It just appears out of nowhere in the Indian Ocean. Barely visible when you fly across, the tiny islands of Maldives zoom into view only when you are headed for it. The Republic of Maldives is a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for anyone who wants to enjoy leisure at its best. Like the Indian territory of Lakshadweep a bit further north, the islands here are called atolls. The country’s 26 natural atolls offer numerous delights from night-fishing trips to windsurfing and scuba-diving.

The white sandy beaches, the exotic lagoons, the crystal clear sea and abundant marine life make it a perfect destination for fun, leisure and family. Tourism is one of the major industries in the country. There are many nice getaway resorts on the coast where you can just laze around or if you are adventurous go snorkelling with expert help and supervision. Yachting off the coast is also popular.Populated mostly with muslims, Maldives also has some Hindus and Christians. The language they speak is Mahl. It is a peaceful country with good international relations.The fact that Maldives are low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level), makes it perfect for snorkeling and one can view the coral life at close quarters. Global warming is adversely affecting this little natural wonder and the internal community need to take some concrete steps or we might loose this beautiful country altogether..

Raa Atoll
Raa Atoll is located in the Northern part of Maldives and to the west of the Noonu atoll. The Raa Atoll comprises of a collection of over 90 islands of which only 16 are inhabited. With a population around 19,003, the majority of these inhabited islands lie on the eastern side of the atoll. Out of the remaining uninhabited islands, only one island has been developed as a tourist resort

Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll located in northern part of the country comprises a total of 50 islands. Only 13 of these are inhabited with a population of 11,910 at the last count. Most of the inhabited islands lie on the eastern side of the atoll and some of these have been converted into resorts for tourists. The resort islands is virgin land, unexploited and solitary. The pristine beauty of the beach and sea top diving and surfing sites, all make Baa Atoll one of the favourite destinations.

Dhaalu Atoll
A comparatively late entrant to tourism, Southern Nilandhe Atoll or Dhaalu Atoll was opened for tourism only in 1998. Soon it became one of the favourite sites for scuba diving. Located between the latitudes 3° 01′ N and 2° 39′ N, the Atoll has climbed popularity charts among tourists as one of the most exotic destinations in Maldives. It stretches 23km from east to west, and 38km north to south. Out of a total of 56 islands, seven are inhabited, with a total population of around 7000. Divers from all around the world visit this atoll for the amazing diving experiences it offers. Some of the islands in this atoll have ruins from the Buddhist period, but none of them have been properly excavated yet. Mysterious mounds known as hawittas are found in Kudahuvadhu, the capital island located at the atoll’s southern tip. The old mosque of Kudahuvadhoo, possesses some of the finest masonry in the country

Faafu Atoll
Lying between latitude 3° 20′ N and 3° 03′ N, the Northern Nilandhe Atoll or Faafu atoll is geographically similar to the Alifu Atoll. To the north east are fantastic dive sites where you can dive or snorkel in the aquamarine waters. Of the 23 islands thake make this atoll, only 5 are inhabited with the population being around 2000. Historians and archaelogists have found evidence that points the prevalence of Hinduism in the islands. One uninhabited island has been converted into a resort island. One can reach the atoll by a seaplane.

Haa Alifu Atoll
Northern Thiladhunmathi Atoll, or Haa Alifu Atoll is the northernmost administrative division of the Maldives. In total Haa Alif Atoll contains 42 islands, 16 of which are inhabited. The Haa Alifu Atoll is one of those places where you get the real lonely island experience. A third of its 42 islands are deserted, and the rest are home to nothing more than a few sleepy hamlets. It’s just miles of pristine stretches of sand and unexplored greenery. Swim and sunbathe as much as you like, but try scuba diving for sure. The atoll’s underwater world is an ever-changing panorama of bright corals, rainbow-coloured fish and even a couple of shipwrecks. Most of the hotels here have their own diving schools. Watersports, right from water-skiing to windsurfing and catamaran sailing or canoeing, you have a wish list. Or if you like, just laze around or walk around.

Lhaviyani atoll
The Lhaviyani atoll is the odd one among the atolls in Maldives. Lying between latitudes 5° 15′ N and 5° 34′ N, the islands form the outer rim and are larger in size. They are characterized by dense vegetation. One of the islands has a tuna canning factory on it. Maldives is a favoured source for tuna. To encourage an environment friendly fishing industry, the pole and line method of fishing is used.

Meemu Atoll
Meemu Atoll also known as Mulako Atoll is situated in between 3° 11′ N and 2° 45′ N latitude. It comprises 33 islands, 9 of them inhabited. Meemu Atoll is known for its easy and pleasurable dive spots. With the length of 47 km and width of 30 km, the atoll has a population of over 5000 inhabitants. There is a mosque of historical value in Kolhufushi Island, but no Buddhist remains have been found on this atoll. Also of historic importance is the 1573 wreck of Kalhuohfummi off the south eastern reef of Kolhuvaariyaafushi island. The Ravestein wreck and the Ranvila wreck make good spots for wreck diving.

Noonu Atoll
The South Miladhunmathi Atoll, or Noonu Atoll for short, leaves you spellbound with its enchanting beauty. The sunny islands with swaying palms and bluegreen lagoons make a perfect holiday destination. The islands are also the nesting grounds for the green turtle.The hermit crab is abundant here. The Channel to the west of this atoll is called Baraveli Kandu. “Baraveli” means hermit crab in local Dhivehi language. Noonu is administrative division of the Maldives corresponding to the southern section of Miladhunmadulhu Atoll. The capital is Manadhoo.

North Ari Atoll
The North Ari Atoll or Alifu Atoll has 18 islands in the group. It is the second most popular of the atolls and has many resorts. It lies between the latitude 4° 27′ N and 3° 55′ N. Geographically Alifu Atoll has been blessed with many dive sites full of brilliant coral reefs and fishes in varying sizes, shapes and colors. Gray reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, batfish, zebra morays, stonefish, frogfish, turtles and manta rays are found off Maya Thilla. A wreck was created to add adventure to the divers off Halaveli island. There are too many superior spots to name here.

North Male Atoll
The main tourist attraction of Maldives is perhaps the North Male Atoll. The first resort opened here with just 30 rooms and now the resort has more than 40 resorts. Still, it has retained its beauty. Located at almost the centre of the country, North Male Atool has about 80 islands of which 12 are inhabited.The atoll has many exciting activities. Snorkelling, sailing, scuba diving and windsurfing are some of them. The underwater world of exotic corals and colourful schools of fish are sights that remain ever etched in memory. The ruins of a ship sunk in 14th century is an exciting divespot. Maldives International airport is also situated in this atoll.

Seenu Atoll
Addu atoll aka Seenu Atoll lies between latitude 0° 36′ S and 0° 44′ S to the south of the equator. This group has much larger islands and has the second largest population after Male’. Unlike other atolls of Maldives Addu Atoll possesses a natural anchorage with in the atoll basin, as the atoll is land locked with large islands surrounding the atoll, resulting a fascinating natural harbor which is very calm and very safe for sea vessels at all times and has no effect on seasonal changes. The atoll possesses four channels, which lead into the inside. In the north it is the Kuda Kandu and Maa Kandu, in the south the Gan Kandu, as well as southeast the broad Villingili Kandu. The Addu Atoll coast is particularly rich whale and dolphin species. Last few years are of special note as more of them were sighted here.Addu Atoll is the only area in the Maldives that was not affected by the 1998 global Coral Bleaching. The south of the Maldives was spared from the “too warm” major ocean currents (El Niño), the bright and healthy corals start at the top of “giris” and “thilas” (about 1m under the surface) and slope down with the reef till 30m or more

South Ari Atoll
Great dives and great Sun. The South Ari Atoll has it all. The beaches are so beckoning with their milky white sands and ocean so clear and blue that one spends more time on the beachfront. The diversity of the aqualife underwater reveals with each dive, yet remains shroude in mystery. Full moon nights on the beach means hanging out with little crabs ever ready for a race to the sea. Snorkelling experiences are just divine out here.

South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll is a string of emerald green isles with Maafushi as its capital. With superior dive spots, South Male Atoll is a favoured destination. Lying between between 4° 59′ N and 3° 48′ N , it has diverse marise marine life off its shores. Soft corals, squirrelfish, tuna and soldier fish are fpound off Vaadhoo reef. For starters, Kandooma Point is an ideal place for diving when the flow of the water current is inward. To make diving more exciting, a yacht was deliberately sunk down near Yacht Thila, located 1 km east of Dhigufinolhu Island Resort. Vaagali Thila located 300 southeast of the uninhabited island of Vaagali is a perfect dive site if you want to spot sharks, manta rays, eagle raysetc. Gulhi Kandu, Cocoa Thila, Lhosfushi Kandu, Medhu Faru, Embudhu Canyon, Bolifushi Thila and Velassaru Faru are some of the dive sites in South Male Atoll filled with rich and colorful marine species.