Meeru Island, North Malé Atoll

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

  • Island on North Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll), formed above peaks emerging from the depths of the ocean, upon layers of both living and dead coral, and remnants of other marine life
  • Coconut palms towering above dense shrubs and hardy plants protecting the shores from erosion are natural features

Vaadhoo Bioluminescence Plankton, Raa Atoll

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

  • One of the inhabited islands of Raa Atoll, famous for the bioluminescence plankton (Redhan), the spectacular “Sea of Stars” that can be experienced in this island yearly

Kanifushi, Lhaviyani Atoll

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

  • Island situated in the Lhaviyani Atoll, Kanifushi is one of the few resort islands in Laviyani Atoll, which started operation in 2013

Maalifushi, Thaa Atoll

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

  • Tiny, scenic atoll featuring picturesque beaches, clear waters and an upscale resort

Ithaa, Dhivehi

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

  • Ithaa, which means mother-of-pearl in Dhivehi, is an undersea restaurant located 16 ft below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in Alif Dhaal Atoll

Vilamendhoo

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

  • Formerly one of the uninhabited islands of Alif Dhaal Atoll (South Ari Atoll), it has been developed into a 184-room 4 star plus resort, called Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
  • The location is known as one of the best diving spots in the Maldives

Malé Atoll

Best time to travel: Nov-April
Ease of travel: Hard
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

  • Atoll that consists of two separate atolls: North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll
  • The Maldives remained largely unknown to tourists until the early 1970s
  • The other islands are used entirely for economic purposes, of which tourism and agriculture are the most dominant