The Republic of Maldives consists of around 1,200 islands, organized in small clusters or Atolls. Around 200 of these islands are inhabited. About 26 natural atolls make up the country, along with a few small independent islands and reefs. The biggest Atoll in Maldives is Boduthiladhunmathi, while the Atoll containing the greatest number of islands is Huvadhu. The largest island in Maldives is Gan, located in Boduthiladhunmathi Atoll.
The islands of Maldives can further be divided into resort and non-resort islands. Resorts islands are private islands consisting solely of luxury resorts, while non resort islands harbor local life. At present, there are 132 resort islands in Maldives.
Some of the most famous islands of Maldives are:
- Male: Traditionally regarded as the seat of the Maldivian royalty, the capital city of Male throngs with a vibrant cultural life. Beautiful beaches and ornate monuments makeup the beauty of Male. The biggest attraction at the city is the 17th century mosque, Hukuru Miskiy, and the National Museum with its marvelous displays of Maldivian history. .Watersports is one of the most popular tourist magnets in Male, with the stunning banana reef offering a plethora of sport options such as windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing and much more. Tourists can also take a ferry ride to the adjacent Varunulaa Raalhugandu and enjoy a mesmerizing sunset.
- Fuvahmulah: Its name literally translates to ‘Island of the Areca palms’, Fuvamulah is a tropical paradise of unparalleled beauty. The island is best known for its mesmerizing twin-lakes, Bandaara Kilhi and Koda Kilhi, where fishing and photography can be done. The mud baths at Koda Kilhi are also popular for their healing properties. The pre-Islamic stupas at Hattiva, at the northeastern end of the island, forms another prominent attraction at this island city. Shark spotting is a popular activity in Fuvahmulah, with the Fuvahmulah tiger shark spot promising sightings of not only tiger sharks, but also whale sharks and black oceanic mantas.
- Maafushi: For a proper insight into Maldivian culture, head on over to Maafushi while touring Maldives. Nearly destroyed in the tsunami 2004, Maafushi has now rebuilt itself to become one of the most gorgeous islands in Maldives. A good assortment of luxury hotels and fantastic eateries makes it a tourist magnet in Maldives. A host of different water sports can also be tried out at Maldives, such as snorkeling, diving and much more.
- Eydhafushi: Home to the Baa Atoll Biosphere reserve, the stunning island of Eydhafushi is known for its biodiverse beauty. The astonishing biodiversity of Eydhafushi is manifested through the rich flora and fauna on the island, with lush mangroves brimming with local species of reptiles and birds. Owing to its rich marine life, Eydhafushi is regarded as one of the best Maldives cities for scuba explorations, promising sightings of tiger sharks, angel fishes, barracudas and much more.
- Vaadhoo Island: Apart from the usual beauty of Maldivian islands, Vaadho has something special to offer- the gorgeous island is home to the unique Sea of Stars, which is a bioluminescent beach that comes alive during the night. The beach at Vaadhoo is littered with bioluminescent planktons which glow in the dark, making it appear as though the stars themselves had found their way to the ground at night.