The Outer Atolls

Under this name we group the atolls far from Malé, where resorts are few and the sea is wide. The closest is Dhaalu, to the south-west: about 45 minutes by seaplane, or a 30-minute domestic flight to Dhaalu airport and ten minutes by boat. Niyama is here, on its two private islands, Chill and Play, with Subsix, its restaurant and lounge six metres underwater, 500 metres offshore and reached only by boat. Dhaalu also has pods of spinner dolphins at the channel mouths, and Rinbudhoo, known for centuries as the island of goldsmiths.

Further south is Gaafu Alifu, the northern half of Huvadhu, one of the largest true atolls on earth, less than one degree north of the equator. A domestic flight of about 55 minutes takes you to Kooddoo, then a boat to Raffles Meradhoo. Its channels are among the richest dives in the south, with grey reef sharks, silvertips and eagle rays.

In the north is Shaviyani, one of the least developed atolls, about 55 minutes by seaplane, with only two resorts. One is JW Marriott Maldives, with its Little Griffins kids' club and water sports. Its lagoons and channels see almost no dive boats.

Seaplanes in the Maldives fly only in daylight, so after an evening arrival in Malé you spend the first night near the airport and fly on in the morning. We arrange this in advance, so none of your time is lost.