Ari Atoll travel guide
Everything You Need to Know about Ari Atoll
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](pictures/top10-ari-atoll-resorts.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/top10-ari-atoll-honeymoon-hotels.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/top10-ari-atoll-snorkeling-resorts.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/ari-atoll-family-holiday.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/top10-ari-atoll-all-inclusive-hotels.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/Amazing%20View%20Guest%20House-thoddhoo.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/top10-ukulhas-accomodation.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/top10-rasdu-hotels.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/restoran-conrad-maldives.jpg)
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
This luxurious and sophisticated Maldivian resort is located on two idyllic islands combining the best beaches Read More
![Constance Moofushi](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/vse-vklucheno-Constance-Moofushi-vodnaja-villa.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/lily-beach-maldives.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/vilamendhoo-island-resort-SNORKELING-14.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/mirihi-island-resort-house-reef-snorkeling-with-a-sharks-14.jpg)
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](pictures/kandolhu-island-aerial.jpg)
Kandolhu Maldives
Kandolhu Maldives guarantees even more than just your dreams of an unforgettable honeymoon in the Maldives Read More
![Radisson Blue Resort Maldives](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/radisson-blue-maldives.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/lux-south-ari-atoll-new-resort-2016.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/CLUB-RANNALHI.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/ukulhas-nedorogo.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/best-budget-accommodation.jpg)
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
Read More![Thoddoo vacation](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/thoddoo-budget-holiday.jpg)
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
Read More![Bodufolhudhoo Islands](pictures/bodufolhudhoo-budget-holiday.jpg)
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
Read More![Mathiveri aerial](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/mathiveri-aerial-5.jpg)
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
Read More![Omadhoo Hotels](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/omadhoo-budget-holiday.jpg)
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
Read More![Maamigili whale shark snorkeling](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/maamigili-whale-shark-point-diving.jpg)
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
Read More![Dhigurah dive with whale shark tour](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/snork-s-kitovoj-akuloj-dhigurah.jpg)
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
Read More![Dhangethi vacation](pictures/Dhangethi-whale-shark-swimming-trip.jpg)
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.
Read More![Feridhoo Islands](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/feridhoo-on-a-budget.jpg)
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
Read More![Mandhoo bikini beach](pictures/fiyavalhu-maldives-private-beach.jpg)
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.
Read MoreAri (Alif) Atoll Guide
![Ari Atoll Information](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/ari-atoll-local-information-guide.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/scuba-diving-south-ari-atoll-whale-shark.jpg)
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](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/north-male-atoll-map.jpg)
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
![what is better: beach or overwater](https://maldives-magazine.com/pictures/beach-or-water-villa-to-stay-maldives.avif)
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Find out more about the most unparalleled Maldives hotel deals and special rates, when Book Direct your next beach holiday
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Some of the best hotels and resorts in the Maldives are already included in this list, and the good part of them offers the best prices. We will constantly add new hotels
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The Maldives is paradise destination that should be on the bucket list of every discerning travelers. There's a special breed of hotels there that cater to the most tasteful of luxury travelers Read More
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While it may never be cheap to visit thу Maldives, fortunately there are still some chic and relatively affordable overwater villas you can stay. Read more
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