Ari Atoll travel guide

Everything You Need to Know about Ari Atoll


Book Your All Inclusive Vacation and save 25% in Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Maldives
Book Your All Inclusive Vacation and save 25% in Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Maldives

Oct, 2020

A home to LUX* South Ari Atoll, Ari Atoll also known as Alif or Alifu Atoll is one of the natural wonders of the Maldives. Being one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, it stretches from north to south in the western part of the Maldives archipelago in 30 minutes by seaplane from Male airport.

Ari Atoll is 89km in length and 30km in width and has 105 islands and is administratively divided into two parts: North Atoll Ari and South Ari Atoll. South Ari Atoll, a Protected Marine Area, remains one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks, which are spotted year-round on the outer reef, while North Ari Atoll is famous for its hammerhead sharks, although these are far more elusive and require deep diving to see. Most of the islands are home for the luxury resorts while others are uninhabited, the rest are inhabited by local residents. The main occupations of Ari Atoll are fishing, sailing, harvesting and processing of corals.

Accessible by public ferry, speedboat, seaplanes and domestic airlines from Male, Ari Atoll is home to many luxury hotels located on private islands with white beaches, turquoise waters and world-class diving. Recent years have seen rised budget tourism with an increase number of guest houses and economy hotels on the inhabited islands of Ari Atoll, especially in its northern part. Surrounded by dreamy turquoise lagoons, white sands and palm shores, beautiful landscapes also boast terrific house reefs in marriage with a rich marine life. Each island is a paradise in itself with a simple and easy way of life, which makes it ideal for an unforgettable holiday in the Maldives.

Best of Ari Atoll

Top 10 Best Ari Atoll resorts

Top 10 Best Ari Atoll Hotels

Located in a vast lagoon of oval shape dotted with beautiful islands, Ari Atoll is located 100 km west of the capital of Maldives and is famous for its magnificent beaches and world-class diving. Read More

10 Best Ari Atoll Honeymoon Resorts and private islanss

10 Best Ari Atoll Honeymoon Hotels

Maldives and romance are perfectly combined with each other, and many couples dream to stay on paradise islands for an unforgettable honeymoon. In Ari Atoll you will find  Read More

10 Best Ari Atoll Snorkeling Hotels

10 Best Ari Atoll Snorkeling Resorts

A house reef snorkeling is one of the activities that all visitors in the Maldives are looking for and one of the priorities when choosing a hotel. Read More

Top 10 Best Ari Family Hotels

Top 10 Best Ari Atoll Family Hotels

The first visitors to the Maldives remember the archipelago, as a destination for couples and newlyweds. Children were a surprise, and were usually Read More

10 Best Ari All Inclusive resorts

10 Best Ari Atoll All Inclusive Hotels

All Inclusive hotels in the Maldives provide an excellent sense of luxury combined with the comfort that almost all is included in the room rate Read More

Top 10 Best Thoddoo Hotels

Top 10 Best Thoddoo Hotels

With white beaches, the greatest house reef and a good selection of new hotels, sThoddoo is the all-time favorite budget island in North Ari Atoll in the Maldives. Read More

Top 10 Best Ukulhas Hotels

Top 10 Best Ukulhas Hotels

Ukulhas is a unique fishing island in the Northern Ari Atoll, Maldives. The best hotels, warm turquoise waters and a rich sea life are the main attractions of Ari Atoll and today, a budget holiday Read More

Top 10 Rasdu Hotels

Top 10 Rasdu Hotels

Rasdhoo or Rasdu island is an ultimate diving heaven in the Maldives. Located a few miles off North Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo is the only inhabited island of a small natural atoll also known Ross Atoll Read More

First Time? - Recommended Hotels - Where to Stay

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underwater

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

This luxurious and sophisticated Maldivian resort is located on two idyllic islands combining the best beaches Read More

Constance Moofushi

Constance Moofushi

A fantastic island paradise surrounded by large turquoise lagoons and teasing white beaches, Constance Moofushi combines Read More

Lily Beach Resort and Spa

Lily Beach Resort and Spa

Today, Lily Beach Resort and Spa ranks among the leading resorts in the country with Premium All Inclusive Read More

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

With one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the great strengths of Vilamendhoo have always been snorkeling Read More

Mirihi Island Resort

Mirihi Island Resort

Perfectly combining casual luxury, delicious food, comfy rooms, a stunning sandy beach and an excellent house reef, Mirihi Island Read More

Kandolhu Maldives

Kandolhu Maldives

Kandolhu Maldives guarantees even more than just your dreams of an unforgettable honeymoon in the Maldives Read More

Radisson Blue Resort Maldives

Radisson Blue Resort Maldives

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is one of the most anticipated new developments in the Maldives, in addition to being the first Radisson Blu resort in the market. Opened on March 2020 Read More

LUX* South Ari

LUX* South Ari Atoll

Beautifully situated on Dhidhoofinolhu island in the South Ari Atoll, encircled by crystal clear waters famed for excellent diving, the stunning LUX* South Read More

All Hotel Deals in South Male Atoll

All Hotel Deals in Ari Atoll

Ari Atoll is simply packed with luxurious hotels, but the question: What are the best? To answer that, you need to explore the facilities, location, service, reviews, spa, privacy and house reef Read More

Most Popular Islands for Budget Holiday

Ukulhas

Ukulhas

With unique features for the Maldives, Ukulhas is an inhabited island of Alif Alif Atoll that easy opens for budget tourism with a handful of guest houses and mini-hotels. Known for good ecology,

Read More
Rasdhoo diving school

Rasdhoo (Rasdu)

An ultimate diving paradise, Rasdhoo is an inhabited island in the Maldives. Spectacular marine life, vibrant reefs, warm waters and big fish encounters make Rasdhoo island a diving destination

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Thoddoo vacation

Thoddoo

The emerald in the setting of golden sand, Thoddoo is one of the populated islands of North Ari atoll in the Maldives. Located 67 km from Male airport and 20 km north of Thulusdhoo Island, Thoddoo

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Bodufolhudhoo Islands

Bodufolhudhoo

A great option for a a fun-filled budget holiday in the Maldives, Bodufolhudhoo is a small island in the North Ari Atol. The beautiful island is well known for its spectacular marine life with a house reef

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Mathiveri aerial

Mathiveri

Mathiveri is an inhabited island of Alif Alif Atoll in the Maldives. A great option for budget travellers, the island of Mathiveri is located on the North Ari Atoll, which is about a 30-minute seaplane ride

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Omadhoo Hotels

Omadhoo

Great place for an authentic beach experience, Omadhoo is an inhabited island in the Maldives. An ideal site for swimming and house reef snorkelling, Omadhoo is perfect for budget travelers

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Maamigili whale shark snorkeling

Maamigili

Maamigili, also known as 'Whale Shark Island' is an inhabited island and the only airport in South Ari (Alif Dhaal) Atoll. There are a few guesthouses, and it's a popular budget base for divers, who especially love

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Dhigurah dive with whale shark tour

Dhigurah

The famous whale shark area in South Ari Atoll, Dhigurah is a long Maldivian island with stretch of white sandy beach. Heaven for fans of underwater adventures, Dhigurah island is 20-minutes by domestic

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Dhangethi vacation

Dhangethi

Located is in the heart of South Ari Atoll, Dhangethi is home to enigmatic Mantas and gentle whale sharks, the most sought after sea creatures among divers and snorkeling fans.

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Feridhoo Islands

Feridhoo

Embraced with powdery soft sands and turquoise waters, Feridhoo is an idyllic inhabited island for unforgettable beach experience in the Maldives. With a handful of guest houses, the island offers

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Mandhoo bikini beach

Fiyavalhu Maldives, Mandhoo

On this natural paradise, Fiyavalhu Maldives offers an all-island experience that encompasses comfortable living spaces in a natural and private alcove of Mandhoo.

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Ari (Alif) Atoll Guide

Ari Atoll Information

Ari Atoll Information

Domestic flights, sea plane or speed boat are the most common ways of island hopping in the Maldives. Several quick 30 min Read More

Scuba Diving in Ari Atoll

Scuba Diving in Ari Atoll

Ari Atoll scuba diving is adventurous, relaxing, sometimes challenging, and always stunning. Diving in Ari Atoll differs from many other Read More

Velana International Airport, MLE

Ari Atoll Map

Our interactive maps of the Maldives show all islands, hotels, resorts, airport and North Male Atoll on the map of the Maldives archipelago Read More

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