World Country Guide

Kaafu (Mal) Atoll – North

The capital of the Maldives, Mal, is situated close to the airport on the southern point of the North Mal Atoll. Although accommodation is available, very few foreign visitors stay in the capital; even those doing business normally stay in one of the nearby resort islands and travel to Mal by boat. The capital has several shops which sell examples of local handicrafts and imported goods. Other attractions include the Mulee-aage, a former palace; National Museum, located in the Sultan’s Park with a superb collection of artefacts including Sultanese thrones and palanquins; the fish and vegetable markets; the beautiful 17th-century Hukuru (or Friday Mosque); and the Islamic Centre, with its magnificent golden dome. There are over 20 other mosques scattered around Mal.
Covering a land area of 60,680 sq m (653,160 sq ft) and with a beach length of 1024m (3360ft), this oval-shaped island is located approximately one hour by boat from the airport. One side of the island is full of corals, within 3 to 6m (10 to 20ft) of the shallow beach, perfect for snorkelling and diving lessons, whilst the other side is a superb beach ideal for swimming and water-skiing.
East of Baros is the island of Bandos, one of the larger resorts whose accommodation consists of well-furnished beach bungalows with a view of the beach. There is a particularly good diving school; one of the attractions is a dive down to the aptly-named Shark Point.
Situated on the east side of the North Mal Atoll, Hudhuveli is, like Bandos and Vaadhu, operated by Deen’s Orchid Agency. It is a modern beach resort with single-unit bungalows with straw roofing and freshwater showers.
This small island is exceedingly beautiful and much photographed. The accommodation consists of simple bungalows.
A tiny island covering an area of half a square mile, Kurumba is 15 minutes by boat from the airport and 10 minutes from Mal. There are conference facilities, swimming pools, gymnasia and jacuzzis, as well as five restaurants. Most watersports can be arranged, including scuba diving; the colourful fish in the lagoon will eat out of your hand.
Situated on the west side of the North Mal Atoll and boasting the country’s largest lagoon, Nakatchafushi is perhaps one of the most photographed of all the islands. Located on the western side of the Mal Atoll, it is 24km (15 miles) from the airport (travel time - approximately 90 minutes). The lagoon is perfect for watersports and a long strip of sand at the western end of the island is a haven for beachcombers. There is also a swimming pool.
This resort can be reached in 20 minutes from the airport. The resort’s deep lagoon makes it a favourite base for visiting yachts. It also boasts a gymnasium, a business centre and five restaurants.
The island of Giraavaru lies 11km (7 miles) west of the airport. It can be reached by speed boat (travel time – 15 minutes) or by normal transfer boat (travel time – 45 minutes). The well-appointed rooms face either a tropical garden or have a view of the Indian Ocean.
An untouched and beautiful island on the northwest of the North Mal Atoll. Thatched bungalows and 10 water bungalows built on stilts over the lagoon are influenced by local architectural styles without missing any of the modern comforts.
This island is reached by a two-hour voyage from the airport. It is one of the most expensive resorts and one that is renowned for its food. The Maldivian-run island probably provides the best anchorage of any resort and always has yachts for charter. It is protected on all sides by a beautiful lagoon. The accommodation consists of individual thatched bungalows situated in coconut groves leading down to the beach.
The island of Kanifinolhu (Kani) is on the eastern edge of the North Mal Atoll. The seas around the island boast some of the best inside reefs in the country, and the protection provided by the external reef makes diving possible even in the roughest conditions. The style of the accommodation is influenced by local and oriental design and some rooms have air conditioning. The island has a desalination plant for fresh water.
The resorts of Farukolhufushi (Club Med) and Thulhaagiri have superb facilities for watersports. Both have a swimming pool and Thulhaagiri has one windsurfing board for every twin-bedded room. Club Med has a qualified team organising sport and leisure activities during the day and in the evening. Summer Island Village offers 93 air-conditioned rooms in an idyllic tropical setting.
Other highly regarded North Mal resorts are Boduhithi and the neighbouring Kudahithi and, closer to the airport, Lhohifushi, which has a beautiful lagoon and a wide range of watersport facilities. Kudahithi, one of the most expensive resorts in the Maldives, has only six units – excellent for small, private groups.