© Lonely Planet 195 Index See also separate index for Resorts (p198)

A Buddhism 18-19 British Loyalty Wreck 165 Aarah 110 in Ari Atoll 131, 134 Broken Rock 135 accommodation 169-70, see also in North & South Male’ Atolls 124 Colosseum 113 choosing a resort in northern atolls 146 Devana Kandu 156 activities 55-6, see also diving, in southern atolls 162, 163, 165 Dhidhdhoo Beyru 135 kitesurfing, snorkelling, Buruni 161 Dhigali Haa 150 surfing, water sports business hours 170 Ellaidhoo House Reef 134 Addu Atoll 164-8, 165 Embudhoo Express 75, 125, 74 air travel C Fesdhoo Island House Reef INDEX airlines 179 children, travel with 41, 66, 103, 170-1 (W Retreat & Spa) 75 charter airlines 179-80 choosing a resort 53-66 Fesdu Wreck 134 to/from the 179-80 climate 171, see also weather Filitheyo Reef 159 within the Maldives 181-2 conservation, see environment Fish Head 134 Al Barbary, Abul Barakat Yoosuf consulates 172 Fotteyo 156-7 18, 100 coral 46-8 Fushi Kandu 160 alcohol 40, 173 coral bleaching 48, 85 Fushifaru Thila 153 149 coral cuts 184 Giant Clam 157 Andre, Andreas 19 costs 13-14, 57 Kandu 125-6 animals 44-6, see also marine life, courses 72, 81, 171 Halaveli Wreck 134 turtles crafts 36-8 Hans Hass Place 102 archaeology, see Heyerdahl, Thor credit cards 174 Helengeli Thila 113 architecture 36 culture 26-34 HP Reef 113 Ari Atoll 134-42, 132 cultural considerations 39, 41 Kakani Thila 150 art galleries, see also museums customs regulations 171 Kani Corner 113 National Art Gallery, Male’ 100 cycling 108, 168 Kuda Giri 125 artificial beach, Male’ 101 Kuda Kandu 75, 165, 75 arts 35-8, see also architecture, crafts, D Kudarah Thila 135 dance, literature, visual arts dance 35 Kuramathi House Reef 133 atolls 45, 47 dangers 171-2 Kuredhoo Express 152-3 ATMs 174 Darwin, Charles 47 Lankan Caves 113 day trips 56 Lion’s Head 102 B decompression sickness 83-4 Maa Kandu 165 Baa 150-2 desalination 50 Maaya Thila 75, 134, 74 beaches 66, 76-7, 76-7 Dhaalu 159-60, 161 Macro Spot 160 Bell, HCP 18, 162, 164, 165 Dhekunuboduveli 158 Madi Finolhu 150 bends, see decompression sickness 162 Maldives Victory wreck 103 bicycle travel, see cycling Dhidhdhoo 143 Manta Point 113 birds 45 111-13 Manta Reef 134-5 bleaching, see coral Dhiyamigili 161 Milaidhoo Reef 150 boat travel 182, see also dhoni, dhoni 29, 182 Muthafushi Thila 150 ferries, vedhi Dhoonidhoo 110 Nassimo Thila 113 safari boats 64-5 Didi, Abdulla Afif 22, see also southern Okobe Thila 113 Bodufinolhu 162 rebellion Orimas Thila 134 Boli 157 Didi, Mohammed Amin 21 Panetone 134 books 14-16, 35-6 disabilities, travellers with 177 Peak 113 bookshops 94 dive sites 70-1, 72, 75 Kandu 157 Aquarium 113 Madivaru 75, 133 000 Map pages Banana Reef 113-14 Rasfari 113 000 Photograph pages Blue Canyon 113 Shark Point, Addu Atoll 165 Bodu Hithi Thila 4, 113 Shark Point, North Male’ Atoll 113 INDEX exchange rates, 150 Eththigili 149 environment 43-52 63-4 entertainment endangered species45-6 dolphin-watching 49,59 documents, diving 55,69-85 Divehi language185-6 166-7 182 ferries Fenfushi 134 Felivaru 152 156 fauna 44-6, Farukolhu 147 Faridhoo 146 Faafu 158-9, F emergencies 95, Embudhoofushi 160 embassies 172 175 electricity Elaa 161 149 Ekulhivaru education 27-8 16,55 ecotourism economy 28-9 E 40, drinks 196 000 000 environmental issues50-2 front cover seasons 72 responsible diving84-5 insurance 84 health considerations82-4 equipment 81-2 emergencies 84 106 dive shops,Male’ 69-70 dive safaris courses 72,81,171 Velassaru Caves125 157 Vattaru Kandu Vaagali Caves125 Caves125 Two Brothers159 Shipyard 75,153,74 Shark’s Tongue157

Map pages Map Photograph pages Index (D-I) see also see also see 161 passports, visas passports, see see also alcohol,water,wine

marine life marine inside frontcover

inside fish 48,78-80,86-9, fish-spotters’ guide78-9,86-9, 100 Male’ fish market, Guraidhoo, Thaa161 Atoll125 Guraidhoo, SouthMale’ 125 99 Mosque,Male’ Grand Friday 150 Gnaviyani 163-4 global warming12,51 giris 71, giris geology 44,47 geography 43-4 Abdul11,22-5 Maumoon Gayoom, gay travellers172 158 Gasveli 162 Gasgandufinolhu 166 Memorial AdduAtoll165 Gan, Dhaal163 Gaaf Gan, Laamu 162 Gan, 163 149 Gaaundoodhoo Falhu 125 Gaarfaru 111 Gaamaadhoo 147 Gaakoshibi Dhaal163 Gaaf Alif162 Gaaf G football, food 39-42 162 flora 46 FIT 15 fishing Haa Dhaal146 Haa Alif143-6 H 163-4 Fuvahmulah Funamudua 162 Funadhoo, Shaviyani147 Funadhoo, 110 Male’ Fully IndependentTravellers15 156 150 Mosque,Isdhoo162 Friday rays, sharks,whalesharks atoll formation47 food41,65 vegetarian food59-63 resort food glossary42 recreational 56 commercial 51 see also see sports divesites 78-80

see also 78-9

history 18-25 152 111 Thor14,18,21,98,147, Heyerdahl, health 183-4 house reefs, 103-4 hotels, Male’ honeymoon 53,54-5,63 Hondaafushi 146 holidays 172-3 147 AdduAtoll 166-7 , Laamu162 Hithadhoo, independent travel, illicit drugs173 Iguraidhoo 149 I Huvarafushi 143-5 Huvandhumaavattaru 149 111 167 Hulhumale’ 109 Hulhule’ 108 Hulhudheli 160 Hukuru Miskiiy, Miskiiy, Hukuru island tours, 99 Islamic Centre, Male’ Islam 30-4 162 internet insurance 149 inhabited islands8,170 southern rebellion 22,162, 22 Republic Independence19-20 Protected influence19 Portuguese Indian Oceantsunami24-5 conversion toIslam18-19 influence21-2 British 24 Black Friday 25 2008 elections 159, 162,163,164 vaccinations 183 183 medical services insurance 173 decompression sickness83-4 Mosque, Male’ resources 16 access 173 diving 84 travel 173,183 Independent Travellers 163, 164 see see snorkelling, diving snorkelling, daytrips see Old Friday OldFriday see Fully INDEX

197 subindex

see also

6 7 Resorts Thilafushi see see also Index (J-S)Index boat travel water sports see see resort meal packages 62-3 resort ratings 60-1 resort types 53-9 at resorts 59-63 in Male’ 104-6 Ari Atoll 134 Male’ 102 North Male’ 113 Atoll northern atolls 153 South Male’ Atoll 125-6 southern atolls 156-7, 159, 160 whale sharks sharks 6, 48-9, 80, 87, 184, responsible travel 16-17, 43 responsible restaurants Ribudhoo 160 room types 57 rubbish island, sailing, safari cruises 64-5, 170 seaplanes 7, 58, 181-2, sea travel, resorts 53-66, S R Raa 149-50 radio 175 Rakeedhoo 156 Randheli 149 Rasdhoo Atoll 131-4 149 rays 49, 80, 88, 80 Redin people 18, 162 30-4 religion O Old Friday Male’ Mosque, 97-8 Olhugiri 161 Olhuveli 160 54 over-water villas P passports 179 people 26-8 permits 176-7 planning 13-17, 53-66 plants 46 politics 30 population 30 Portuguese influence 19 postal services 175 produce market, Male’ 100 Protected Marine 49 Areas Shaviyani 146-7 health 148 112 fish, rays, inside

inside

see also see see also rays see also see sharks, turtles, whale sharks getting around 108 getting & away 107-8 there getting information 94-7 islands around Male’ 108-10 sights & activities 97-101 shopping 106 sleeping 103-4 front cover front cover 174 ATMs cash 174 cards 174 credit 174 international transfers tipping 174 travellers cheques 174-5 Meeru Island Resort 116 museum National Museum, Male’ 98 markets, Male’ 100 marriage 173-4 ceremonies 175 measures Medhu Ziyaarath, Male’ 99-100 media 30, 175 medical services 183, maps 173 166-7 marine 46-9, life Meemu 157-8, 161 metric conversions, N Naagoashi 146 152 Nalandhoo 147 Narudhoo 147 Nasheed, Mohammed 11, 25 National Art Gallery, Male’ 100 National Museum, Male’ 98 national parks 49 158-9 Noonu 147-8 North Male’ Atoll 111-24, northern atolls 143-55 northern tourism zone 148, 147 manta rays, money 174-5, Moresby Channel 149 Moresby mosques, Male’ 100 Mudhdhoo 151 Muleeaage, Male’ 99-100 Muli 157 museums 8 , 98 , dive sites 95 see also eating 104-6 entertainment 106 Maafilaafushi 152 , Dhaalu 160 Maafushi, South Male’ Atoll 125 Maalefushi 161 Maamigili 134 162 Maanenfushi 149 Maavelavaru 149 158 Mahadhdhoo 162 134 Male’ 8, 93-108, M L Laamu 162 lacquer 37-8, 98, 150 51, 97, 109-10 land reclamation 147 language 185-6 legal matters 173 lesbian travellers 172 Lhaviyani 152-5 14-16, 35 literature 149 Lundhufushi 145 156 Kibidhoo 161 Kihavahuravalhi 151 149 kitesurfing 128, 150, 153 Kodey 162 Kolhuvaariyaafushi 157 Kondeymatheelaabadhu 162 Kudabandos 110 159 Kudamuraidhoo 146 Kudausfushi 158 Kudhoo 162 Kulhuduffushi 146 Kumundhoo 146 Kaadedhoo 163 124-5 Kalhufahalafushi 161 Kambaalifaru 147 Kandholhudhoo 149 Kanditheemu 147 kandus 71, K J 38 jewellery INDEX thilas 71, Thilafushi 110 Thiladhunmathee 20 171-2 theft Mohammed20,100 Thakurufaanu, Thaa 160-1 101 tetrapod monument,Male’ 175 television 176 telephone services taxis 108,182 T 89-91,111,117,118,119,163 surfing Sultan’s Park, 98 Male’ 34-5 sports speedboats, special events, spa treatments 58,65 southern rebellion 22,162-4 southern atolls156-68 Atoll125-30, South Male’ solo travellers175-6 soccer, 56-7,67-9 snorkelling 106 Shopping, Male’ shipwrecks 71-2 198 sustainable travel16-17,43 time 176 111 150 Thoddoo Atoll131 163 Thimarafushi 161 000 000 surfaris, surfaris, 106 shops,Male’ surf breaks 89,90,91, surf Utheem Shipyard wrecks 153 SS Seagull Persia Merchant Maldive Victory Liffey Lagan Bank Lady Christine wreck 125 Kuda Giri Hayston Halaveli Wreck 134 Fesdu wreck 134 Erlangen Corbin British Loyalty

Map pages Map Photograph pages see Index (S-Y) 159 150 see also sports 159 146 125 see see 125 162 safari cruises safari see boattravel 125 165 divesites holidays 103 146 90 126 visual arts 36 visual arts visas 177-8, 161 108 Viligili, Male’ Alif162 Viligili, Gaaf Veymandhoo 161 147 travelers41,65 vegetarian vedhi 151 Vakkaru 146 Vaikaradhoo Vagaru 147 Vaavu 156-7, Vaadhoo 163 V 145 Uligamu 143 Ugoofaaru 149 U tours, information96,176 tourist 51-2 tourism 100 Tomb ofMohammedThakurufaanu yachting 181 Y wrecks, women travellers178 32-3 women intheMaldives wine 40 windsurfing, wildlife 44-9 49,59 whale-watching 100-1 whale submarine weather 13, water villas54 58 water sports water 40,62 101-2, tour,Male’ walking W toilets 176 tipping 174 whale sharks68,71,80, weights 175 websites 16 45-6,80, turtles travel permits176-7 travel 179-82 water conservation 50 water conservation travel agencies96-7 cruises64-5 safari independent travel15 182 see see day trips, safari cruises safari daytrips, shipwrecks see also see also see 161 watersports 80 passports climate 80 102 Cocoa Island77,129, 124 Coco Palm Kudahithi Coco Palm DhuniKolhu77,151, Coco Palm Boduhithi122 119 Kani Club Med Club Faru 116-17 &Spa145 Cinnamon IslandResort Ellaidhoo135 Chaaya Reef Huraa157-8 Chaaya LagoonHakuraa Chaaya IslandDhonveli117-18 127 146 Beach HouseatManafaru Baros 121 Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru 122-3 141-2 Banyan Tree Madivaru 118-19 Bandos IslandResort Athuruga 137-8 Asdu SunIsland115 Angsana Velavaru 160 Angsana Ilhuru121 Angaga 136 Anantara Veli 129-30 Anantara Dhigu129-30 Alimatha Aquatic157 163 Alila VillasLonudhuahutta 162 Alila VillasHadahaa 149-50 Meedhupparu Adaaran Select HudhuranFushiAdaaran Select 119 Adaaran Prestige Vadoo 130 128 Adaaran ClubRannalhi Adaaran ClubBathala135-6 RESORTS Jumeirah Maldives (Bolifushi) 130 Maldives Jumeirah 138 Kudarah J Resort Handhufushi168 J Resort 145-6 Island Hideaway 147 Irufushi Beach&SpaResort Huvafen Fushi 124 Holiday Island137 Helengeli 115 Giravaru 114 138 IslandResort Gangehi 130 Fun IslandResort LandaaGiraavaru152 Four Seasons KudaHuraa8,121-2, Four Seasons Filitheyo 159 127 Fihalhohi Resort 117 Eriyadu Equator Village167-8 Embudu Village126-7 &Spa140 Diva Resort Dhoni Island141 157 Dhiggiri 141 Constance HalaveliResort Island139-40 Rangali Conrad Maldives 77 76 8 INDEX 199

6 Index (Resorts)Index Zitahli Resort & Spa Dholhiyadhoo 147 Twin Island 141 Vakarufalhi 141 130 Velassaru Island ResortVelidhu 137 133-4 Veligandu Vilamendhoo 136-7 Villivaru 130 Vilu Reef 160 W Retreat & Spa 140-1 Maldives 147 Zitahli Kuda-Fanafaru Soul Salus Fushi 162 Fushi Soul Salus Island Village 116 Summer Sun Island 137 Coral Reef 124 Taj Exotica 130 Taj Thudufushi 138 Thulhagiri 6, 114-15, 77 & Spa 120 Paradise Island 118 Paradise Raffles 163 Konottaa Rania Experience 159 Ranveli Beach Resort 136 Reethi Beach Resort 150 Rihiveli Beach Resort 128-9 Royal Island Resort 151 & Spa Shangri-la Vilingili Resort & Spa 168 Moon ResortSheraton Maldives Full Six Senses Latitude Laamu 162 151-2 Soneva Fushi Soneva Gili 123-4 Moofushi 141 Moofushi 130 Naladhu Nika 138-9 Island Spa 128 Olhuveli Beach & One & Only Reethi Rah 123 Beach ResortPalm 77, 153-4, 76 77 , 5 Mirihi 139 Kihaad 150-1 ResortKomandoo Island 154 Lagoon 133 Kuramathi Blue & Spa 133 Kuramathi Cottage 133 Kuramathi Village Island ResortKuredu 153 Kurumba Maldives 120 Lily Beach Resort 140 Maayafushi 135 Machchafushi Island Resort 141 Madoogali 136 Mahureva Gasfinolhu 124 Makunudu Island 119-20 Medhufushi 158 Meeru Island Resort 5, 77, 115-16, Kandooma 127-8 Kanuhura 77, 154-5, 200 LONELY PLANET OFFICES MAP LEGEND ROUTES Primary One-Way Street Australia Secondary Mall/Steps Head Office Tertiary Walking Tour Lane Walking Tour Detour Locked Bag 1, Footscray, Victoria 3011 Unsealed Road Track %03 8379 8000, fax 03 8379 8111 TRANSPORT [email protected] Ferry USA HYDROGRAPHY 150 Linden St, Oakland, CA 94607 River, Creek Water Reef %510 250 6400, toll free 800 275 8555 fax 510 893 8572 BOUNDARIES [email protected] International Tourism Zone Administrative Districts Marine Park UK AREA FEATURES 2nd fl, 186 City Rd, Airport Market London EC1V 2NT Area of Interest Park Beach, Desert Rocks %020 7106 2100, fax 020 7106 2101 Building Sports [email protected] Land POPULATION CAPITAL (NATIONAL) CAPITAL (Administrative District) SYMBOLS Published by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Sights/Activities Eating Information ABN 36 005 607 983 Beach Eating Bank, ATM Diving, Snorkelling Entertainment Embassy/Consulate © Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 2009 Hospital, Medical Islamic Entertainment Monument Information © photographers as indicated 2009 Shopping Internet Facilities Museum, Gallery Shopping Police Station Point of Interest Cover photograph: View from a beach to a bungalow in a lagoon, Sleeping Post Office Ruin Telephone Soneva Gili, North Male’ Atoll, Maldives, Isu/Getty Images. Many of Sleeping Surfing, Surf Beach Toilets the images in this guide are available for licensing from Lonely Planet Transport Geographic Sleeping Images: www.lonelyplanetimages.com. Resort Airport, Airfield Telecom Tower All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, and no part of this publication may be sold or hired, without the written permission of the publisher. Printed by SNP Security Printing Pte Ltd, Singapore. Printed in Singapore. Lonely Planet and the Lonely Planet logo are trademarks of Lonely Planet and are registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Lonely Planet does not allow its name or logo to be appropriated by commercial establishments, such as retailers, restaurants or hotels. © Lonely Planet. To make it easier for you Please let us know of any misuses: www.lonelyplanet.com/ip. to use, access to this chapter is not digitally restricted. In return, we think it’s fair to ask you to use it for personal, non-commercial purposes only. In other words, please don’t upload this chapter to a peer-to-peer site, mass Although the authors and Lonely Planet have taken email it to everyone you know, or resell it. all reasonable care in preparing this book, we make See the terms and conditions on our site for a no warranty about the accuracy or completeness of its content and, to the maximum extent permitted, longer way of saying the above - ‘Do the right disclaim all liability arising from its use. thing with our content.’