Raa Atoll★★
The Raa Atoll (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi) north of the Baa Atoll is one of the least developed atolls in the Maldives — and that's precisely what makes it so appealing. Here, you'll find intact reefs, untouched dive sites, and a tranquility that is unparalleled even in the Maldives.
Resorts in the Raa Atoll
The atoll hosts some outstanding resorts that deliberately focus on seclusion:
| Resort | Style | Price from | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands | Ultra-luxury | $1,800/night | Architecture by Kerry Hill, art gallery, Cousteau program |
| Emerald Maldives | Deluxe all-inclusive | $600/night | Italian managed, premium AI including spa |
| You & Me Maldives | Adults-only | $500/night | Underwater restaurant H2O, romantic AI |
| Heritance Aarah | Premium all-inclusive | $450/night | Sri Lankan managed, Ayurveda spa, excellent food |
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].
Diving in the Raa Atoll
Divers can enjoy some world-class spots in the Raa Atoll — most of which are still rarely visited:
| Dive Site | Depth | Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kottefaru Kuda Thila | 8–30 m | Advanced | Pinnacle, gray reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays |
| Fenfushi Giri | 5–25 m | Open Water | Shallow reef top, turtles, moray eels, macro |
| Neyo Kandu | 10–35 m | Advanced | Channel current, gray reef sharks, tuna schools |
| Alifushi Beru | 3–20 m | Open Water | Dhoni shipyard above water, coral gardens below |
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.
