Maldives

This is the Ari Atoll & Around chapter from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guide-book.

Centred on a vast, sumptuous and inviting oval lagoon dotted with reefs, Ari Atoll sits to the west of the capital and is famed for its superb diving and stellar beaches.

• swim with the sharks at Hammerhead Point
• maps
• be awed by the whale sharks at Dhidhdhoo Beyru
• transport
• find manta rays and many other pelagics while diving or snorkelling at Manta Reef
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: North Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, Thoddoo, South Ari At-oll.

This is the Male chapter from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

The pint-sized Maldivian capital is the throbbing, mercantile heart of the nation, a densely crowded and fascinating place, notable mainly for its stark contrast to the laid-back pace of island life elsewhere in the country.

• admire the beautiful Old Friday Mosque
• maps
• watch the morning’s catch being brought in at the daily fish market
• transport
• gape at the artefacts and quirky relics at the National Museum
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Sights, Activities, Sleeping, Eating, Entertainment, Shopping.

This is the North & South Male Atolls chapter from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

North and South Male Atolls are home to many of the country’s most famous resorts, and have a wealth of natural draws: excellent dive sites, at least three diveable shipwrecks and some of Maldives’ best surf breaks.

• kick back in Maafushi’s independent guesthouse and hotel scene
• maps
• dive with the manta rays at Manta Point
• transport
• see the spectacular corals at Helengeli Thila
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Around Male, North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll.

This is the Northern Atolls chapter from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

The Northern Atolls – the least-developed region of Maldives – remain scarcely known to for-eigners, which makes them a great place to experience traditional Maldivian life. There’s huge diving and snorkelling potential throughout the region, with pristine waters and diverse marine life.

• check out the Utheemu Ganduvaru palace in Haa Alifu
• maps
• come face-to-face with dozens of juvenile reef sharks at the Shark Nursery
• transport
• snorkel with magnificent manta rays in Hanifaru Bay
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani.

This chapter contains the Welcome to Maldives, Maldives’ Top 10, Need to Know, What’s New, If You Like..., Choosing a Resort, Diving, Snorkelling & Surfing, Eat & Drink Like a Local, Independent Travel, and Regions at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

Your journey to Maldives starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on resorts and water sports.

• tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
• list of highlights and best experiences
• everything you need to know about finding the right resort
• user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Maldives, Maldives’ Top 10, Need to Know, What’s New, If You Like: Luxury, Romance, Cool Design, Diving & Snorkelling, Good Food, Family Holidays, Surfing, Choosing a Resort, Diving, Snorkelling & Surfing, Eat & Drink Like a Local, Independent Travel, and Regions at a Glance.

This is the Southern Atolls chapter from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

Live-aboards explore the south’s pristine dive sites, while surfing boats visit the most remote breaks of the most remote atolls, such as Gaafu Dhaalu and Addu. Welcome to the dreamily per-fect world of the southern Maldives.

• dive with rays at Manta Point for an unforgettable experience
• maps
• surf or catch some sun at Thoondu Beach, one of Maldives’ loveliest beaches
• transport
• descend through the blue to the spot dozens of tiger sharks off the island of Fuvahmu-lah
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Addu Atoll.

This chapter contains the Maldives Today, History, Maldivian Way of Life, Wildlife in Maldives, Environmental Issues & Responsible Travel, Arts, Crafts & Architecture, Directory A–Z, Transport, and Health chapters from Lonely Planet’s Maldives guidebook.

All the info you need on everything from history, marine life and environmental issues to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get tips for women travellers, gay and lesbian travellers, travellers with disabilities, and travellers with kids. And get the most out of your conversations with a handy language guide and glossary.

• a rundown on current environmental issues
• info on food and drink in the Maldives
• full coverage of Maldivian arts and crafts
• details on local beliefs

Coverage includes: Maldives Today, History, Maldivian Way of Life, Wild-life in Maldives, Environmental Issues & Responsible Travel, Arts, Crafts & Architecture, Directory A–Z, Transport, and Health.