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Vaavu
Atoll - Felidhe Atoll
To the south of South Male' Atoll is Vaavu Atoll, also known as Felidhoo
Atoll. With just five inhabited islands, and two resorts, some believe
that Vaavu is one of the most spectacular atolls of the Maldives. The
inhabited islands are Fulidhoo in the north, Thinadhoo, Felidhoo and Keyodhoo
in the east and Rakeedhoo in the south. The population of these islands
depend heavily on fisheries. Fotteyo, the easternmost tip of the atoll
is also the easternmost point of the Maldives.
The
first stop in the atoll may be at Rakeedhoo in the north. Often the launching
point for two dives- one at 'Miaru Kandu' and the other at 'Dhiggiri Corner',
where in the gardens and passes you may come across anything from hammerheads
to grey reef sharks, eagle rays to giant tunas. Aarah is an uninhabited
island on the eastern rim of the atoll, where you can go snorkelling in
the clear waters of the lagoon or just stroll around on the white sand
beaches that surround the island.
Hulhidhoo and Thinadhoo passes provides further exciting dives-colourful alcyonarians and manta rays stopping by at their grooming stations. At the easternmost point of the archipelago is a true sanctuary. Foththeyo is considered by some as one of the five best dives in the world. Divers are delighted by the large quantities of soft corals and the explosion of colours - a beautiful place where you would want make repeated dives.