Dharavandhoo
Inhabited island in Baa Atoll with an airport, close to the Hanifaru Bay marine protected area. Manta rays gather there in season, and visitors usually come to snorkel with them.
Baa Atoll
In the wet season, large numbers of manta rays gather at Hanifaru Bay, the feature for which this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is known.
Attractive locations
Thulhaadhoo
Island in Baa Atoll known across the Maldives for its lacquerware, with craftspeople making decorated wooden boxes and vases. A good place to see traditional skills at work.
Eydhafushi
Largest town in Baa Atoll and its administrative centre, with a harbour, shops and a mosque. Visitors pass through on the way to resort islands and nearby reefs, and see everyday atoll life.
Southern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll
The natural atoll that forms Baa Atoll, ringed by reefs enclosing a lagoon of small islands. Baa Atoll is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and is known for its snorkelling and diving.
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO biosphere reserve that includes Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays and whale sharks gather to feed in season. Snorkelling and diving are the main reasons to visit.
Airports
Dharavandhoo Airport DRV
It is about 20 km in a straight line from Baa Atoll.
Maafaru International Airport NMF
It is about 95 km in a straight line from Baa Atoll.
Velana International Airport MLE
It is about 123 km in a straight line from Baa Atoll.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Maldives page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan27.3 °C47 mm
- Feb27.4 °C29 mm
- Mar28.1 °C42 mm
- Apr28.6 °C84 mm
- May28.7 °C186 mm
- Jun28.3 °C166 mm
- Jul27.9 °C168 mm
- Aug27.8 °C172 mm
- Sep27.6 °C165 mm
- Oct27.7 °C173 mm
- Nov27.4 °C208 mm
- Dec27.4 °C162 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: May, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 51% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
nature
Manta ray and whale shark season
South Ari has whale sharks through the whole year. Hanifaru Bay has the best months for big mantas.
nature
Manta ray and whale shark season
South Ari has whale sharks through the whole year. Hanifaru Bay has the best months for big mantas.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 119. Ambulance 102. Fire 118.
local government
Maldives Police Service - Tourist Police
Helps with: Police unit set up in 2009 to protect visitors. It helps tourists with disputes, fraud and safety concerns and patrols airports, resorts and guesthouses. Its page gives a 24/7 assistance line.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other international visitors in the Maldives.
Phone: +960 979 0070
ngo
Maldivian Red Crescent
Helps with: The national Red Crescent society. It responds to emergencies, supports recovery, and teaches first aid, with volunteers in local units across the islands.
Who qualifies: People in the Maldives who need its emergency response, first aid or community services.
Phone: +960 3341009
Email: [email protected]
Address: Maldivian Red Crescent Building, 2nd Floor, Hithigasmagu, Hulhumale'
local government
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Helps with: The Maldives' national disaster authority. Its site lists 115 as its emergency hotline and shares disaster preparedness information and help for people affected by incidents.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the Maldives affected by a disaster or incident.
Phone: 115
Address: Ameenee Magu, Male 20060, Maldives
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Maldives
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in the Maldives since 2013. It supports migrants, displaced people, returnees and host communities.
Who qualifies: Migrants and other people on the move. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +960 7757 646
Address: H. Fehi Aabadh, 9th Floor, Abadhah Fehi Magu, Male, Republic of Maldives