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Northern Atolls holidays
Unlike the more developed central and southern atolls of the Maldives, the Northern Atolls offer a secluded escape for the discerning traveller. What sets them apart are their untouched beauty with a sense of pristine remoteness, fewer resorts and many islands still preserve rich cultural traditions offering a glimpse into the local way of life. In any of the northern atolls, wonderful marine life is never far offshore. The most famous, Baa Atoll, is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. If snorkelling or diving is on your agenda, these are the ones to watch.
- Flight time
- 10h
- From London to Malé
- Currency
- Rf
- Rufiyaa
- Time zone
- GMT +5h
Getting to the Northern Atolls
No northern atoll resort is more than 120 km (75 miles) from Malé Airport, meaning a 40-minute seaplane ride is all it takes to deliver you from the airport lounge to the sun lounger. You’ll usually land round outside your resort, ready for relaxation. Flights aren’t cheap, but most agree, the 5000 ft views of paradise are worth shelling out for. Arrange yours through your resort and aim for flights which arrive in Malé before dark to avoid an overnight stay in the capital– as a rule, seaplanes don’t take off after 16:00.
Alternatively, for resorts in the Baa Atoll, a 20-minute domestic flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo airport is a (slightly) cost-saving alternative. From Dharavandhoo, it’s just a complimentary shuttle to the harbour and a 15-minute speedboat ride till there’s sand between your toes and a Piña Colada in hand.
Average weather in Northern Atolls
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Holidays in the Northern Atolls
The best time to catch marine magic in the northern atolls is between August and November when manta rays and whale sharks flood the reefs in the marine equivalent of Spring Break. That said, diving conditions are good year-round, especially if you follow a simple rule of thumb ̶ from May to November, life is more varied and visibility better on the west side of any atoll and on the east side from December to April (all due to prevailing wind directions).
Water temperatures hover around the bathtub mark of 27 to 30°C, meaning a shorty wetsuit is adequate for most scuba divers. Visibility is not season dependent and ranges between 10-30 m. Currents vary but are usually manageable by all standards when diving within the atolls, rather than in the channels (called “Kandus”). Most of the dives up north are therefore within the atolls. Read more about the best time to visit the Maldives.
Maldivian resorts are famed for imaginative cuisine from north, south, east and west and the chefs in northern resorts certainly don’t let the side down. Options range from Peruvian ceviche and Moroccan tagines to the best of the Orient, all dishes built on a foundation of fresher than fresh seafood.
In the Maldives you don’t just have dinner, you dine, and taking your evening meal is almost always an experience. Among your options, you can awaken taste buds you didn’t know you had at a chef’s table, enjoy private dinners on a deserted sandbank or wine and dine with a loved one at sea in front of a setting sun.
Interesting bars and leisure activities are plenty among the northern resorts, meaning evenings are anything but ordinary. In the bars, expect interesting features like catamaran nets, letting you sip stiff drinks sitting over the water, or bonfires on beaches where you can toast the week under the stars. At the Soneva Jani, it’s previously been possible to dine in the observatory, where a resident astronomer can point out different planets and show you a galaxy 31 million light-years away. This resort has also formerly offered evening meals around its outdoor cinema, with a screen raised on stilts above the lagoon.
Elsewhere, nightly spa rituals, shisha nights, evening dolphin cruises and night snorkelling tours are just some of the ways to occupy yourself after dark.
With the liveliest offerings in the north, the Finolhu is the place to head if you’re looking to turn up the tempo after a day of lazing on the beach. It’s been known to commission fire dancers, acrobats and world-famous DJs, hold full moon parties on sandbanks and turn its pool area into an open-air nightclub ̶ about the closest this country gets to revelry.
Brand names may be few and far between, but locally produced handicrafts are found in all the main villages in the northern atolls with lots of unique items to fill the suitcase.
In the Baa atoll, the “feyli”, a type of cotton sarong, is a local speciality, while the Thulhaadhoo and Kudarikilu islands specialise in lacquered wooden ornaments. Meanwhile, the Lhaviyani atoll’s capital, Naifaru, weaves some mean fabrics for cushions, tea towels and other mementoes. Other classic souvenirs include boxes and vases painted with vibrant, floral patterns or model dhonis (traditional Maldivian boats), a great keepsake if you’ve been on one during your stay.
Resort shops are often well-stocked with souvenirs for family members who missed out hunting for treasures in the villages, Here you’ll find flip flops and other accessories for yourself too.
Activities in the Northern Atolls
Explore an underwater utopia of glorious corals, mystic manta rays, graceful turtles and spectacular grey reef sharks. Canoeing, surfing, paddleboarding, sailing; whatever floats your boat, Northern Atolls provide a real picturesque experience. Check out our favourite activities in the Maldives' Northern Atolls.
Watersports
Diving in the Northern Atolls
Coral-covered underwater islands, legions of fish and the largest manta migrations in the Maldives? If you haven’t learnt to dive yet, this is a must in the northern atolls. The PADI schools here are among the finest on the high seas. The Four Seasons Landaa Giravaaru is one of the few worldwide licensed to teach children using real live dives, not just a training pool (those from 8-years and up have previously been taught in the beautiful house lagoon). Last time we checked, the Four Seasons goes the extra mile for adult learners, with special e-learning courses that let you take the theory section of the PADI course from home – and not waste any time in paradise hitting the books.
If you’ve already earnt your scuba stripes, the reefs in Baa should be ticked off the bucket list, so dreamy they were awarded UNESCO status in 2011. Here, hotspots like the Dhonfanu Thila contain some of the most breathtaking coral-covered canyons and caves on earth. This draws plenty of mantas (in season), as well as big pelagic fish like wrasses and startlingly blue parrotfish. The Horubadhoo Thila (12-16 metres), meanwhile, can be a psychedelic experience in the right sunlight, and again, is packed with mantas and delights like transparent glassy fish.
Over in Lhaviyani, a total 50 explored dive sites include lots of wall-dives, channels and a strong shark population. Suitable for all levels, the “Aquarium” in the reefs off Huravalhi Island accommodates all – including an interesting mix of hawksbill turtles, bluestripe snappers and guitar sharks (if you’re not a shark person, never fear, these stay near the sandy bottom). Skipjack 1 and 2 are two stunning wreck dives, where you can spot translucent “glassy fish”, damsels and butterflyfish. To help you make the most of the dives in this atoll, the Kanahura resort has previously offered special diving courses like nitrox diving and night dives.
Across in Noonu atoll, the highlight is perhaps the Soneva Jani’s Soleni dive centre – which has a recommended site for just about every level of experience or preference; second-time divers, quiet types, anemone lovers... To make your diving week super productive, check if they still offer special courses in taking stunning underwater videos.
Casual snorkelling in house reefs is another way to get in on the underwater action and less of a commitment than full-on scuba. Resorts without reefs just offshore in these parts, like the Finolhu and Atmosphere Kanifushi, tend to make up for it with free guided snorkel safaris, including to the famed Hanifaru Bay, along with GoPro rentals and video services.
If you’re here between June and October—when peak plankton levels draw in the mantas—check whether your resort offers a Manta On-Call service. You’ll be alerted when rays are sighted nearby and can rush off by speedboat to see them.
Surfing in the Northern Atolls
Surfing is rarer in the northern atolls than those further south, some would say impossible – but don’t listen to them. When the swells are right, the surf in Baa can be spectacular and in Noonu, the Soneva Jani has been known to offer boards, instruction and surfari tours across the region. As these northern atolls are too far from many surfing “liveaboard” boats’ normal courses, you’ll often find the swells are yours and yours alone.
Thirteen named breaks in the Baa atoll include Kudadhdhoo and some excellent reef passes at Hithaadhoo and Olhugiri, but for the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, 13 breaks simply weren’t enough. This resort has previously offered boats which especially churn up waves to make sure guests have surfing options. In years past, it’s also offered seaplane surf tours, so you can hunt down the region’s biggest waves from the skies, a fairly fantastic day out.
Expect the biggest swells in these atolls between the months of June and September, which also happens to be low season, so you can catch some impressive deals.
Windsurfing & kitesurfing in the Northern Atolls
In the right winds, the Maldives’ lagoons are the perfect places to pick up windsurfing tricks and most of the northern resorts offer equipment free of charge. The Finolhu and Amilla Fushi have been known to hire VDWS-certified instructors at their watersports centres, who can get you up and riding in no time with courses of around 10 hours for beginners and 4-6 for the more advanced. If you already have some surfing experience under your belt, these resorts have also previously offered windsurfing tours to deserted local lagoons and bays for a fairly thrilling day out.
Kitesurfing is rarer in this region, mostly only possible if you bring your own equipment, but kites and boards have previously been offered at the Four Seasons Landaa Giravaaru in the Baa atoll, where resident experts can also show you the ropes on the huge 2 km house lagoon.
And the surfing and sailing opportunities don’t stop there. With everything from wakeboarding, kneeboarding and parasailing to jetpacks and jet blades (jet packs for your feet…), practically annually, resorts dream up new ways for guests to launch themselves through and above the water at speed.
Sailing in the Northern Atolls
Sailing is an all-Maldivian experience in the north and many resorts offer excursions in traditional vessels called dhonis, hand-crafted from dark coconut wood. From your resort, you can set sail on a dhoni at sunset for a romantic experience that will be hard to top (think Champagne, canapés and lots of brownie points with a loved one). Alternatively, pick up a new life skill by booking yourself in for a dhoni fishing excursion, when local experts will teach you traditional bottom-line fishing techniques and chefs back home will clean, slice and season your catch to perfection for dinner. Note that some boats prefer a practice of catch and release. It’s worth checking your resort’s preference before you book.
To up the adrenaline, see if your resort offers catamarans like Topcat K2s, traditionally available at the Four Seasons, Amilla Fushi and Soneva Jani. Seating up to 4, these are a safe yet thrilling way for the family to explore the high seas together, even if you’re all first-time sailors. Speedboat and jetski tours offer other speedier options to cover some serious ground at your own speed. The Finolhu’s tours have previously targeted pods of dolphins, letting you ride among the graceful mammals as they dive in and out of the water.
Fishing in the Northern Atolls
Fishing isn’t widely welcomed up north in the Maldives, where resorts are mighty proud of their diverse fish populations. Fly fishing is outright banned throughout the UNESCO-protected Baa atoll. Still, resorts in Lhaviyani and Noonu sometimes offer designated fly fishing zones. Last time we checked, the Atmosphere Kanifushi permitted fishing in shallows packed with trevally.
For fishing you can tell your friends back home about, big-game expeditions are what it’s all about. These are expensive unless shared, but all who’ve been agreed, worth it if you’re into angling. Most resorts can arrange trips, letting you head out on the high seas at dawn to battle sailfish, wahoo, giant trevally and other hulking creatures from a fighting chair (many take more than half an hour to reel in). To up your chances of reeling in a real giant, November to March are the best months to travel. But be sure to check whether your boat favours a practice of catch and release before you book if that’s going to be an issue.
Canoeing & kayaking in the Northern Atolls
The house lagoons in the northern atolls are some of the biggest around and kayaking on these can be more relaxing than an hour at the spa. When kayaks and paddleboards are complimentary in many of the resorts, there’s no excuse not to.
At the Soneva Jani, kayaks are often used to get across the Edufaaru lagoon (officially THE largest in the Maldives) to the spa and guests have been encouraged to look for a mysterious flamingo while kayaking along the south beach here…
For a fun kayaking trip that puts your couple's coordination to the test, see if your resort offers tandem 2-person kayaks – many here do – or guided kayaking tours for a special way to get to know your local lagoons.
Land activities
Golf in the Northern Atolls
When a country’s only 2% land, championship golf courses can be hard to come by. But if the prospect of hanging up your clubs for a week have you clinging to your golf caddy, consider setting your sights on resorts in atolls further south, which have more extensive golfing options. The Shangri La Villingili, in the southernmost Maldivian atoll, has a 9-hole green where you can practice your swing in cooling sea breezes (though at 1000 ft in length, don’t expect hours and hours of play).
Down in the Southern Atolls of Dhaalu and Laamu, golf simulators at several resorts offer a novel way to practice your swing (also letting you forego the sunglass tan).
Cycling & mountain biking in the Northern Atolls
With some of the biggest islands in the Maldives (the Soneva Jani’s Medhufaru and Atmosphere Kanifushi islands are both 4km in circumference), many of the resorts in the northern atolls provide bikes for rent, if not complimentary, allowing you to get out and explore. A great way to get acquainted with your surroundings, these will also get you to the beach, pool or bar in double time and with a cooling breeze. Some resorts require you to book your bikes, so be sure to do so upon arrival to ensure bikes aren’t all booked up.
As even the longest islands are only about 15 minutes ride from end to end, if you’re looking to get sweaty, a stationary exercise bike is a probably better bet. Good thing that almost without exception, resorts have super-modern gyms with cycles where you can get in shape for your next Giro d’Italia.
Walking & hiking in the Northern Atolls
As the northern atolls and the Maldives’ biggest islands can all be walked across in flip flops, there’s no need to pack blister plasters. But the lush island forestry and interesting local wildlife here still demand exploration. Many resorts offer maps marking out their island’s best nature trails and often provide little extras like insect repellent. Offering some of the most extensive trails in these parts, the Soneva Jani has spread over 5 islands, has 4 lakes and a spectacular family of birds and giant crabs, making it ideal for intrepid explorers.
When walking on beaches, look out for shells and broken coral for mementoes, but leave conches in peace – crabs often make their homes in these and don’t take too kindly to interruption.
Strikeout further afield by joining excursions to local villages like Kudarikilu (Baa), Landhoo (Noonu) and Naifaru or Kurendhoo (Lhaviyani), where you can stroll through charming fishing villages and take tours of historic tombs and mosques.
