From space, the North Male Atoll appears incredibly beautiful, often called one of the most stunning atolls on Earth. But what if you don’t view it from space and instead travel to the Maldives for a holiday? What can be said about this island nation and the North Male Atoll? Everyone knows that the Maldives boast perpetual summer, beaches with clean, light sand, and highly Instagrammable landscapes. For useful information about the Maldives, read on.
General Information About North Male Atoll
The Maldives consist of numerous islands, isolated reefs, and 20 natural atolls. The central part of the Maldivian archipelago is occupied by North Male Atoll, which is 69 km long and 40 km wide.
North Male Atoll comprises 50 islands, of which only 8 are inhabited, 27 are resort islands, and 15 are either uninhabited or leased by private individuals.
Key Islands in North Male Atoll:
- Thulusdhoo Island: A commercial hub known for its Coca Cola factory, state warehouse for dried seafood, clothing factory, and traditional boat (dhoni) manufacturing plant.
- Himmafushi Island: Offers great budget accommodation options and attracts tourists with excellent diving and surfing opportunities.
- Kaashidhoo Island: The fifth largest island in the atoll, covering nearly 3 km², known for its extensive coconut plantations and the ruins of a pre-Islamic Buddhist temple.
- Gaafaru Island: A small island with about 1,100 residents, notable for several shipwrecks around its waters.
- Male: The capital island, resembling Manhattan in the Indian Ocean, with all streets converging on three main roads. It has no tall buildings, and bicycles are more common than cars. Attractions include mosques, markets, shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels offering tours around the Maldives.
- Dhiffushi Island: Features a hospital, restaurants, and shops. It was the first island to build modest hotels for foreigners.
- Other Inhabited Islands: Meerufenfushi and Huraa.
Hulhule Island: Houses the only international airport in the Maldives, with a runway surrounded by ocean waters.
North Male Atoll was the first in the Maldives to welcome tourists, gaining popularity since 1972 when the first hotel, Kurumba, with 30 rooms was built. Today, the atoll has nearly 30 resort islands, capable of accommodating thousands of visitors at once.
Beaches of North Male Atoll
As in the rest of the Maldives, North Male Atoll features beautiful beaches – the primary attraction for tourists. These beaches are spacious, sometimes completely encircling islands. Due to their proximity to the capital, there is significant water transport activity, yet the beaches remain pristine. Palm trees grow in compact groups, providing some shade from the sun. The beaches of even the largest resorts are never too crowded, making it easy to find a quiet spot to relax.
Villingili Island: Hosts a public beach, located west of Male, accessible by ferry from the capital. The sandy strip surrounded by palms is popular among locals and visitors wanting to explore beyond their resort.
The beaches of North Male Atoll are equipped with toilets, showers, and changing rooms. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for comfortable relaxation.
Notable Beaches:
- Baros: A small, lush island near the Maldives airport. It has a circular shape, a beautiful beach with a lagoon, and calm waters. The shore and seabed are sandy, without stones or sharp coral fragments. Coral reefs are nearby for snorkeling.
- Meeru: A 1200-meter-long island with palm trees, white sand, and clear water. It offers good snorkeling near the shore and excellent diving further out.
- Per-Aquum Huvafen Fushi: A private island with all the amenities for a beach holiday, including a shallow lagoon on the north side for snorkeling and fishing. The shore and seabed are sandy, with some stones and broken coral.
- Sheraton Maldives: Located near the Maldives airport, with planes flying overhead. The beach is good but marred by a breakwater. The shore and seabed are sandy with many stones. There is a house reef nearby, though it is not ideal for snorkeling.
- Oblu Select: A luxury island resort with an artificial beach. The beach is beautiful but somewhat lifeless, with many coral fragments and stones. Some tourists note that the skyscrapers of Male and the Oblu Xperience hotel obstruct the ocean view.
Underwater World of the Indian Ocean Near North Male Atoll
The Maldives, including North Male Atoll, are perfect for diving and snorkeling. The seabed on the west side of the atoll gradually slopes to a depth of 300 meters, while on the east side it drops to nearly 2000 meters. Visibility in the clear waters reaches up to 50 meters, and the comfortable water temperature allows for extended underwater exploration.
For Beginners: It’s best to swim in the inner waters of the atoll.
For Experienced Divers: Those with a drift-diver certification and certain skills can dive on the outer sides of reefs, in channels with strong currents, to explore stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant coral formations. Channels are home to rays, whitetip sharks, and colorful reef fish.
Top Diving Spots:
- Halaveli Wreck and Maaya Thila Reef
- Embudu Canyon
- Kandooma Thila and Girifushi Thila with unique multicolored coral reefs
- Okebe Thila, resembling a bison’s head with its 80-meter coral settlement
- Nassimo Thila, abundant with marine life
- Guraidhoo Corner Marine Reserve with rock walls and caves
- Embudu Kandu National Reserve
- Kuda Haa Thila with visibility up to 25 meters
- HP Reef’s caves and crevices
- Nassimo Thila’s caves and coral formations
- Banana Reef with diverse marine forms
Wreck Diving: The Maldives offer adventures exploring shipwrecks. Near Gaafaru Atoll, the steamship The Seagull sank in 1879, followed by the ships Erlangen and Lady Christine in 1894. The most interesting wreck is the 110-meter cargo ship Maldive Victory, which sank in 1981 and lies at a depth of 35 meters, covered in colorful corals.
Snorkeling Spots: Good locations for snorkeling include Asdu (south of the resort), Hans Hass and Lion’s Head on the southern edge of the atoll, and Hannes Reef south of the North Male Atoll resorts.
Best Time for Diving and Snorkeling: January to April.
Other Activities for Tourists on North Male Atoll
Beyond diving and snorkeling, North Male Atoll offers various activities such as parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and surfing.
Surfing: Strong winds, which deter regular tourists during the low season, attract surfers. The season runs from February to mid-November, with the best waves from March to May and September to November, reaching heights of up to 2 meters.
Popular Surfing Islands: Donveli and Hudhuranfushi, now also popular are Reethi Rah, Paradise Island, Sheraton Full Moon, and the east side of Thulusdhoo.
Attractions in the Capital of the Maldives
North Male Atoll attracts tourists not only with its beaches and rich underwater world but also with diverse cultural attractions concentrated in the capital, Male. Key historical landmarks include:
- Islamic Center: With a beautiful golden dome, this grand structure can hold up to 5,000 people.
- Mulee Aage Palace: Dating back to 1913.
- National Museum of Male: Showcases items related to Maldivian history and culture.
Additionally, Male has 25 mosques, including the UNESCO-protected “Friday Mosque” built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar in 1656. The mosque is made of coral blocks with intricate carvings and a richly decorated interior.
Best Hotels in North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll’s proximity to the airport means you can reach the hotels in 30-50 minutes. However, this also means you might hear the noise of landing and taking off planes and see cityscapes from your hotel window. Despite this, all hotels are excellent, but it’s advisable to check their location before booking.
Recommended 5-Star Hotels:
- Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives: Romantic beach villas with pools and overwater villas with direct ocean access. The hotel has three restaurants, a bar by the pool, and a wellness spa. Activities include diving and water sports. Prices start at $805 per night. Rating on booking.com: 9.6.
- VARU by Atmosphere: A beachfront hotel offering transfers, bar and restaurant service, pool and fitness club access, and in-room dining. Popular with families. Transfer from/to the airport is charged separately. Prices start at $1150 per night. Rating on booking.com: 9.6.
- Villa Nautica Paradise Island Resort: Features standalone villas and bungalows on a picturesque island. Amenities include a pool, fitness club, tennis courts, spa, and tour desk. Dining options include multiple restaurants offering various cuisines. Prices start at $775 per night. Rating on booking.com: 9.5.
- Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa: Luxurious private island hotel with clean sandy beaches. Offers 176 rooms, including deluxe, beach cottages, overwater bungalows, and a water suite. Prices start at $433 per night. The hotel has three freshwater pools, a tennis court, and a dive center. Rating on booking.com: 9.0.
- Oaga Art Resort Maldives: Located on a separate island with its own beach, garden, pool, shared lounge, bar, Turkish bath, billiards, and organized airport transfers. Ideal for family holidays with a kids’ club. Prices start at $1020 per night. Rating on booking.com: 8.7.
Useful Tips for Tourists
- Fruit Availability: The Maldives have a limited variety of fruits, mainly selling coconuts and bananas. Consider a specialized fruit tour to Thoddoo Island, known for melons, watermelons, and papayas.
- Dangerous Marine Life: Beware of dangerous creatures like rays, sea urchins, anemones, lionfish, and stonefish. Avoid touching underwater wildlife and vegetation.
- Coconut Trees: Stay clear of coconut trees; falling coconuts cause fatal injuries to 150 people globally each year.
- Dining with a View: For panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, dine at the restaurant in Jen Male Hotel, the tallest structure in the Maldives, with a restaurant on the 11th floor.
- Traditional Maldivian Cuisine: Primarily consists of rice and tuna prepared in various ways. Finding familiar meats, vegetables, and baked goods can be challenging. When planning a trip to North Male Atoll, consider booking a hotel with a variety of restaurants.
