© Lonely Planet 143 Northern Atolls The least developed region of the Maldives, the Northern Atolls are pure tropical island escapism territory. While traditionally the tourism zone has only ever included the three atolls directly to the north of North Male’ Atoll, there are another six even further north that have been gradually opening up to tourism as new islands are earmarked for development by the government. These atolls remain almost totally unknown by foreigners, and this is a great place to visit for a taste of untouched, traditional Maldivian life. Maldivian history owes much to this part of the country – Mohammed Thakurufaanu, the man who drove the Portuguese out in the 16th century, was born on the island of Utheemu in Haa Alif Atoll, which remains a place of historical pilgrimage today for Maldivians who come to see his small wooden mansion. There’s also huge diving potential throughout the region; there are wrecks along the western fringe of the atolls, but these are only now being properly explored and documented. In the Northern Atolls there are only 16 functioning resorts at present, making this an uncrowded and truly remote part of the country to visit. Tourism is slowly set to expand here, with a number of islands earmarked for development in previously tourist-free Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani Atolls. About 200km beyond Ihavandhippolhu Atoll, at the country’s northern tip, lie the Lak- shadweep Islands, which have had a long association with the Maldives. Formerly known as NORTHERN ATOLLS the Laccadives, these islands are now Indian territory, but geologically they are part of the mostly submerged Laccadive-Chagos ridge that underlies all of the Maldives and extends down to the Chagos Archipelago. HAA ALIF The second northernmost island, Uligamu Traditionally known as Ihavandhippolhu (population 267) is the ‘clear-in’ port for and North Thiladhunmathee Atolls, the private yachts – it has health and immigra- very northern tip of the Maldives is generally tion officers as well as National Security known to one and all as Haa Alif Atoll, even Service (NSS) personnel, so yachts should though this refers to an administrative dis- be able to complete all formalities here trict that actually comprises the small, trap- (see p181). Following a feasibility study, ezoid-shaped Ihavandhippolhu Atoll and the government has decided to establish a the northern tip of North Thiladhunmathee yacht marina in the Northern Atolls, but Atoll, which together have 16 inhabited is- Uligamu has been ruled out for financial lands and a population of just under 14,000. and environmental reasons. On Minicoy, the largest island of the Lak- The capital island is Dhidhdhoo (popula- shadweep Islands, people speak a language tion 2500), which offers good anchorage for very similar to Divehi and readily under- passing yachts. Huvarafushi, the next largest stand the Maldivian language themselves. island (population 2200), is noted for its 144 NORTERN ATOLLS lonelyplanet.com 0 50 km NORTHERN ATOLLS 0 30 miles ACB D Uligamu IHAVANDHIPPOLHU Administrative Districts ATOLL Tourism Zone 1 1 ὄὄHuvarafushiὄHAA ALIF ὄ Kelaa Dhidhdhoo NORTH 45m THILADHUNMATHEE Gallandhoo Kandu ATOLL 4 2 Utheemu Alidhoo Faridhoo SOUTH Hondaafushi Hanimaadhoo THILADHUNMATHEE ATOLL SLEEPING Naagoashi Nolhivaramfaru Beach House at Manafaru...............1 B1 ὄὄὄὄ Cinnamon Island Resort & Spa........2 B1 Kudamuraidhoo Nolhivaram 45m Irufushi Beach & Spa Resort...........3 C4 HAA Kulhuduffushi Island Hideaway..............................4 B1 2 DHAAL Kumundhoo Zitahli Kuda-Fanafaru Maldives......5 C4 Vaikaradhoo I N D I A N Zitahli Resort & Spa Dholhiyadhoo MAAMAKUNUDHOO Maldives.....................................6 B3 ATOLL Kanditheemu O C E A N ὄὄMakunudhoo ὄ Nalandhoo Gaakoshibi Narudhoo Maakadoodhoo SHAVIYANI NORTH Farukolhu Funadhoo 3 MILADHUNMADULU Kambaalifaru ATOLL 82m ὄὄὄὄVagaruὄ Eththigili 6 Alifushi Ekulhivaru SOUTH NOONU 5 Landhoo MILADHUNMADULU ATOLL ὄὄRasgetheemuὄὄMaavelavaru ὄ Huvandhumaavattaru Maanenfushi 4 Gaaundoodhoo Holhudhoo Manadhoo 45m 3 RAA 45m Lundhufushi Ugoofaaru Velidhoo Randheli Kandholhudhoo Innamaadhoo NORTH Baraveli Kandu MAALHOSMADULUὄὄὄὄὄὄὄὄ ATOLL Iguraidhoo Hinnavaru 107m FAADHIPPOLHU Kinolhas ATOLL Naifaru LHAVIYANI 5 Maafilaafushi NORTHERN ATOLLS Kurendhoo ὄὄὄὄὄὄὄὄOlhuvelifushi SOUTH MAALHOSMADULU ATOLL Dharavandhoo 107m Eydhafushi BAA Thulhaadhoo See Northern Tourism Zone Map (p148) 57m 6 ὄὄὄὄὄKaashidhoo Fulhadhoo Goidhoo KAAFU GOIDHOO ATOLL To Male' ὄὄὄὄὄὄ Gaafaru (70km).