Maldive Islands

The Maldive Islands are a low-lying island nation in the central Indian Ocean, formed by 26 natural atolls and roughly 1,190 coral islands. The country’s compact urban, administrative and commercial center is the island city of Malé, while many other islands are occupied by resort developments focused on marine tourism.

Tourism is centred on scuba diving, snorkelling, and resort experiences such as overwater accommodation; notable marine attractions include coral reefs, manta rays and seasonal whale shark sightings in several atolls. Many visitors travel by seaplane or domestic flight from Malé to reach distant atoll resorts, and guesthouse tourism on inhabited islands has expanded in recent years.

Historically the islands were governed by sultanates and later became a British protectorate in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Maldives gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and the sultanate was abolished in 1968 when the modern republic was established.

Geographically the archipelago lies southwest of India and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean and is notable for its low elevation and dispersed atoll geography. The majority of population and services are concentrated in Malé, while resort and natural sites are scattered across the atolls.

• Archipelago structure: The country consists of 26 natural atolls formed from roughly 1,190 coral islands, of which about 200 are inhabited and the rest are resorts, uninhabited islets or submerged banks.
• Internal travel: Many resort islands require a seaplane or domestic flight transfer from the capital, and travel times vary widely depending on the resort's distance from Malé.
• Biosphere Reserve: Baa Atoll is a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve noted for its rich marine biodiversity, including manta rays and coral reef systems.

What to See #

• Malé: The densely populated capital city located on a compact island in North Malé Atoll that serves as the administrative and economic center of the country.
• Baa Atoll: A large atoll in the central Maldives designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011 and recognised for its manta ray and coral reef biodiversity.
• Ari Atoll: A widely visited central atoll known for dive sites and regular sightings of whale sharks and large pelagic species.
• Addu Atoll: The southernmost atoll in the country with a more tropical climate and a string of inhabited islands and resort developments.