North Malé Atoll is the principal atoll of the Maldives and includes Malé, the country’s capital. The administrative capital of North Malé Atoll, however, is Thulusdoo, located on the east side of the atoll. With a population of around 1200, Thulusdoo is well known for its industry in traditional drums and salted fish as well as a budding surf scene. The local islands of Huraa and Himmafushi are popular spots for resorts organising excursions for their guests; both offering an array of shops where visitors can acquire souvenirs.

North Malé Atoll is also home to the country’s principal airport in Hullhulé, the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE). The international terminal is well connected to most parts of the world and the seaplane terminal allows visitors to be taken directly to their resorts in many cases. Some resort islands are close enough to the airport for transfers to be made by traditional dhoanis, but those more distant ones usually use speedboats and seaplanes to save time.

South Malé Atoll is separated from its Northern cousin by the 4.5km wide Vaadhoo Kandu. Despite the short distance, South Malé Atoll has a noticeably different feel to North Malé, mainly due to a lower population and wider spreading of islands.

Transfers from the airport to the resorts are mostly by speedboat but some of the closer ones still use engine dhoanis. South Malé Atoll’s biggest island is Maafushi, which has, in recent times, received an influx of tourism, lending a cosmopolitan feel to the island populace.

Five kilometres south of Vattaru Reef and 120km from Malé is the triangular chain of islands known traditionally as Mulaku and more commonly as Meemu.

Muli, the capital, is recognised for its fishing. During the peak fishing season, the beach is literally covered with shark and tuna after the fishermen return home each day. The deserted island inside the lagoon is called Kakaahuraa. Host to some of the most vibrant dive sites in the Maldives, Meemu is also becoming increasingly popular with surfers who seek the waves on its eastern edge.

Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in Laamu Atoll and takes 35 minutes to reach by seaplane transfer from Malé International. Laamu is mostly encompassed by barrier reefs which help to protect the pristine coastlines.

Kadhdhoo Airport (KDO) is a domestic airport located on the island of Kadhdoo in Laamu Atoll. It is connected to the capital island of Fonadhoo and Gan by a 12km causeway. Maldivian and Flyme airlines operate from Kadhdhoo, flying to destinations including: Gan, Malé, Kaadedhdhoo, Kooddoo, Dharavandhoo and Maamigilli.

In 1962, the giant Huvadhu Atoll was split diagonally for administrative purposes into the north easterly Gaafu Alifu Atoll and south westerly Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The entire island chain has been coined, Gaafu Atoll.

Because of its size and geographical separation from the rest of the Maldives Atoll chain, Gaafu has historically reserved a level of independence from the rest of the country. Gaafu maintained individual trade links with Sri Lanka and the dialect was barely comprehensible to other Maldivians. With the first resort construction allowed in Gaafu Dhaalu in 2006, Gaafu Atoll remains a sparsely developed and, now, up-and-coming destination in the south Maldives.

Kooddoo Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Atoll. Maldivian airlines operate scheduled flights to Gan, Kadhdhoo and Malé.

Kaadedhdhoo Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Kaadedhdhoo in Gaafu Atoll. Maldivian airlines operate scheduled flights to Gan, Kadhdhoo and Malé.

Seenu Atoll is the most southerly destination in the Maldives archipelago, the only atoll below the equator. Otherwise known as Addu Atoll, Seenu was the only area in the Maldives not to be affected by the global coral bleaching in 1988, meaning that the reefs are some of the most vibrant in the Indian Ocean. They are also some of the most active; Seenu’s reefs are known for abundance of marine life, particularly of whale and dolphin fauna.

Seenu is also home to the only other city in the Maldives: Addu City. The atoll’s capital is the only place of similar size and importance to Malé, constituted of a population of 18,000 who reside over 7 islands that are connected by causeway and land reclamation. Because the atoll’s basin is land-locked by large islands surrounding it, it has the only natural anchorage in the Maldives, making the harbour calm all-year round despite seasonal changes. Seenu’s beaches are also protected from stormy weather and large waves by a barrier reef, resulting in an extremely well-kept coastline.

Gan Island provides the atoll with some colonial overtones as it was used as a British military base until the 1970s, as well as housing an international airport. As a result of British occupation of the atoll, Seenu islanders were well placed for the explosion of the tourist industry due to their experience with Westerners and knowledge of the English language.

Gan International Airport (GAN) is located on Gan Island in Seenu Atoll. This airport is the main access point for the southern parts of the country.

Daily scheduled flights operate from Gan International Airport to other airports in the country including Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE). Customs and Immigration services are provided here.

Maalifushi by COMO is currently the only resort in Thaa Atoll; however, Gran Melia Maldives is due to open in October 2017. There are just 13 inhabited islands in Thaa Atoll, Veymandhoo is the capital with a population of 1100. The island of Burunee excels in carpentry, manufacturing some of the Maldives' finest boats or going to work on resorts. Islanders also make coir rope and reed mats that can be found for sale in Malé. Visitors can access Thaa Atoll via a 60 minute seaplane transfer from Malé.

Thimarafushi Domestic Airport (TMF) is located on Thimarafushi island of Thaa Atoll. Scheduled flights fly into this airport from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE), Malé.

Larger than its northern neighbour, Faafu, Dhaalu Atoll stretches 35km from north to south and 20km east to west. It is comprised of 7 inhabitated islands that host a total population of 6500, the capital being Kudahuvadhoo.

Kudahuvadhoo, a buzzing fishing town, is also home to an enigmatic mound. The pile of ancient stones was used to construct the island’s mosque, which has since been described by Norwegian Adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl, as the finest masonry he had ever seen.

The small village of Hulhudheli is famous for jewellry making. The craftsmen make silver amulets, chains and bracelets using age-old techniques.

For administrative purposes, Ari Atoll’s 80 islands and islets are divided into North Ari Atoll and South Ari Atoll. The capital of North Ari Atoll is Rasdhoo and South Ari Atoll is Mahibadhoo (also the most populated island in Ari Atoll).

The principal occupation of Ari Atoll islanders used to be catching turtles, weaving sails, coral collecting and coral carving, they are also good fishermen and are traditionally renowned for their shark catching to produce oil for the timbers of dhoanis. Their shark catching traditions are still strong and often at odds with divers who wish to keep the sharks in the water.

Villa International Airport (VAM) is situated on Maamigili island of South Ari Atoll. The airport currently operates scheduled domestic flights to six different atolls of the Maldives including Kaafu Atoll, Seenu Atoll, Gnaviyani Atoll, Baa Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll and North Ari Atoll.

In 2011, the Baa Atoll was named a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, joining such areas as the Galapagos Islands and the Central Amazon Rainforest, because of its unique biodiversity. Situated about 100km north-west of Malé, the Baa Atoll plays host to the largest manta ray gathering in the world, as well as whale sharks and some of the most vibrant coral reef in the Maldives.

Dharavandhoo Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll. Maldivian and FlyMe airlines operate scheduled flights to Hanimaadhoo, Ifuru and Malé.

One of the most pristine resorts in the Maldives, with just a few resorts dotting this 35 mile long atoll. Raa’s relatively untouched feel is a result of the ban on tourism in the atoll, which was repealed in 1990, resorts therefore have not had much time to develop and overpopulate the idyllic islands. Raa Atoll is extremely popular with divers because of its plethora of marine life and proximity to the infamous Hanifaru Bay.

The capital island is Ugoofaaru, which is famed for its large fishing fleet and neighbours Alifushi, renowned for its Dhoni craftsmanship. The channel between Baa and Raa Atoll is named after Roger Moresby, a captain of the East India Company who painstakingly mapped all the atolls of the Maldives in the early nineteenth century.

Opened in May 2015, Ifuru Domestic Airport in Raa Atoll is the most recent addition to the Maldives aviation scene. Maldivian airline transfers visitors from Malé International to Raa Atoll on a daily basis.

The northernmost atoll in the Maldives archipelago, Haa Alifu hosts just 2 resorts in its 14 inhabited islands despite being the third largest atoll in terms of population and size. The island of Utheemu is considered to be one of the most historically significant islands in the northern atolls. Maldivian hero, Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who famously overthrew the unpopular Portuguese rule in Malé, was born on Utheemu. Thakurufaanu’s legacy is still evident today; the army that he pioneered has evolved into the current Maldives National Defence Force and the largest mosque in the country is named in his honour.

Resorts in Haa Alifu Atoll are accessible by an approximately 70 minute seaplane journey from Malé, or speedboat transfer from Hanimadhoo Airport.

Shaviyani Atoll is located in the north of the Maldives Archipelago, 192km from Malé. The atoll's only resort, Viceroy Maldives, is on the private island of Vagaru, less than an hour's seaplane flight from Malé.

Shaviyani Atoll is a significant breeding ground for the Maldives’ sea turtle population. With the Sea Turtle population under threat, these majestic creatures are becoming a rareity throughout the world, making the Maldives one of the few and best destinations to catch a glimpse of them laying the next generation.

Noonu Atoll is the southernmost division of the massive, Miladhunmadulu Atoll. It is comprised of 71 islands and islets of which 13 are inhabited.

Noonu Atoll is known for the Edu Faru National Marine Park, the country’s first and only current national park. The Park is formed of the Edu Faru Archipelago, covering 9 islands and its pristine waters. The land encompassed in the national park will be protected due to the ecosystem it houses and the diversity of marine life within, meaning that no resort construction will allowed on the park’s islands. Resorts in Noonu Atoll have almost exclusive access to the national park, making it a favourite for keen divers.

Lhaviyani Atoll is located in the north east of the Maldives, it is comprised of 54 islands of which only 5 are inhabited. Lhaviyani once hosted the capital of the separatist Kingdom of Boduthiladhunmathi. In the middle ages, the King of Boduthiladhunmathi led a failed attempt to overthrow the king in Malé.

There are currently 5 resorts in Lhaviyani Atoll, however, Cocoon Maldives and Hurawalhi Island Resort & Spa are both set to open their doors in 2016.

Faafu is a tiny atoll in the south Maldives. Comprised of 23 islands and islets, Filitheyo is the only public resort in the Atoll. The capital island of Nilhandoo has the largest population in the Atoll at 1500, and boasts the country’s second-oldest mosque.