
Atoll
Kaafu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll is one of the Maldives' administrative atolls (code K), comprising 9 inhabited islands. Its administrative capital is Thulusdhoo.
- Administrative code
- K
- Inhabited islands
- 9
About Kaafu Atoll
Welcome to Kaafu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll, also known as Male' Atoll, is the most visited atoll in the Maldives and home to the capital city Male'. This atoll is divided into North Male' Atoll and South Male' Atoll, offering some of the most accessible and luxurious resort experiences in the country.
With its proximity to Velana International Airport, Kaafu Atoll is often the first taste visitors get of the Maldives' stunning beauty. The atoll features crystal-clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and some of the most famous dive sites in the world.
Best Dive Sites in Kaafu Atoll
One of the first dive sites discovered in Maldives, famous for its dramatic overhangs and coral formations.
Depth: 5-30m | Level: All levels
Excellent drift dive site with strong currents attracting large pelagics like sharks and rays.
Depth: 15-30m | Level: Advanced
Popular Activities in Kaafu Atoll
Explore vibrant coral gardens and marine life at house reefs of resorts or on snorkeling excursions.
Relaxing dhoni cruises at sunset, often with dolphin spotting opportunities.
Visit traditional fishing villages and experience authentic Maldivian culture.
Kaafu Atoll Activities
Organized By: Male Atoll ActivitiesLocation: Male Atoll
Explore with GoPro, towels & pickupDuration: 2hrs
Includes: GoPro, Softdrinks, PickupDuration: 3-5hrs
Explore local islands & sandbanksDuration: 4 hrs
Duration: 9hrs | Includes: Shipwreck, Nurse Shark, Sandbank
Duration: 3hrs | Equipment & Boat Included
Evening boat trip + BBQ your own catch
Duration: 7hrs | Includes Fishing & Lunch
Cultural trip with snorkeling & sandbank
Getting to Kaafu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll resorts are the most accessible in Maldives, with transfer times ranging from:
Many resorts offer 24/7 speedboat transfers due to the proximity to the airport.
Kaafu Atoll Transfers
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll
North Male Atoll
Best Time to Visit Kaafu Atoll
The best time to visit Kaafu Atoll is during the dry season from November to April when you can expect calm seas, plenty of sunshine, and excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.
The surf season runs from March to October, with the biggest swells typically in June-August.
Discover Kaafu Atoll Islands
Kaafu Atoll was absolutely breathtaking! The resorts were luxurious and the diving at Banana Reef was unforgettable. We saw so many colorful fish and even a turtle!
Kaafu Atoll Gallery
Islands in Kaafu Atoll
- Dhiffushi

Dhiffushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Gaafaru

Gaafaru is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Gulhi

Gulhi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Guraidhoo

Guraidhoo is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Himmafushi

Himmafushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Huraa

Huraa is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Kaashidhoo

Kaashidhoo is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Maafushi

Maafushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Thulusdhoo

Thulusdhoo is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
Resorts in Kaafu Atoll
Private island resorts, each its own destination.
- Adaaran Club Rannalhi Island Resort Maldives
RannalhiFrom $302 / night
- Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Island Resort Maldives
VadooFrom $620 / night
- Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi Island Resort Maldives
LhohifushiFrom $320 / night
- Anantara Dhigu Island Resort Maldives
DhigufinolhuFrom $540 / night
- Bandos Island Resort Maldives
BandosFrom $350 / night
- Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Island Resort Maldives
VabbinfaruFrom $980 / night
- Baros Maldives
Baros5★Overwater villasFrom $780 / night
- Centara Rasfushi Island Resort Maldives
GiraavaruFrom $208 / night
- Cinnamon Dhonveli Island Resort Maldives
KanuhuraaFrom $280 / night
- Coco Bodu Hithi Island Resort Maldives
Bodu HithiFrom $690 / night
- COMO Cocoa Island Resort Maldives
Makunufushi - Embudu Village Island Maldives
EmbuduFrom $179 / night
- Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives
EriyaduFrom $130 / night
- Fihaalhohi Island Resort Maldives
FihalhohiFrom $141 / night
- FOUR SEASONS RESORT MALDIVES AT KUDA HURAA
Kuda Huraa5★From $1,500 / night
- Fun Island Resort & Spa Maldives
BodufinolhuFrom $300 / night
- Gili Lankanfushi
Lankanfushi5★Overwater villasFrom $1,600 / night
- Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives Island Resort
KodhipparuFrom $780 / night
- Hard Rock Hotel Maldives Island Resort
Akasdhoo5★From $600 / night
- Huvafen Fushi Island Resort Maldives
NakatchafushiFrom $1,054 / night
- Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island Resort
OlhahaliFrom $2,100 / night
- Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives
Kuda VillingiliFrom $1,700 / night
- Kurumba Maldives
Vihamanaafushi5★From $300 / night
- Makunudu Island Resort Maldives
MakunuduFrom $300 / night
- Malahini Kuda Bandos Maldives Island Resort
Kuda BandosFrom $355 / night
- Meeru Island Resort & Spa Maldives
MeerufenfushiFrom $440 / night
- OBLU NATURE Helengeli Maldives Island Resort
Helengeli5★From $600 / night
- OBLU SELECT Lobigili Maldives Island Resort
Lobigili5★From $800 / night
- OBLU SELECT Sangeli Maldives Island Resort
Sangeli5★From $700 / night
- OBLU XPErience Ailafushi Maldives Island Resort
Ailafushi5★From $500 / night
- One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives Island Resort
Reethi Rah5★From $2,050 / night
- Ozen Life Maadhoo Maldives Island Resort
Maadhoo5★From $1,120 / night
- Ozen Reserve Bolifushi Maldives Island Resort
Bolifushi5★From $1,900 / night
- Paradise Island Resort Maldives
LankanfinolhuFrom $204 / night
- Rihiveli MaldivesMahaanaelhihuraa
- Saii Lagoon Maldives Island Resort
Embudu Finolhu5★From $500 / night
- Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa Island
Furanafushi5★From $500 / night
- Summer Island Resort Maldives
ZiyaaraifushiFrom $153 / night
- Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa Maldives
Hembadhu5★From $1,150 / night
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives
Emboodhu Finolhu5★From $2,500 / night
- The Patina Maldives Fari Island Resort
Fari Islands5★From $2,600 / night
- The Ritz Carlton Maldives Fari Island Resort
Fari IslandsFrom $2,384 / night
- VARU by Atmosphere Maldives Island Resort
Madivaru5★From $1,200 / night
- Velassaru Maldives
Velassaru5★Overwater villasFrom $800 / night
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Island Resort
Ithaafushi5★
Guesthouses & Hotels in Kaafu Atoll
Stays on real local islands, inside their communities.
- Arena Beach Hotel
Maafushi4★From $59 / night
- Crystal View Maldives Guest HouseGulhi
- Gaafari view inn Hotel Maldives
Gaafaru3★From $40 / night
- Kaani Beach Hotel
MaafushiFrom $71 / night
- rosemery-maafushi
MaafushiFrom $44 / night
Fishing in Kaafu Atoll
- Big Game Fishing Trip
FishingVelassaru4 hr - Big Game Fishing Trip
FishingLankanfushi - Golden Reel Adventure
FishingBaros - Night Fishing Excursion
FishingVelassaru - Night Fishing Trip
FishingMaafushi - Private Sport Fishing Trip
FishingMaafushi - Sunset Fishing Trip
FishingMaafushiFrom USD 25 - Sunset Fishing Trip
FishingMaafushi3 hrFrom USD 30 - Sunset Reef Fishing
FishingVihamanaafushi
Diving in Kaafu Atoll
- Advanced Open Water Diver Course
DivingMaafushiFrom USD 400 - Discover Scuba Diving
DivingVelassarubeginner - Discover Scuba Diving
DivingLankanfushibeginner - Discover Scuba Diving
DivingBarosbeginnerFrom USD 195 - Discover Scuba Diving
DivingThulusdhoobeginnerFrom USD 100 - Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)
DivingMaafushibeginnerFrom USD 75 - Fluo Night Diving
DivingBaros - Fun Dive (Single Tank)
DivingThulusdhooFrom USD 65 - Fun Dive (Single Tank)
DivingMaafushiFrom USD 50 - Guided Reef Dive
DivingBaros - Night Diver Specialty Course
DivingMaafushiFrom USD 330 - PADI Open Water Diver Course
DivingMaafushibeginnerFrom USD 475 - PADI Open Water Diver Course
DivingVihamanaafushibeginner - PADI Open Water Diver Course
DivingThulusdhoobeginner
Dive sites in Kaafu Atoll
- Banana Reef
Reef - Guraidhoo Kandu
Channel - HP Reef
Thila - Kandooma Thila
Thila - Kuda Giri Wreck
Wreck - Lankan Manta Point
Reef - Okobe Thila
Thila - Vaadhoo Caves
Cave
Surfing in Kaafu Atoll
- Group Surf Lesson
SurfingThulusdhoo2 hr - Guided Surf Boat Trip
SurfingThulusdhoo3 hr - Multi-Day Surf Camp Package
SurfingHimmafushi - Private Surf Lesson (Cokes)
SurfingThulusdhoo1 hrFrom USD 75 - Surf Lesson
SurfingThulusdhooFrom USD 75 - Surfboard Rental
SurfingThulusdhooFrom USD 35 - Wave Surfing
SurfingMaafushi1 hr - Wave Surfing
SurfingMaafushi1 hrall levels
Surf breaks in Kaafu Atoll
- Chickens
Reef break - Cokes
Reef break - Guraidhoo CornerReef break
- Honky'sPoint break
- Jailbreak
Reef break - NinjasReef break
- Pasta Point
Reef break - Sultans
Point break
Activities in Kaafu Atoll
- Full-Day Snorkeling & Island Hopping Tour
Island HoppingMaafushiFrom USD 90 - Malé Guided Tour
CultureVihamanaafushi3 hr - Private Dolphin Cruise
ExcursionMaafushi1 hr - Private Snorkeling Trip
WatersportsMaafushiFrom USD 150 - Sandbank Picnic
GeneralVihamanaafushi - Sandbank, Snorkeling & Dolphin Watching Excursions
ExcursionMaafushi - Snorkeling, Dolphin Watching & Sandbank Package
ExcursionMaafushiFrom USD 25 - Sunset Dolphin Cruise
ExcursionVihamanaafushi2 hrFrom USD 65
Transfers in Kaafu Atoll
- Guraidhoo to Malé
2.3 hrFrom MVR 22 - Maafushi to Malé
1.5 hr27 kmFrom MVR 22 - Malé to Guraidhoo
2.3 hrFrom MVR 22 - Malé to Himmafushi
40 minFrom USD 2 - Malé to Maafushi
1.5 hr27 kmFrom MVR 22 - Velana International Airport to Adaaran Club Rannalhi
45 minFrom USD 180 - Velana International Airport to Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
20 minFrom USD 80 - Velana International Airport to Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
40 minFrom USD 115 - Velana International Airport to Bandos Maldives Resort
20 minFrom USD 65 - Velana International Airport to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
25 minFrom USD 72 - Velana International Airport to Baros
25 minFrom USD 65 - Velana International Airport to Capella Maldives at Fari Islands
1 hrFrom USD 230 - Velana International Airport to Centara Mirage and Grand Island Resort Maldives
40 minFrom USD 110 - Velana International Airport to Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
30 minFrom USD 90 - Velana International Airport to Club Med Finolhu Villas Maldives35 minFrom USD 115
- Velana International Airport to Club Med Kani Maldives30 minFrom USD 110
- Velana International Airport to Coco Bodu Hithi Maldives
45 minFrom USD 150 - Velana International Airport to COMO Cocoa Island Maldives
40 minFrom USD 120 - Velana International Airport to Dhawa Ihuru
25 minFrom USD 72 - Velana International Airport to Embudu Village Maldives
25 minFrom USD 72 - Velana International Airport to Eriyadu Maldives
50 minFrom USD 170 - Velana International Airport to Fihalhohi Maldives
50 minFrom USD 145 - Velana International Airport to Fun Island Maldives
45 minFrom USD 135 - Velana International Airport to Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
20 minFrom USD 75 - Velana International Airport to Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
1 hrFrom USD 65 - Velana International Airport to Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
20 minFrom USD 110 - Velana International Airport to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
40 minFrom USD 120 - Velana International Airport to Huraa
25 minFrom USD 100 - Velana International Airport to Huvafen Fushi Maldives
30 minFrom USD 105 - Velana International Airport to Joy Island Maldives
45 minFrom USD 180 - Velana International Airport to Jumeirah Olhahali Island Maldives
1.2 hrFrom USD 250 - Velana International Airport to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa25 minFrom USD 100
- Velana International Airport to Kagi Island Maldives Resort & Spa
1 hrFrom USD 190 - Velana International Airport to Kurumba Maldives
5 minFrom USD 50 - Velana International Airport to Lankanfushi
30 min20 kmFrom USD 75 - Velana International Airport to LUX* North Male Atoll
1 hrFrom USD 190 - Velana International Airport to Maafushi
35 min27 kmFrom USD 20 - Velana International Airport to Makunudu Island
50 minFrom USD 150 - Velana International Airport to Malahini Kuda Bandos
20 minFrom USD 70 - Velana International Airport to Meeru Island Resort & Spa
50 minFrom USD 150 - Velana International Airport to Oaga Art Resort Maldives
1 hrFrom USD 190 - Velana International Airport to OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
1 hrFrom USD 190 - Velana International Airport to OBLU SELECT Lobigili
20 minFrom USD 85 - Velana International Airport to OBLU SELECT Sangeli
50 minFrom USD 170 - Velana International Airport to OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
20 minFrom USD 85 - Velana International Airport to One&Only Reethi Rah
45 minFrom USD 190 - Velana International Airport to OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
50 minFrom USD 150 - Velana International Airport to OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi
30 minFrom USD 100 - Velana International Airport to Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
50 minFrom USD 200 - Velana International Airport to Rosewood Ranfaru Resort
1 hrFrom USD 180 - Velana International Airport to SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton
1 hrFrom USD 65 - Velana International Airport to Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
15 minFrom USD 55 - Velana International Airport to SO/ Maldives
25 minFrom USD 70 - Velana International Airport to Summer Island Maldives
50 minFrom USD 155 - Velana International Airport to Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa
45 minFrom USD 150 - Velana International Airport to Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
20 minFrom USD 75 - Velana International Airport to The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives20 minFrom USD 65
- Velana International Airport to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
50 minFrom USD 200 - Velana International Airport to Velassaru
25 minFrom USD 70 - Velana International Airport to Vihamanaafushi
5 minFrom USD 49.5 - Velana International Airport to Villa Nautica Paradise Island
20 minFrom USD 70 - Velana International Airport to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
40 minFrom USD 150
Packages featuring Kaafu Atoll
5-Night Maafushi Local Island EscapeMTG-curatedMaafushiBudget Holiday Packages5 Nights / 4 DaysQuote on request- Stay at Kaani Beach Hotel
- Fun Dive (Single Tank)
- Sunset Fishing Trip
7-Night Kurumba Resort EscapeMTG-curatedVihamanaafushiDiving Packages7 Nights / 6 DaysQuote on request- Stay at Kurumba Maldives
- PADI Open Water Diver Course
- Sunset Reef Fishing
Family Maldives Holiday — VelassaruMTG-curatedVelassaruFamily Packages7 Nights / 6 DaysQuote on request- Stay at Velassaru Maldives
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Big Game Fishing Trip
Maldives Diving Holiday — BarosMTG-curatedBarosDiving Packages5 Nights / 4 DaysQuote on request- Stay at Baros Maldives
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Fluo Night Diving
Maldives Fishing & Island Hopping PackageMTG-curatedMaafushiFishing Holiday Packages4 Nights / 3 DaysQuote on request- Stay at Kaani Beach Hotel
- Night Fishing Trip
- Based in Maafushi
Explore other Maldives atolls →
Destination content on this page is drawn from MTG’s own previously published Maldives guide.

