Northern Atolls

Resort Overview

One&Only Reethi Rah deserves special mention: With 12 beaches on one of the largest resort islands, 128 villas, six restaurants, and a spa that resembles a wellness palace, it sets the standard for ultra-luxury in the Maldives. The island is so large that guests travel between beaches by bicycle. Coordinates: [4.3922, 73.5367].

Gili Lankanfushi is the pioneering resort for sustainable luxury: "No News, No Shoes" is the motto. All villas are built from bamboo and recycled wood, there is no plastic on the island, and the Marine Biology program is one of the best in the Maldives. The "Crusoe Residence" — a private villa at the end of a 500 m long jetty, completely over the water — is one of the most exclusive accommodations worldwide (from $3,500/night). Coordinates: [4.2611, 73.4872].

Dive Site Comparison

The Banana Reef was the first official dive site of the Maldives in 1972 and remains one of the best. Named after its banana-shaped rock formation, the reef offers a vertical wall dropping from 3 to 30 meters — covered with soft and fan corals in all colors. Napoleon wrasse, whitetip reef sharks, schools of barracudas, and with luck even eagle rays can be spotted here. Coordinates: [4.2633, 73.5553]. Dive available through any resort dive center, from $70.

The Lankan Manta Point is the best manta cleaning station in the North Malé Atoll from May to November: Reef mantas with wingspans of up to 4 meters remain still over a shallow coral block while cleaner fish rid their skin of parasites. Snorkelers can observe the mantas from the surface — an experience no aquarium in the world can offer.

Between June and November, when the southwest monsoon pushes nutrient-rich plankton into the narrow bay, up to 200 manta rays gather here simultaneously to feed — an underwater ballet of superlatives. The mantas, with wingspans of up to 5 meters, spin in spirals, filter the water, and glide past snorkelers at arm's length. Occasionally, whale sharks join in. It is one of the most intense natural experiences one can have on this planet.

Manta Feeding in Detail

The bay functions like a natural funnel: The ocean current pushes plankton into the narrow entrance, and the mantas position themselves in the most nutrient-rich area. On peak days, a so-called "manta tornado" forms — dozens of animals swim in concentric circles above one another, each mouth wide open, filtering tons of plankton. For snorkelers on the surface, the spectacle is surreal: Massive creatures spin beneath you in a choreographed dance that looks staged but is pure nature.

Protection Regulations

• Only snorkeling allowed (no diving)
• Maximum number of visitors per time slot limited
• A ranger accompanies each group
• Entrance: $25 + $10 ranger fee per person
• Sunscreen must be reef-safe
• No touching, no chasing, minimum distance of 3 meters

Resort Comparison

Soneva Fushi deserves special mention as a pioneering project of sustainable luxury tourism. Founded in 1995 by Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, it revolutionized Maldivian hospitality: no shoes, no ties, no plastic bottles, but Robinson Crusoe-style villas in the jungle, its own observatory with a telescope for stargazing, a glass studio where guests can blow glass art, an underwater cinema (open-air cinema on the beach), and the restaurant Ufaa, which elevates traditional Maldivian cuisine to haute cuisine level. Coordinates: [5.1119, 73.0669].

Milaidhoo Island is the most intimate resort near Hanifaru Bay — only 50 villas, architecturally inspired by traditional Maldivian houses with pointed roofs and local materials. The overwater pool villas offer direct reef access — turtles and reef sharks regularly swim past under the villa. Coordinates: [5.0453, 72.9756].

In addition to the luxury resorts, the Baa Atoll also has some local islands with guesthouses that offer a much cheaper alternative — with the same reefs and the opportunity to visit Hanifaru Bay:

• Dharavandhoo: The main island of the atoll with its own domestic airport. 3–4 guesthouses ($40–80/night), direct boat ride to Hanifaru Bay (30 min, $50–80 day trip). Authentic village life, bikini beach available. Coordinates: [5.1531, 73.0128]
• Maalhos: Small, quiet island with 2–3 guesthouses ($35–60/night). Excellent house reef right on the beach — turtles, reef sharks, and occasionally mantas visible from the shore. Coordinates: [5.1042, 72.9786]
• Fulhadhoo: One of the most beautiful local islands — long white beach, hardly any tourists, 2 small guesthouses ($30–50/night). Bioluminescence often visible at night. Accessible by speedboat from Dharavandhoo (15 min). Coordinates: [5.0839, 72.9378]

Budget Tip: Use Dharavandhoo as a base, guesthouse for $50/night, Hanifaru Bay tour for $80/day — a manta week in the UNESCO biosphere reserve for under $600 (excluding flight). The same experience costs $5,000–10,000 in a resort.

The atoll hosts some outstanding resorts that deliberately focus on seclusion:

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives on the artificially created Fari Islands is the latest jewel of the Maldives — opened in 2021 with architecture by Kerry Hill, combining minimalist luxury with tropical nature. Highlight: Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program for children, which playfully teaches marine biology and environmental protection. Coordinates: [5.5050, 73.1964].

Divers can enjoy some world-class spots in the Raa Atoll — most of which are still rarely visited:

A special tip: On Alifushi, you can visit the last active Dhoni shipyard in the Maldives — the craftsmen build traditional boats by hand, without plans, just by eye. Above water, craftsmanship tradition, below water, coral gardens — a unique combination.

Hurawalhi hosts the spectacular 5.8 Undersea Restaurant — the largest underwater restaurant in the world, 5.8 meters below the water surface. A 10-course menu surrounded by a 180-degree panorama of the coral reef. Sharks, rays, and turtles swim past guests as the sommelier announces the next course. Dinner from $280 per person (evenings only, reservation required). Coordinates: [5.3917, 73.4958].

Kuredu Island is the price-performance champion of the Maldives: Beach bungalow with all-inclusive from $180/night, dive package for 5 dives from $300. The island is large enough for extended walks and offers 6 restaurants and bars. Particularly popular with divers because of the "Kuredu Express" — a legendary drift dive. Coordinates: [5.5356, 73.4800].

The atoll is a diver's paradise with over 50 charted dive sites:

Top Dive Sites

The Shipyard is one of the most unique dive sites in the Maldives — an underwater ship graveyard with two sunken ships overgrown with corals and inhabited by schools of fish. The ships lie at a depth of 15–30 meters on a sandy bottom, patrolled by guitar sharks and nurse sharks. Visibility of 20–30 meters makes the spot photogenic and partially accessible to snorkelers (the upper masts reach up to 8 meters below the surface).

The Haa Atolls have a distinct cultural identity that sets them apart from the rest of the Maldives. The residents speak a distinctive dialect of Dhivehi, which can sometimes be difficult for Malé residents to understand. The island of Utheemu in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the birthplace of Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu, the national hero of the Maldives, who drove out the Portuguese in 1573.

Utheemu Palace (Utheemu Ganduvaru)

The Utheemu Ganduvaru is the reconstructed birthplace of Muhammad Thakurufaanu — a traditional wooden structure from the 16th century, which today serves as a national museum. The complex consists of several buildings with coral stone foundations, palm wood beams, and woven palm leaf roofs. Inside, artifacts from the liberation period are displayed, including weapons, clothing, and documents. A visit offers a fascinating insight into the pre-modern lifestyle of the Maldivians. Free admission. Coordinates: [6.7356, 73.0678].

The island of Ihavandhoo in the Haa Alifu Atoll was once the administrative center of the northern sultanate and houses ruins of historic mosques and cemeteries with Arabic inscriptions from the 14th century. The island is accessible by public ferry from Hanimaadhoo (2 hours) and offers an authentic insight into Maldivian island life away from tourism.

The dive sites of the Haa Atolls are virtually untouched — here you dive on reefs that haven't seen another diver in years. The channels between the atolls are wider than in the south, and the currents bring nutrient-rich water from the open Indian Ocean.

Top Dive Sites

The Haa Alifu Kandu is one of the few places in the Maldives where hammerhead shark schools are regularly sighted — especially during early morning dives (6:00–7:00 am), when the sharks rise from the depths. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the chances are better here than almost anywhere else in the archipelago. Experienced current divers will be rewarded with experiences usually reserved for Galapagos or Cocos Island.

The JW Marriott Maldives on Vagaru Island is one of the newer mega-projects in the north — with 60 overwater villas stretching over 1.5 km, an underwater spa concept, and direct access to the untouched reefs of the Haa Alifu Atoll. Seclusion is the theme here: no neighboring island in sight, just ocean and stars. Coordinates: [6.8542, 72.9831].

The Barefoot Eco Hotel on Hanimaadhoo is the budget alternative in the north — a simple yet charming eco-resort right next to the airport. No overwater villas, no golden faucets, but an excellent house reef, authentic Maldivian atmosphere, and prices that are absurdly low by Maldivian standards. Beach bungalow with half board from $120/night. Coordinates: [6.7442, 73.1706].