Best Things To Do in the Southern Atolls

Hithadhoo in Laamu Atoll is an inhabited island overgrown with vegetation and mangroves. To the north of the island is Addu Nature Park that consists of a huge wetland area - the second-largest in all the Maldives. The area is so big that it encircles Eedhigali Kilhi lake. If a beach is what you desire, visit Usgandu Beach or Kanibhaa Beach, located on the West and East coasts, respectively.

One of the biggest cities for miles around, Kudahuvadhoo, the capital of Dhaalu atoll is home to 2,500 people, meaning plenty of shops and streets to potter around in, aside from the domestic airport you’ll use for transfers from Malé. Head over from Dhaalu resorts for a taste of local life and don’t miss the island’s mosque, which the Norwegian explorer who excavated most of the Maldives’ mosques claimed was its most gorgeous.

Steeped with a rich history and nurturing culture, Addu (also known locally as Seenu) is the secondmost populated centre in this nation. This Atoll is composed of four connected islands. Each of these islands treasures something for everyone - exquisite bird watching, island hopping, striking scenery and spectacular water exploration – the snorkelling will take your breath away!

Not to be confused with the islands of the same name in the Laamu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls, Addu’s Gan island has a far more colonial feel than anywhere else in the country. Head here on a day trips from the Shangri La Villingili, pick up souvenirs in the bustling Feydhoo harbour and pedal a bike along one of the country’s longest roads – the dreamy 14km Gan-Hithadhoo causeway.

The largest inhabited island in the country, this Laamu Atoll island is connected by a causeway which is also the country's longest - 18km between the islands of Gan, Maandhoo, Kadhdhoo and Fonadhoo. Hop across from Laamu resorts like the Six Senses Laamu and you can cycle these scenic coasts, check out the ruins of the Gamu Haiytheli Buddhist temple and indulge a Star Wars fan. This and the nearby island of Baresdhoo were the filming locations for the tropical island of Scarif in Star Wars movie Rogue One. Last time we checked, the Reveries Dining Village rented bikes.

Nothing compares to an invigorating day at the beach! Soak up the sunshine on Fuvahmulah's beloved beach. Its brilliant white sands and aquamarine bays make this beach a favourite with tourists. The best time to pick up your surfboard is from June to August.

Discover true Maldivian lifestyle and culture on a visit to this friendly isle. A Sultan once had his palace on this Thaa Atoll island, and you can still walk around the ruins today. Head over during the Eid al-Adha festival and you can witness the entrancing 'Dance of the Giant Being,' when locals dance in elaborate costumes to the beat of the boduberu drum by moonlight. Dhiyaminili's traditional livelihoods include carpentry, rope making, shell collecting, masonry and fishing, providing a glimpse into island life.

The calm, warm waters of the southern Maldives teem with marvellous marine creatures and dazzling coral creating a diving paradise like no other. Prepare to dive into an unknown world populated by eagle rays, napoleons and much more! Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and Nilhande atoll are among the best places for water sports.

Legend has it that the Sultan’s head jeweller was banished to Rinbudhoo some centuries ago for stealing gold from the royal treasury. To earn his keep, the exiled craftsman passed on his trade to the islanders, and they’ve continued passing it on for generations. True or not, this island is something of a treasure trove. You’ll find necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings handmade by methods used centuries ago, involving tiny anvils and a kerosene lamp. When you’ve purchased enough treasures, you can spend time in the village learning about Maldivian life, watching locals weaving mats from rope and coconut leaves and practising boduberu drums.