At a glance
| At a glance | Laamu |
|---|---|
| Where | About halfway between Malé and Addu |
| Getting there | Seaplane; or a flight to Kadhdhoo, then a speedboat |
| Under water | Mantas all year; turtles; protected seagrass and nesting areas |
| On land | Isdhoo’s mosque, built in 1701 |
| Suits | Space, nature, surf, diving |
Where it is
Laamu lies about halfway between Malé and Addu, a large, open atoll mostly rimmed by barrier reefs, with many islands along its eastern and southern edges. Its capital is Fonadhoo.
Getting there
Resorts are reached by seaplane, or by a domestic flight to Kadhdhoo, which has an airport in the atoll, and then a short speedboat. Laamu’s Gan, Fonadhoo and Kadhdhoo are joined by causeways. Seaplanes fly in daylight only; Seaplane or speedboat? explains more.
Under water
Mantas are seen in Laamu throughout the year, along with hawksbill and green turtles, reef sharks and rays, and dolphins are often seen.
In 2021, six areas were protected, among them the turtle-nesting beaches, mangroves and seagrass of Gaadhoo, the most important nesting island for green turtles in the country.
Surf
Yin Yang is Laamu’s well-known surf break.
On land
The old mosque on Isdhoo was built in 1701. A copper-plate book dated 1194, the oldest of its kind found in the Maldives, was found on the island, and Buddha images and an ancient artificial mound have been found there too.
Who it suits
A stay here suits travellers who want space and nature: mantas all year, turtles, surf and diving. Our pick is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.
