Maldives

The Islands of Maldives: Discover Paradise on Earth

There are 1192 islands in the Maldives. These islands are divided into 26 natural Atolls.

If your idea of paradise is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees and pure white beaches surrounded by crystalline lagoons of varying shades of blue – then the Maldives will definitely fit the bill.

maldives islands

Indeed, it is not without reason that the Maldives has been described as ‘(the) flower of the Indies’ by Marco Polo and ‘one of the wonders of the world’ by Ibn Batuta.

It is no wonder that a large percentage of tourists who come to the Maldives are repeat visitors – people who came once and fell so in love with the place that they simple had to come again.

The beauty of Maldives is indeed addictive. Once you sample the heady mixture of secluded serenity, thrilling water sports activities, soothing spas, relaxing beaches all wrapped in the luxurious comfort of modern amenities – you are bound to want the experience again.

Quick Facts

Number of Atolls in Maldives26 Natural Atolls (20 Administrative Atolls)
Number of Islands in Maldives1192 Islands
Number of Inhabited Islands188 Islands
Number of Resort Islands175 Resorts (year 2024)
Length of Maldives871 Kilometers
Maldivian Population 382,751 (recorded on 2022)

Maldives Atolls

maldives islands

Maldives is an archipelago comprising 1,192 low-lying coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 for administrative purposes.

The atolls of Maldives are in fact part of a greater structure known as the Laccadives-Chagos Ridge, which stretches over 2000 kilometers. The islands of Maldives are very low lying with the highest point at approximately 8 feet above sea level. ‘Faru’ or ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and these provide natural defense against wind and wave action, on the delicate islands.

An indication of the perfection of Maldives atoll structure is the fact that the word ‘atoll’ in the English Language – meaning ‘ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a lagoon’, is a borrowing from the Maldivian language ‘Dhivehi’.

Of the more than 1190 tropical islands that make the paradise that is Maldives, only about 200 are inhabited. Of the remaining islands about a 150 have been developed into exotic resort islands that offer tourists their own hideaway – hidden away from all the hectic hustle and bustle of city life.

The capital of Maldives – Malé, the seat of government and the center of trade, commerce, business, health and education, is located in the middle of the atoll chain, a small island buzzing with the sounds and activities of more than 300,000 people which is more than one third of the population. Malé is perhaps the smallest urban capital in the whole world.

Where are the Maldives Islands

The Maldives lies between latitudes 4 degree 17 North and longitudes 73 degree 50 East – a position where there is an abundance of sun all throughout the year, every year. The Maldives has always been a popular destination for travelers, especially seafarers because of its prime position en route to many trade destinations.

The total area of 90,000 square kilometers over which the islands are spread, consists of sparkling sun-kissed beaches, palm-fringed islands, crystal cleat lagoons studded with multi-coloured corals and warm, azure seas with exotic marine life – a mesmerizing mixture that remains the same throughout the year, continue to enthrall visitors from far and wide.

List of Local Islands in Maldives

The follwing is a list islands that local Maldivian lives. There are many more desert islands and that are developed as resorts.

AtollInhabited Islands
01 – Haa Alifu Atoll

North Thiladhunmathi (HA)
Dhidhdhoo – Atoll Capital
Thuraakunu
Uligamu
Mulhadhoo
Hoarafushi
Ihavandhoo
Kelaa
Vashafaru
Filladhoo
Maarandhoo
Thakandhoo
Utheemu
Muraidhoo
Baarah
02 – Haa Dhaalu Atoll

South Thiladhunmathi (HDh)

Kulhudhuffushi – Atoll Capital
Hanimaadhoo
Finey
Naivaadhoo
Hirimaradhoo
Nolhivaranfaru
Nellaidhoo
Nolhivaramu
Kurnibi
Kunburudhoo
Kumundhoo
Neykurendhoo
Vaikaradhoo
Maavaidhoo
Makunudhoo
03 – Shaviyani Atoll

North Miladhunmadulu (Sh)
Funadhoo – Atoll Capital
Kanditheemu
Noomaraa
Goidhoo
Feydhoo
Feevah
Billeffahi
Foakaidhoo
Narudhoo
Maroshi
Lhaimagu
Komandhoo
Maaun’goodhoo
Milandhoo
04 – Noonu Atoll

South Miladhunmadulu (N)
Manadhoo – Atoll Capital
Hen’badhoo
Ken’dhikulhudhoo
Maalhendhoo
Kudafari
Landhoo
Maafaru
Lhohi
Miladhoo
Magoodhoo
Holhudhoo
Fodhdhoo
Velidhoo
05 – Raa Atoll

North Maalhosmadulu (R)
Un’goofaaru – Atoll Capital
Alifushi Vaadhoo
Rasgetheemu
An’golhitheemu
Kandolhudhoo
Dhuvaafaru
Maakurathu
Rasmaadhoo
Innamaadhoo
Maduvvari
In’guraidhoo
Fainu
Meedhoo
Kinolhas
Hulhudhuffaaru
06 – Baa Atoll

South Maalhosmadulu (B)
Eydhafushi – Atoll Capital
Kudarikilu
Kamadhoo
Kendhoo
Kihaadhoo
Dhonfanu
Daravandhoo
Maalhos
Thulhaadhoo
Hithaadhoo
Fulhadhoo
Fehendhoo
Goidhoo
07 – Laviyani Atoll

Faadhippolhu (Lh)
Naifaru – Atoll Capital
Hinnavaru
Kurendhoo
Olhuvelifushi
08 – Kaafu Atoll

Male’ Atoll (K)
Thulusdhoo – Atoll Capital
Male
Hulhumale
Villingili
Kaashidhoo
Gaafaru
Dhiffushi
Huraa
Himmafushi
Gulhi
Maafushi
Guraidhoo
09 – Alif Alif Atoll

North Ari Atoll (AA)
Rasdhoo – Atoll Capital
Thoddoo
Ukulhas
Mathiveri
Bodufolhudhoo
Feridhoo
Maalhos
Himandhoo
10 – Alif Dhaalu Atoll

South Ari Atoll (ADh)
Mahibadhoo – Atoll Capital
Hangn’aameedhoo
Omadhoo
Kun’burudhoo
Mandhoo
Dhn’agethi
Dhigurah
Fenfushi
Dhidhdhoo
Maamigili
11 – Vaavu Atoll

Felidhu Atoll (V)
Felidhoo – Atoll Capital
Fulidhoo
Thinadhoo
Keyodhoo
Rakeedhoo
12 – Meemu Atoll

Mulakatholhu (M)
Muli – Atoll Capital
Raiymandhoo
Veyvah
Mulah
Naalaafushi
Kolhufushi
Dhiggaru
Maduvvari
13 – Faafu Atoll

North Nilandhe Atoll (F)
Nilandhoo – Atoll Capital
Feeali
Biledhhdhoo
Magoodhoo
Dharan’boodhoo
14 – Dhaalu Atoll

South Nilandhe Atoll (Dh)
Kudahuvadhoo – Atoll Capital
Meedhoo
Ban’didhoo
Rin’budhoo
Hulhudeli
Vaani
Maaen’boodhoo
15 – Thaa Atoll

Kolhumadulu (Th)
Veymandoo – Atoll Capital
Buruni
Vilufushi
Madifushi
Dhiyamigili
Guraidhoo
Kan’doodhoo
Vandhoo
Hirilandhoo
Gaadhiffushi
Thimarafushi
Kinbidhoo
Omadhoo
16 – Laamu Atoll

Hadhdhunmathi (L)
Fonadhoo – Atoll Capital
Ishdhoo
Dhan’bidhoo
Maabaidhoo
Mundoo
Gamu
Maavah
Gaadhoo
Maamendhoo
Hithadhoo
Kunahandhoo
Kalaidhoo2
Ishdhoo
Dhan’bidhoo
Maabaidhoo
Mundoo
Gamu
Maavah
Gaadhoo
Maamendhoo
Hithadhoo
Kunahandhoo
Kalaidhoo2
17 – Gaafu Alif Atoll

North Huvadhu Atoll (GA)
Viligili – Atoll Capital
Kolamaafushi
Maamendhoo
Nilandhoo
Dhaandhoo
Devvadhoo
Kodey
Gemanafushi
Kandhuhulhudhoo
18 – Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll

South Huvadhu Atoll (GDh)
Thinadhoo – Atoll Capital
Madaveli
Hoadhedhdhoo
Nadallaa
Gadhdhoo
Rathafandhoo
Vaadhoo
Fiyoari
Faresmaathoda
19 – G’naviyani Atoll

Fuvahmulah City (Gn)
Fuvahmulah – Atoll Capital
20 – Seenu Atoll

Addu City (S)
Hithadhoo – Atoll Capital
Meedhoo
Maradhoo
Feydhoo
Maradhoofeydhoo
Hulhudhoo
List of Inhabited Islands in Maldives