Route Description - The North: Male-Rasdhoo-Baa-Raa-Male
The North: Male-Rasdhoo-Baa-Raa-Male
The Maldives archipelago comprises 26 natural atolls and approximately 1,190 islands, many of which are fringed by palm trees and dense mangroves. Of these, no more than 200 islands are inhabited, while around 100 have been developed as tourist resorts. Determining the exact number of islands remains a challenge; if sandbanks and coral outcrops were included, the count could rise to nearly 2,000. The dynamic nature of the archipelago complicates the estimate further — some islands merge, others split, and new islets occasionally emerge from the coral reef.
Most of the islands are remarkably small, often taking no more than ten minutes to cross on foot. Their elevation is minimal, with the maximum height typically just three meters above sea level.
Interestingly, the word “atoll” originates from the Maldivian language Dhivehi — “Atholhu” — referring to reef formations of varying shapes and sizes, often encompassing lagoons, islands, and coral reefs, interspersed with channels or passes. To this day, the exact number of islands remains unknown — a mystery that perhaps adds to the allure of the Maldives. Some islands bear no name, appear on no map, and show no signs of human presence.
Between the atolls lie navigable channels, which historically have supported trade and continue to serve modern vessels, as the Maldives sits in a strategic location along major international sea routes in the Indian Ocean. Each island is surrounded by a shallow, crystal-clear lagoon and protected by a barrier reef, sheltering one of the most vibrant and diverse underwater ecosystems in the world.