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Kaafu
Atoll - North Male' Atoll
North Male' Atoll is the hub of the tourism industry, and of the 27 resorts
in the atoll, most are clustered around the capital. Male' the capital
and Hulule the airport island are also in North Male' Atoll. Out of more
than 50 islands in the atoll, eight are inhabited including the capital
Male'. Visits to the local villages would provide you with a unique insight
into the lifestyle of the Maldivian people. Barbecue lunches and dinners
on the beaches of uninhabited islands, with a bonfire as the only source
of artificial light at night provide for an unforgettable cruise.
Most
dive sites in the atoll are located close to the resorts. On the southeastern
side of the atoll, close to Paradise Island Resort is the famous 'Manta
Point'. An easy dive, however one that will set the standards for the
rest of your cruise, especially if you see the school of young mantas,
that has made this site famous. You could visit a resort close by in the
evening.
Further north near the island of Thulusdhoo, outside the Thulusdhoo Pass, is a site called the 'Stairs' - a true paradise for divers and photographers, with its concentration of marine life, including snappers, sweetlips, white tip sharks and eagle rays.
Gaafaru in North Male' Atoll, a small isolated atoll with just one island, famous for its many wrecks provides some fantastic dives. 'Seagull' for instance is exciting due to the wreck as well as the marine life you would encounter; large tunas, jacks and grey reef sharks are just some of them.
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Kaafu
Atoll - South Male' Atoll
South Male' Atoll is comprised of about 30 islands, 16 of them resorts,
three local villages and 11 uninhabited. Most of the islands are dotted
on the eastern rim of the atoll. On a cruise in South Male' Atoll the
first dive would probably be at the 'Vaadhoo Caves'- an easy dive among
myriads of reef fish that live protected in the cavities. The resort of
Embudhufinolhu may be a possible stop for the night, where you may get
off for a drink. The ' Embudhu Kandu' provides for a perfect drift dive.
Here you will pass over eagle rays and sharks. At the 'Kuda Giri Wreck'
further south you may explore the remains of a cargo ship, populated with
batfish and groupers. At the 'Guraidhoo Corner' you will find large sharks,
entire families of humphead wrasses, barracudas, jacks and tunas.
Visits to the local villages would enable you to see the way of life of the locals. Maafushi, for instance though so close to the resort islands have been barely influenced by the industry. The island's harbour is lined with fishing dhonis and the islanders are skilled fishermen who sell their daily catch in Male', just two hours by boat. Guraidhoo further south is more into tourism and the streets are lined with souvenir shops. The variety and quantity of souvenirs sold here would impress even the most hardened of shoppers.