At a glance
| At a glance | Gaafu Dhaalu |
|---|---|
| Where | The deep south, about 340 km south of Malé |
| Getting there | A domestic flight of about an hour, then a speedboat |
| Under water | Deep channels; Dhigulaabadhoo, protected since 2018 |
| Surf | Uncrowded breaks on Huvadhoo’s southern rim |
| Suits | Surfers, experienced divers, privacy |
Where it is
Gaafu Dhaalu is the south-western part of Huvadhoo, about 340 km south of Malé. It has 153 islands, ten of them inhabited. Its capital is Thinadhoo.
Getting there
Three domestic airports serve the atoll: Kaadedhdhoo, Faresmaathoda and Maavarulu. The flight from Malé takes about an hour, followed by a speedboat to the island.
Under water
Huvadhoo’s deep channels bring reef sharks, dolphins and larger fish, and suit experienced divers. Dhigulaabadhoo has been a protected area since 2018.
Surf
Huvadhoo has some of the best waves in the Maldives, and most of its surf points are on the southern rim, in Gaafu Dhaalu, among them Beacons, Tiger Stripes, Castaways and Blue Bowls. They are usually uncrowded.
On land
Fares and Maathoda, two local islands, have been joined by a causeway since 1981.
Who it suits
A stay here suits surfers, experienced divers and couples after privacy, in the deep south. Our pick of Gaafu Dhaalu’s resorts is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.
