Male' Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)

This is where tourism began in 1972. Kaafu Atoll consists of four geographical atolls; North and South Male’ Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaasidhoo Atolls. The atoll is located almost in the centre of the Maldives atoll chain. With 80 islands in all, only 12 are inhabited. That includes the capital, Male’ and the island of Hulhule on which Male’ International Airport is located. While the first resort opened with just 30 rooms in 1972 now there are a total of 3657 rooms distributed amongst 44 resorts in the atoll. In fact the biggest concentration of resorts is in North Male’ Atoll. The atoll is dotted with dive sites, many of them well known in the diving community. Manta points, interesting reef formations, coral gardens and wrecks are all part of the diving experience in these atolls. The Maldives Victory, which sank on Friday the 13th 1981 near the airport island of Hulule, is now an exciting diving attraction. Kaafu Atoll is also a haven for surfers. The eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll has many recognised surf sites for the avid surfer - ‘Cokes’ at Thulusdhoo is one. Most of the recognised surfs in the Maldives are in North Male’ Atoll. Transport to the resorts in Male’ Atoll are by ‘dhoni’, motorised local vessels or by speedboat.