At a glance
| At a glance | South Ari |
|---|---|
| Where | South-west of Malé; the southern part of Ari |
| Getting there | Seaplane, about 25 to 45 minutes; or a flight to Maamigili, then a speedboat |
| Under water | Whale sharks all year; Kudarah Thila; hawksbill turtles |
| On land | Local islands beside the whale shark area |
| Suits | Snorkellers and divers who want to see whale sharks |
Where it is
South Ari is the southern part of Ari, divided from the north as an administrative atoll in 1984. It is one of the largest resort areas in the country.
Getting there
Resorts are reached by seaplane, in about 25 to 45 minutes, or by a short domestic flight to Maamigili and then a speedboat. Seaplanes fly in daylight only; Seaplane or speedboat? explains more.
Whale sharks
The South Ari Marine Protected Area, around the southern end of the atoll, was established in 2009, and is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks are seen all year; August to November is often named as the best time. Resorts in the atoll run trips to see them, and so do nearby local islands such as Dhigurah, Dhangethi and Maamigili. Whale sharks has the rules for swimming with them.
Under water
Kudarah Thila has been protected since 1995 and Rangali Kandu since 1999, and hawksbill turtles are often seen at Kahambu Thila.
On land
Four local islands face the protected whale shark area: Dhigurah, Dhidhdhoo, Maamigili and Fenfushi, and Dhigurah has a sandbank. Buddhist remains, including a stupa, have been found on Ariadhoo.
Who it suits
A stay here suits snorkellers and divers who want to swim with whale sharks, which are seen here all year; the trips take snorkellers as well as divers. Our pick of South Ari’s resorts is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.
