Visiting the Maldives has long been your dream trip, and now that the time has come to make it a reality, you want to choose the best island in Maldives or the most suitable island for your vacation in paradise.
I take you on a tour of the best islands in Maldives with resort (according to my criteria), my favorite local islands and the best islands in each atoll.
Resorts: the best islands in Maldives
I share some of the resort islands that have surprised me the most for their beauty, beaches and marine life. They are all different but each one has its own charm. In addition, the hotels are spectacular.
- The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
- Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
- One & Only Reethi Rah
- Soneva Jani
- W Maldives
- Finolhu Baa Atoll
- Six Senses Laamu
- Kuramathi Island Resort
- HOW Cocoa Island
- LUX* South Ari Atoll
- Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa
- Filitheyo Island Resort
Don't miss my article for finding the perfect accommodation in the Maldives.
Local Islands: the best islands of Maldives
I take you on a tour of the local islands that I have liked the most during my 3 years living in the Maldives and recommend a hotel on each of these local islands. My travel guide to Maldiveswill help you save money and time. And my article on cheap hotels in Maldives.
Maafushi: the local backpacker's island in Maldives
Maafushi is the most famous local island for travelers and the first one that took the plunge to open up to tourism. There are quite a few lodging options, my favorite hotels are Arena Beach Hotel, and several of Kaani's hotels, such as Kaani Grand Seview Hotel.
There are plenty of restaurants with both typical and international food, you can do all kinds of water activities, excursions, snorkeling, diving ... as if you were in a resort but without luxuries :). There are also bikini beach and the truth is that it is always quite crowded. Maafushi Island can be reached by ferry from Malé.
As a curious fact, this island is home to the most important prison in the country... but don't worry, it's all ok!
Fuvahmulah: the island of sharks
This island is the third largest in the country, the longest, the closest to the equator and the island with the largest amount of fresh water.
Fuvahmulah is paradise if you want to see sharks as a large community of whitetip and gray reef sharks live in its waters.
To get to Fuvahmulah you must take a domestic flight and my perfect hotel is Ataraxis Grand & Spa.
Dhigurah: one of the best islands in the Maldives
Dhigurah is the beautiful island of Maldives. It has crystal clear beaches and there are many manta rays and whale sharks in the area. It has a beautiful bikini beach not very crowded. It also has something very special, the tongue of sand where two islands meet. I recommend the hotel TME Retreat Dhigurah
You can reach the island by ferry from Malé or domestic flight.
Dhiffushi Maldives: a local island with charm and little tourism
Another very quiet local island that you can reach by ferry from Malé. In Dhiffushi you can enjoy crystal clear beaches and the best snorkeling. They have bikini beach. If you choose this local island in the Maldives, I recommend the hotel Heron Beach, right in front of the beach so it's the first thing you see when you wake up :).
Gulhi
Gulhi is a local island very close to the island of Maafushi and extremely quiet, perfect if you want to disconnect and be in relax mode all day. Gulhi island can be reached by ferry from Malé. My favorite hotel in Gulhi is Ayala Ocean View.
Fulidhoo island Maldives
Fulidhoo is a small local island in the Vaavu Atoll, known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and the authentic charm of Maldivian life. Here, time seems to stand still as you enjoy snorkeling, diving and the warmth of its community. I recommend the hotel Kinan Retreat.
The atolls of the Maldives
The Maldives islands are made up of 1200 islands of which only about 200 are inhabited. All these islands are grouped into 26 different atolls. Normally the islands of each atoll form a ring and are on the same coral reef.
Most popular atolls in Maldives
Here is a list of all the atolls in order of proximity to Malé.
1 - Kaafu Atoll (two zones - North and South Malé)
This is the atoll with the most resorts, about 50. It is the closest atoll to the airport and therefore the one with the best access to reach the resorts quickly by speedboat. It is made up of 82 islands.
South Malé Atoll
It consists of 30 islands of which 17 are private islands with resorts and 3 are islands with local life.
It is an atoll with very nice beaches and very good area for those looking to dive in Maldives. There is also a sunken ship, the Kuda Giri Rek.
The local island Maafushi, also called the backpacker island is on this atoll.
Hotels in the South Malé Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, Taj Exoticca Resort & Spa
- Lodging Average price: Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, Adaaran Hudhuranfushi Maldives
- Economic lodging: Fihalhohi Maldives
- Cheap accommodation on local island (Maafushi): Kaani Grand Seaview, Arena Beach hotel
North Malé Atoll
It is the most touristic atoll and one of the most sought after atolls in the Maldives. This atoll consists of 27 private islands with resorts and 8 are dedicated to fishing and some islands with local life.
The island of Malé, the capital of the Maldives is located on this atoll and the airport island as well.
Hotels in the North Malé Atoll
- Luxury lodging: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Kuda Villingili Maldives, Oblu Maldives
- Lodging Average price: Summer Island Maldives Resort, Paradise Island Resort Maldives
- Economic lodging: Bandos Resort
2 - Vaavu Atoll (56km from Malé)
Fulidhoo island maldives is in this atoll.
3 and 4 - North Ari Atoll (65km from Malé) + South Ari Atoll (72km from Malé - south-east)
It is the largest atoll in the country. It has 70 islands of which 28 are resorts, 19 are local islands and the rest are uninhabited islands. It is one of the Maldives atolls with more luxury hotels.
It is the perfect place to dive in Maldives due to its rich marine fauna with manta rays and whale sharks being the protagonists.
Hotels in Ari Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Radisson Blu Resort, Conrad Maldives Rangali
- Lodging Average price: Outrigger Maafushivaru, Hotel diamonds athuruga beach & water villas Maldives
- Economic lodging: Kuramathi
- Cheap accommodation in local island (Rasdhoo): White Coral
5 - Baa Atoll (110km from Malé - northeast)
To reach the hotels in Baa Atoll you can arrive by seaplane or domestic flight. An area with a very diverse marine life recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In addition, a project to preserve biodiversity has been initiated here and is planned to be replicated in all the atolls. Baa Atoll has 18 resorts and Hanifaru Bay (Hanifaru Maldives), the best place to see Mantas.
Hotels in Baa Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Soneva Fushi, Finolhu Baa atoll, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
- Lodging Average price: Reethi Beach Resort
- Economic lodging: Royal Island
6 - Faafu Atoll (120km from Malé - southeast)
This atoll is made up of 23 islands and only 6 with life, including the resorts.
Filitheyo Island Resort is a paradise surrounded by coral.
7 - Lhaviyani Atoll (125km from Malé - north)
In this atoll there are about 62 islands of which 8 are resorts and the remaining majority are islands with no local life. Due to the amount of uninhabited islands in this area, the atoll enjoys an incredible marine and reef life. Very good area for diving and you can also find 2 sunken ships.
Hotels in Lhaviyani Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Kudadoo Maldives Private Island - All inclusive, Milaidhoo Maldives, Atmosphere Kaifushi Maldives - All Inclusive (Atmosphere kanifushi maldives lhaviyani atoll)
- Lodging Average price: Fushifaru Maldives, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa
- Economic lodging: Cocoon Maldives -All inclusive
8 - Meemu Atoll (133km from Malé - south)
In this atoll there are only 2 islands with hotels. With mid-priced resorts there are Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives and luxury hotel the Madifushi Private island.
9 - Raa Atoll (150km from Malé - northwest)
It has 15 inhabited islands, several fishermen's islands and an island where the craftsmen who build the famous Dhoni, the traditional boats of the Maldives, live.
In this atoll is located Vadhoo Island, a very popular place to enjoy the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence that can be witnessed in very few places in the world.
Hotels in Raa Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Emerald Maldives - All inclusive, Dhigali Maldives, Joali Maldives
- Lodging Average price: You & Me Maldives, Kudafushi resort Maldives
- Economic lodging: Furaveri Maldives, The Standard Huruvalhi
10 - Dhaalu Atoll (155km from Malé - southwest)
It has 45 islands of which most are uninhabited islands, there are some spectacular resorts in the middle of paradise and the local island Kudahuwadu, a fantastic place where you can summergirte in the local culture and witness the anyigua Mosque made of coral. It is a very good atoll for diving.
Hotels in Dhaalu Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Niyama Private Island, Baglioni Resort Maldives, St. Regis Vommuli
- Lodging Average price: Sun Syam Vilu Reef, Riu Atoll - All inclusive
- Economic lodging: Angsana Velavru -All inclusive
11 - Noonu Atoll (175km from Malé - north)
12 - Thaa Atoll (210km from Malé - southwest)
Guraidhoo island Maldives, is a local island located in Thaa atoll in which there are several hotels and guest-house such as Lands Lumeire Guraidhoo.
13 - Shaviyani Atoll (220km from Malé - northwest)
14 - Laamu Atoll (260km from Malé - south)
Hotels in Laamu Atoll
- Luxury lodging: Six Senses Laamu
- Economic lodging: Rahaa Resort Maldives
15 - Haa Dhaalu Atoll (280km from Malé - northwest)
16 - Haa Alifu Atoll (300km from Malé - northwest)
17 - North Huvadhu Atoll or Gaafu Alifu Atoll (370km from Malé - south)
18 - South Huvadhu Atoll (420km from Malé - south)
19 - Gnaviyani Atoll (500km from Malé - south)
20 - Addu Atoll (550km from Malé - south)
21 - Rasdhoo Atoll (Rasdhoo Maldives)
On this atoll is the famous resort Kuramathi Maldives with average prices and cheap accommodation on local island such as the Summer Vibes Beach Front
22 - Goidhoo Atoll
23 - Gaafaru Atoll - no hotels
24 - Makunudhoo Atoll - no hotels
25 - Vaataru Reef - no hotels
26 - Thoddoo & Kaashidhoo Atoll - no hotels
I hope this article will help you to find island for your whether you want to stay in a resort or on a local island.
Enjoy the paradise!
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