Absolute Magazine

The History of
MALDIVES
This relatively little populated
quiet atoll includes the
Vattaru Atoll and is inhabited
mainly by local fishing
communities. But it has one
of the world-renowned diving
reefs on its eastern edge:
FELIDHU ATOLL
This relatively little populated quiet atoll
includes the Vattaru Atoll and is inhabited
mainly by local fishing communities. But it
has one of the world-renowned diving reefs
on its eastern edge: Fotteyo Kadu. With its
colourful corals and lively schools of jacks,
sergeant fish, whitetip reef sharks, turtles and
sometimes eagle rays it should be on every
diver’s wish list when visiting the atoll.
MEEMU, LAAMU & THAA ATOLL
The atolls south of Male are little pieces of
heaven, floating on the surface of the dark
blue sea. With their secluded beaches and
untouched nature the resorts in this area
are ideal for lazy holidays; tourist are still
relatively rare in this area of Maldives. Meemu
Atoll has eight inhabited islands and only
three of them have resorts. The islands here
are known not only for their superb dive
sites - experts come here to dive Eagle trail,
Jumping Jack tunnel and the two brothers.
Meemu also has some excellent surf breaks on
its eastern edge like Veyvah Point, Boahuraa
Point and Mulee Point, which are gradually
being explored by more adventurous surfers.
The diving sites around Laamu and Thaa can
get quite challenging with strong currents
in the canals. Inexperienced divers might
be better staying above the surface and
visiting some of the archaeological sites. At
the northeastern tip of the atoll, on Isdhoo,
a giant black dome rises above the palms,
belonging to the 300 year old Friday Mosque.
It was probably built on the site of an earlier
temple, because it faces directly west, rather
than towards Mecca.
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