At a glance
| At a glance | North Ari |
|---|---|
| Where | West of Malé; the northern part of Ari |
| Getting there | A short seaplane flight, or speedboat |
| Under water | Fish Head and Maaya Thila; sharks around Rasdhoo |
| On land | Mathiveri’s old mosque; Buddhist remains on Maalhos |
| Suits | Divers, a quiet stay |
Where it is
North Ari is the northern part of Ari, one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, west of Malé. It was formed as an administrative atoll in 1984 from the north of Ari, the small atoll of Rasdhoo and the island of Thoddoo.
Getting there
Resorts are reached by a short seaplane flight or by speedboat. Public ferries also run from Malé to islands in Ari through the week. Seaplanes fly in daylight only; Seaplane or speedboat? explains more.
Under water
North Ari is known for its dives on coral pinnacles, called thilas. Fish Head, where grey reef sharks circle the pinnacle, and Maaya Thila, a popular night dive, have both been protected since 1995. The waters around Rasdhoo are known among divers for reef sharks and big open-water fish.
On land
Many islands here have been inhabited since ancient times, and Buddhist remains have been found on Maalhos. On Mathiveri, the old mosque, the Aasaaree Miskiy, dates from 1733, and a great banyan tree is said to be more than 200 years old. Bodufolhudhoo is known as one of the most environmentally friendly islands in the atoll.
Who it suits
A stay here suits divers, with Fish Head and Maaya Thila in the atoll, and couples who want a calm island a short seaplane flight from the airport. For families, some resorts here suit children better than others. Our pick of North Ari’s resorts is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.
