Local islands of the Maldives
112 inhabited islands you can stay on, grouped by atoll. Each island guide covers ferries and speedboats from Malé, bikini beaches and what there is to do.
The atoll around Malé and Velana International Airport. Home to the busiest guesthouse islands in the country, all reachable by short speedboat or public ferry.
Male'
81 guesthouses
Maafushi
46 guesthouses
Whale sharks · Snorkelling · Fishing
Thulusdhoo
30 guesthouses
Surfing · Snorkelling · Fishing
Dhiffushi
26 guesthouses
Snorkelling · Sandbank trips · Dolphin cruise
Guraidhoo
21 guesthouses
Himmafushi
20 guesthouses
Huraa
17 guesthouses
Gulhi
15 guesthouses
Snorkelling · Fishing · Sandbank trips
Gaafaru
11 guesthouses
Kaashidhoo
6 guesthouses
North Ari Atoll — famous for diving, the eco-award island of Ukulhas and the fruit farms of Thoddoo.
Thoddoo
70 guesthouses
Manta rays · Snorkelling · Sandbank trips
Rasdhoo
20 guesthouses
Diving · Snorkelling · Fishing
Ukulhas
19 guesthouses
Manta rays · Diving · Snorkelling
Feridhoo
14 guesthouses
Mathiveri
13 guesthouses
Himandhoo
7 guesthouses
Bodufolhudhoo
4 guesthouses
Maalhos
1 guesthouse
South Ari Atoll — the year-round whale shark capital of the Maldives.
Dhigurah
42 guesthouses
Whale sharks · Manta rays · Diving
Dhangethi
18 guesthouses
Hangnaameedhoo
15 guesthouses
Omadhoo
15 guesthouses
Maamigili
10 guesthouses
Dhiffushi
7 guesthouses
Mahibadhoo
7 guesthouses
Dhidhdhoo
4 guesthouses
Fenfushi
4 guesthouses
Kunburudhoo
1 guesthouse
Mandhoo
1 guesthouse
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to Hanifaru Bay and its famous manta ray aggregations.
Dharavandhoo
20 guesthouses
Whale sharks · Manta rays · Diving
Kamadhoo
13 guesthouses
Fehendhoo
7 guesthouses
Fulhadhoo
7 guesthouses
Maalhos
7 guesthouses
Kendhoo
4 guesthouses
Goidhoo
3 guesthouses
Dhonfanu
2 guesthouses
Hithaadhoo
2 guesthouses
Kadarikilu
2 guesthouses
Kihaadhoo
2 guesthouses
Eydhafushi
1 guesthouse
The least populated atoll, with sleepy islands, channel dives and nurse shark encounters.
The far north, served by Hanimaadhoo domestic airport — quiet islands well off the beaten track.