North Malé Atoll.

The first resorts, the airport on the doorstep, and the most accessible surf.

Atoll by atoll

EquatorNorth MaléMalé

At a glance

At a glanceNorth Malé
WhereAround the airport and Malé
ResortsWith South Malé, the most of any atoll
Getting thereSpeedboat; about 25 minutes for some resorts
Under waterBanana Reef, Lankan Manta Point, the Maldives Victory wreck
SurfThe most accessible breaks in the country
SuitsFirst visits, short stays, late arrivals, surfers

Where it is

North Malé is the northern part of Kaafu Atoll, which also takes in South Malé. The airport and the capital, Malé, are on its doorstep. The country’s first resorts opened here in 1972, and together North and South Malé have more resorts than any other atoll.

Getting there

Most resorts are a short speedboat ride from the airport, about 25 minutes for some, with no seaplane or domestic flight to fit around. That makes North Malé a good choice when a flight lands late.

Under water

Some of the most popular dive sites in the country are here. Banana Reef has been protected since 1995. Mantas visit the cleaning station at Lankan Manta Point in the southwest monsoon. The Maldives Victory, a cargo ship that struck the reef near the airport in 1981, is a deeper wreck dive.

Surf

North Malé has the most accessible surf in the Maldives, with breaks such as Cokes, Chickens, Jailbreaks and Sultans along the eastern rim of the atoll; Cokes and Chickens are off the local island of Thulusdhoo. The season runs from about mid-February to November, at its best from March to May and from September to November.

Who it suits

A stay here suits a first visit, a short stay or a late flight: resorts are reached by speedboat, some in about 25 minutes, so the holiday starts sooner. Surfers have the most accessible breaks in the country. Our pick of North Malé’s resorts is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.

Where to stay

Our pick of resorts in North Malé.

Each one, and what it is known for.

  • The island, its broad white beach and jetty, from the airVabbinfaru

    Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

    A marine lab on the island, restoring coral since 2004.

    Photo © Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
  • The island and a ring of overwater villas, from the airBaros

    Baros Maldives

    Private dinners on the Piano Deck over the lagoon, or on a secluded sandbank.

    Photo © Baros Maldives
  • Overwater villas on stilts, with steps into the lagoonThe Atollia

    Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

    Guests can use two resorts, across one multi-island setting.

    Photo © Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
  • A pool complex with water slides and thatched dome pavilions among palms, from the airThe Atollia

    Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

    An underwater-themed resort with a large outdoor water complex.

    Photo © Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
  • An infinity pool and loungers at dusk, with overwater villas beyondGiraavaru

    Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

    Adults only, with 140 villas on the beach and over the water.

    Photo © Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
  • The island, its sandbank and rows of water villas, from the airBoduhithi

    Coco Bodu Hithi

    98 villas on an island 410 metres long, with its own house reef.

    Photo © Coco Bodu Hithi
  • A kayak over the house reef just off the beach, from directly aboveIhuru

    Dhawa Ihuru

    A house reef steps from your villa, and a wreck to dive.

    Photo © Dhawa Ihuru
  • A speedboat leaving the resort jetty, from the airFeydhoo Finolhu

    dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives

    A 7-minute speedboat ride from the airport, and an overwater chef’s table.

    Photo © dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives
  • The island and its rows of overwater villas, from the airKuda Huraa

    Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

    A naturopathy spa on its own island, two minutes away by boat.

    Photo © Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
  • Thatched overwater villas along a wooden walkwayLankanfushi

    Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

    A 1,700-square-metre overwater villa, reached only by boat.

    Photo © Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
  • An arc of overwater villas off the island, from the airKodhipparu

    Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives

    A restaurant with a glass floor, for dinner above the house reef.

    Photo © Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
  • A beach pool villa at dusk, with a hanging swing bedKohdhipparu Lagoon

    Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa

    A pool bar with a cocktail lab, and a rooftop lounge just for teenagers.

    Photo © Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
  • The island, its beach and overwater villas, from the airNakatchafushi

    Huvafen Fushi

    A spa under the water, with views across the reef.

    Photo © Huvafen Fushi
  • A speedboat curving past the island and its water villasJoy Island

    Joy Island Resort Maldives by Cocoon

    A butterfly-shaped island of 151 villas, 60 of them over the water.

    Photo © Joy Island Resort Maldives by Cocoon
  • Beach villas with pools among the palms, from the airOlhahali

    Jumeirah Olhahali Island

    A private sandbank a few minutes from the island.

    Photo © Jumeirah Olhahali Island
  • A round spa building, beach and water villas, from the airKagi

    Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa

    50 pool villas, with a 360-degree house reef a step away.

    Photo © Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa
  • Beach villas with pools along a curving white beach, from the airKudavillingili

    Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives

    A 150-metre pool, and direct access to the Chickens surf break.

    Photo © Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives
  • The island across the sea, with a sailing dhoni in frontMakunudhoo

    Makunudu Island

    Next to Turtle Point, with daily chances to see hawksbill turtles.

    Photo © Makunudu Island
  • The small round island, its beach and jetty, from the airKuda Bandos

    Malahini Kuda Bandos

    A treetop restaurant five metres up, overlooking the lagoon.

    Photo © Malahini Kuda Bandos
  • A row of overwater villas off the beachMeerufenfushi

    Meeru Maldives Resort Island

    Its own museum of Maldivian history, and a nine-hole pitch-and-putt course.

    Photo © Meeru Maldives Resort Island
  • The island ringed by its reef and lagoon, from high aboveVihamanaafushi

    Niva Kurumba Maldives

    Seven restaurants, and live bands, DJs and Bodu Beru drumming every night.

    Photo © Niva Kurumba Maldives
  • A painted swimming pool among palms, from directly aboveMaaranfushi

    Oaga Art Resort

    Over 350 hand-painted murals, and sessions with resident artists.

    Photo © Oaga Art Resort
  • The island and its overwater villas, from the airHelengeli

    OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO

    On the atoll’s edge, with channels on either side for diving.

    Photo © OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
  • A beach and jetty, with a boat in the lagoonLobigili

    OBLU SELECT Lobigili

    Couples-first, with an underwater restaurant on the island.

    Photo © OBLU SELECT Lobigili
  • The two islands and their arcs of overwater villas, from high aboveSangeli

    OBLU SELECT Sangeli

    Two islands joined by overwater villas, one of them adults only.

    Photo © OBLU SELECT Sangeli
  • Rows of overwater villas, from the airAilafushi

    OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi

    A family island, joined by a 270-metre jetty to its neighbour.

    Photo © OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
  • The island and its water villas, from the airMedhufinolhu

    One&Only Reethi Rah

    Twelve secret beaches to cycle between, along palm-shaded paths.

    Photo © One&Only Reethi Rah
  • An overwater villa seen from the lagoonFari Veli Huraa

    Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

    Skyspace, an art structure that explores space and light.

    Photo © Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
  • A ring-shaped spa over the lagoon, with a curve of overwater villas behindFari Islands

    The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

    A ring-shaped spa over the lagoon, with nine treatment rooms.

    Photo © The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
  • The island and its long row of water villas, from the airFuranafushi

    Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

    A spa on its own private island, with six treatment villas.

    Photo © Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
  • The heart-shaped island and its water villas, from the airHembadhu

    Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives

    A heart-shaped island, with a shipwreck to dive on its doorstep.

    Photo © Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives
  • The island and its loops of overwater villas, from high aboveMadivaru

    VARU by Atmosphere

    A restaurant modelled on a traditional Maldivian dining house.

    Photo © VARU by Atmosphere
  • An infinity pool lined with palms at sunsetLankanfinolhu

    Villa Nautica Paradise Island

    Yacht-inspired, 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport.

    Photo © Villa Nautica Paradise Island

Questions

Asked about North Malé.

How far is North Malé from the airport?

Most resorts are a short speedboat ride away, about 25 minutes for some.

Is North Malé good for surfing?

Yes. It has the most accessible surf in the country, along the eastern rim of the atoll, from about mid-February to November.

What if my flight lands late?

An island reached by speedboat, such as one in North Malé, is the simplest choice, as seaplanes fly in daylight only.

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