Atolls of the Maldives

The northernmost atoll, home to Ihavandhoo and historic Utheemu, birthplace of national hero Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu.

Gateway to the far north via Hanimaadhoo airport, with long untouched beaches and a slower pace of life.

Quiet northern atoll with traditional fishing communities.

Northern atoll known for luxury resorts and unspoilt reefs.

Large atoll famed for boat-building heritage and rich fishing grounds.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home of Hanifaru Bay, the world's largest manta ray feeding aggregation.

Known for shipwreck dives such as the Kuda Giri and a lively local island scene.

The capital's atoll: the capital Malé, the airport, and easy-to-reach local islands famous for surf breaks.

Closest guest-house islands to the airport, including Maafushi — where local island tourism began in 2010.

Hammerhead and manta dives, picture-perfect sandbanks and laid-back local islands.

The year-round whale shark capital of the Maldives, along the South Ari Marine Protected Area.

Sparsely populated atoll with legendary channel dives and nurse-shark-filled lagoons.

Untouched reefs and quiet villages, a short domestic flight from Malé.

A small atoll with just a handful of inhabited islands and peaceful lagoons.

Traditional crafts — lacquerware and jewellery — and beautiful reefs.

Remote atoll with some of the country's best uncrowded surf.

Home to Gan (Laamu), the largest island in the Maldives, and ancient Buddhist ruins.

Part of Huvadhoo, one of the largest natural atolls in the world. Pristine and remote.

Southern half of Huvadhoo with long surf breaks and quiet villages.

A single-island atoll with freshwater lakes, pebble beaches and world-famous tiger shark dives.

The southernmost atoll, with islands linked by causeways, WWII history and the British Loyalty wreck.