounge, Baros
The deck beneath The Lighthouse’s canvas roof at Baros, for sunset cocktails, wine and canapés to a live band.
Baros Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
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A favourite with repeat guests
UMBAR, Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi’s beach bar, for handcrafted cocktails on a pearl-white beach.
Huvafen Fushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Questions and answers
How do you get to North Malé Atoll resorts?
By speedboat from Velana International Airport. Baros, for example, is 25 minutes away and Bandos 7 km.
Is North Malé Atoll good for a short stay?
Yes. With no seaplane to catch, it is the easiest choice for a short trip.
Share your North Malé Atoll tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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