195IN

DEX

AAarah 110accommodation 169-70, see also

choosing a resortactivities 55-6, see also diving,

kitesurfing, snorkelling, surfing, water sports

Addu Atoll 164-8, 165air travel

airlines 179charter airlines 179-80to/from the Maldives 179-80within the Maldives 181-2

Al Barbary, Abul Barakat Yoosuf 18, 100

alcohol 40, 173Alifushi 149Andre, Andreas 19animals 44-6, see also marine life,

turtlesarchaeology, see Heyerdahl, Thorarchitecture 36Ari Atoll 134-42, 132art galleries, see also museums

National Art Gallery, Male’ 100artificial beach, Male’ 101arts 35-8, see also architecture, crafts,

dance, literature, visual artsatolls 45, 47ATMs 174

BBaa 150-2beaches 66, 76-7, 76-7Bell, HCP 18, 162, 164, 165bends, see decompression sicknessbicycle travel, see cyclingbirds 45bleaching, see coral boat travel 182, see also dhoni,

ferries, vedhisafari boats 64-5

Bodufinolhu 162Boli Mulah 157books 14-16, 35-6bookshops 94

Buddhism 18-19in Ari Atoll 131, 134in North & South Male’ Atolls 124in northern atolls 146in southern atolls 162, 163, 165

Buruni 161business hours 170

Cchildren, travel with 41, 66, 103, 170-1choosing a resort 53-66climate 171, see also weatherconservation, see environmentconsulates 172coral 46-8

coral bleaching 48, 85coral cuts 184

costs 13-14, 57courses 72, 81, 171crafts 36-8credit cards 174culture 26-34cultural considerations 39, 41customs regulations 171cycling 108, 168

Ddance 35dangers 171-2Darwin, Charles 47day trips 56decompression sickness 83-4desalination 50Dhaalu 159-60, 161Dhekunuboduveli 158Dhevvadhoo 162Dhidhdhoo 143Dhiffushi 111-13Dhiyamigili 161dhoni 29, 182Dhoonidhoo 110Didi, Abdulla Afif 22, see also southern

rebellionDidi, Mohammed Amin 21disabilities, travellers with 177dive sites 70-1, 72, 75

Aquarium 113Banana Reef 113-14Blue Canyon 113Bodu Hithi Thila 4, 113

British Loyalty Wreck 165Broken Rock 135Colosseum 113Devana Kandu 156Dhidhdhoo Beyru 135Dhigali Haa 150Ellaidhoo House Reef 134Embudhoo Express 75, 125, 74Fesdhoo Island House Reef

(W Retreat & Spa) 75Fesdu Wreck 134Filitheyo Reef 159Fish Head 134Fotteyo 156-7Fushi Kandu 160Fushifaru Thila 153Giant Clam 157Guraidhoo Kandu 125-6Halaveli Wreck 134Hans Hass Place 102Helengeli Thila 113HP Reef 113Kakani Thila 150Kani Corner 113Kuda Giri 125Kuda Kandu 75, 165, 75Kudarah Thila 135Kuramathi House Reef 133Kuredhoo Express 152-3Lankan Caves 113Lion’s Head 102Maa Kandu 165Maaya Thila 75, 134, 74Macro Spot 160Madi Finolhu 150Maldives Victory wreck 103Manta Point 113Manta Reef 134-5Milaidhoo Reef 150Muthafushi Thila 150Nassimo Thila 113Okobe Thila 113Orimas Thila 134Panetone 134Peak 113Rakeedhoo Kandu 157Rasdhoo Madivaru 75, 133Rasfari 113Shark Point, Addu Atoll 165Shark Point, North Male’ Atoll 113

IndexSee also separate index for Resorts (p198)

000 Map pages000 Photograph pages

© Lonely Planet

INDEX

Shark’s Tongue 157Shipyard 75, 153, 74Two Brothers 159Vaadhoo Caves 125Vaagali Caves 125Vattaru Kandu 157Velassaru Caves 125

Divehi language 185-6diving 55, 69-85

courses 72, 81, 171dive safaris 69-70dive shops, Male’ 106emergencies 84equipment 81-2health considerations 82-4insurance 84responsible diving 84-5seasons 72

documents, see passports, visasdolphin-watching 49, 59drinks 40, see also alcohol, water, wine

Eeconomy 28-9ecotourism 16, 55education 27-8Ekulhivaru 149Elaa 161electricity 175embassies 172Embudhoofushi 160emergencies 95, see also inside

front coverendangered species 45-6entertainment 63-4environment 43-52

environmental issues 50-2Eththigili 149Eydhafushi 150exchange rates, see inside front cover

F Faafu 158-9, 161Faridhoo 146Farukolhu 147fauna 44-6, see also marine lifeFelidhoo 156Felivaru 152Fenfushi 134ferries 182Feydhoo 166-7

fish 48, 78-80, 86-9, 78-80 see also rays, sharks, whale sharks

fish market, Male’ 100fish-spotters’ guide 78-9, 86-9, 78-9fishing

commercial 51recreational 56

FIT 15flora 46Fonadhoo 162food 39-42

food glossary 42resort food 59-63vegetarian food 41, 65

football, see sportsFriday Mosque, Isdhoo 162Fulhadhoo 150Fulidhoo 156Fully Independent Travellers 15Funadhoo, Male’ 110 Funadhoo, Shaviyani 147Funamudua 162Fuvahmulah 163-4

GGaaf Alif 162Gaaf Dhaal 163Gaakoshibi 147Gaamaadhoo 111Gaarfaru Falhu 125Gaaundoodhoo 149Gadhdhoo 163Gan, Laamu 162Gan, Gaaf Dhaal 163 Gan, Addu Atoll 165Gan Memorial 166Gasgandufinolhu 162Gasveli 158gay travellers 172Gayoom, Maumoon Abdul 11, 22-5geography 43-4

atoll formation 47geology 44, 47giris 71, see also dive sitesglobal warming 12, 51Gnaviyani 163-4Goidhoo 150Grand Friday Mosque, Male’ 99Gulhi 125Guraidhoo, South Male’ Atoll 125Guraidhoo, Thaa 161

HHaa Alif 143-6Haa Dhaal 146

health 183-4decompression sickness 83-4insurance 173medical services 183vaccinations 183

Heyerdahl, Thor 14, 18, 21, 98, 147, 159, 162, 163, 164

Himmafushi 111Hinnavaru 152history 18-25

2008 elections 25Black Friday 24British influence 21-2conversion to Islam 18-19Indian Ocean tsunami 24-5Portuguese influence 19Protected Independence 19-20Republic 22southern rebellion 22, 162,

163, 164Hithadhoo, Laamu 162Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll 166-7Holhudhoo 147holidays 172-3Hondaafushi 146honeymoon 53, 54-5, 63hotels, Male’ 103-4house reefs, see snorkelling, divingHukuru Miskiiy, see Old Friday

Mosque, Male’Hulhudheli 160Hulhule’ 108Hulhumale’ 109Hulhumeedhoo 167Huraa 111Huvandhumaavattaru 149Huvarafushi 143-5

IIguraidhoo 149illicit drugs 173independent travel, see Fully

Independent Travellersinhabited islands 8, 170Innamaadhoo 149insurance

travel 173, 183diving 84

internetaccess 173resources 16

Isdhoo 162Islam 30-4Islamic Centre, Male’ 99island tours, see day trips

196 I n d e x ( D - I )

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INDEX

Jjewellery 38

KKaadedhoo 163Kaashidhoo 124-5Kalhufahalafushi 161Kambaalifaru 147Kandholhudhoo 149Kanditheemu 147kandus 71, see also dive sitesKelaa 145Keyodhoo 156Kibidhoo 161Kihavahuravalhi 151Kinolhas 149kitesurfing 128, 150, 153Kodey 162Kolhuvaariyaafushi 157Kondeymatheelaabadhu 162Kudabandos 110Kudahuvadhoo 159Kudamuraidhoo 146Kudausfushi 158Kudhoo 162Kulhuduffushi 146Kumundhoo 146

LLaamu 162lacquer 37-8, 98, 150land reclamation 51, 97, 109-10Landhoo 147language 185-6legal matters 173lesbian travellers 172Lhaviyani 152-5literature 14-16, 35Lundhufushi 149

MMaafilaafushi 152Maafushi, Dhaalu 160Maafushi, South Male’ Atoll 125Maalefushi 161Maamigili 134Maandhoo 162Maanenfushi 149Maavelavaru 149Magoodhoo 158Mahadhdhoo 162Mahibadhoo 134Male’ 8, 93-108, 95, 98, 8

eating 104-6entertainment 106

getting around 108getting there & away 107-8information 94-7islands around Male’ 108-10sights & activities 97-101shopping 106sleeping 103-4

Manadhoo 147manta rays, see raysmaps 173Maradhoo 166-7marine life 46-9, see also fish, rays,

sharks, turtles, whale sharksmarkets, Male’ 100marriage ceremonies 173-4measures 175Medhu Ziyaarath, Male’ 99-100media 30, 175medical services 183, see also healthMeemu 157-8, 161metric conversions, see inside

front covermoney 174-5, see also inside

front coverATMs 174cash 174credit cards 174international transfers 174tipping 174travellers cheques 174-5

Moresby Channel 149mosques, Male’ 100Mudhdhoo 151Muleeaage, Male’ 99-100Muli 157museums

Meeru Island Resort museum 116National Museum, Male’ 98

NNaagoashi 146Naifaru 152Nalandhoo 147Narudhoo 147Nasheed, Mohammed 11, 25National Art Gallery, Male’ 100National Museum, Male’ 98national parks 49Nilandhoo 158-9Noonu 147-8North Male’ Atoll 111-24, 112northern atolls 143-55northern tourism zone 148, 148

OOld Friday Mosque, Male’ 97-8Olhugiri 161Olhuveli 160over-water villas 54

Ppassports 179people 26-8permits 176-7planning 13-17, 53-66plants 46politics 30population 30Portuguese influence 19postal services 175produce market, Male’ 100Protected Marine Areas 49

Ari Atoll 134Male’ 102North Male’ Atoll 113northern atolls 153South Male’ Atoll 125-6southern atolls 156-7, 159, 160

RRaa 149-50radio 175Rakeedhoo 156Randheli 149Rasdhoo Atoll 131-4Rasgetheemu 149rays 49, 80, 88, 80Redin people 18, 162religion 30-4resorts 53-66, see also Resorts subindex

resort meal packages 62-3resort ratings 60-1resort types 53-9

responsible travel 16-17, 43restaurants

at resorts 59-63in Male’ 104-6

Ribudhoo 160room types 57rubbish island, see Thilafushi

Ssailing, see water sportssafari cruises 64-5, 170seaplanes 7, 58, 181-2, 7sea travel, see boat travelsharks 6, 48-9, 80, 87, 184, 6 see also

whale sharksShaviyani 146-7

I n d e x ( J - S ) 197

INDEX

shipwrecks 71-2British Loyalty 165Corbin 150Erlangen 125Fesdu wreck 134Halaveli Wreck 134Hayston 146Kuda Giri wreck 125Lady Christine 125Lagan Bank 162Liffey 159Maldive Victory 103Persia Merchant 146SS Seagull 125Shipyard wrecks 153Utheem 159

Shopping, Male’ 106snorkelling 56-7, 67-9soccer, see sportssolo travellers 175-6South Male’ Atoll 125-30, 126southern atolls 156-68southern rebellion 22, 162-4spa treatments 58, 65special events, see holidaysspeedboats, see boat travelsports 34-5Sultan’s Park, Male’ 98surfing 89-91, 111, 117, 118, 119, 163

surf breaks 89, 90, 91, 90surf shops, Male’ 106surfaris, see safari cruises

sustainable travel 16-17, 43

Ttaxis 108, 182telephone services 176television 175tetrapod monument, Male’ 101Thaa 160-1Thakurufaanu, Mohammed 20, 100theft 171-2Thiladhunmathee 20Thilafushi 110thilas 71, see also dive sitesThimarafushi 161Thinadhoo 163Thoddoo Atoll 131Thulhaadhoo 150Thulusdhoo 111time 176

tipping 174toilets 176Tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu 100tourism 51-2tourist information 96, 176tours, see day trips, safari cruisestravel 179-82

independent travel 15safari cruises 64-5travel agencies 96-7

travel permits 176-7turtles 45-6, 80, 80

UUgoofaaru 149Uligamu 143Utheemu 145

V Vaadhoo 163Vaavu 156-7, 161Vagaru 147Vaikaradhoo 146Vakkaru 151vedhi 182vegetarian travelers 41, 65Velidhoo 147Veymandhoo 161Viligili, Gaaf Alif 162Viligili, Male’ 108Vilufushi 161visas 177-8, see also passportsvisual arts 36

Wwalking tour, Male’ 101-2, 102water 40, 62

water conservation 50water sports 58water villas 54weather 13, see also climatewebsites 16weights 175whale sharks 68, 71, 80, 80whale submarine 100-1whale-watching 49, 59wildlife 44-9windsurfing, see water sportswine 40women in the Maldives 32-3women travellers 178wrecks, see shipwrecks

Yyachting 181

RESORTSAdaaran Club Bathala 135-6Adaaran Club Rannalhi 128Adaaran Prestige Vadoo 130Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi 119Adaaran Select Meedhupparu 149-50Alila Villas Hadahaa 162Alila Villas Lonudhuahutta 163Alimatha Aquatic 157Anantara Dhigu 129-30Anantara Veli 129-30Angaga 136Angsana Ilhuru 121Angsana Velavaru 160Asdu Sun Island 115Athuruga 137-8Bandos Island Resort 118-19Banyan Tree Madivaru 141-2Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru 122-3Baros 121Beach House at Manafaru 146Biyadhoo 127Chaaya Island Dhonveli 117-18Chaaya Lagoon Hakuraa Huraa 157-8Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo 135Cinnamon Island Resort & Spa 145Club Faru 116-17Club Med Kani 119Coco Palm Boduhithi 122Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu 77, 151, 76Coco Palm Kudahithi 124Cocoa Island 77, 129, 77Conrad Maldives Rangali Island 139-40Constance Halaveli Resort 141Dhiggiri 157Dhoni Island 141Diva Resort & Spa 140Embudu Village 126-7Equator Village 167-8Eriyadu 117Fihalhohi Resort 127Filitheyo 159Four Seasons Kuda Huraa 8, 121-2, 8Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru 152Fun Island Resort 130Gangehi Island Resort 138Giravaru 114Helengeli 115Holiday Island 137Huvafen Fushi 124Irufushi Beach & Spa Resort 147Island Hideaway 145-6J Resort Handhufushi 168J Resort Kudarah 138Jumeirah Maldives (Bolifushi) 130

198 I n d e x ( S - Y )

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INDEX

Kandooma 127-8Kanuhura 77, 154-5, 76Kihaad 150-1Komandoo Island Resort 154Kuramathi Blue Lagoon 133Kuramathi Cottage & Spa 133Kuramathi Village 133Kuredu Island Resort 153Kurumba Maldives 120Lily Beach Resort 140Maayafushi 135Machchafushi Island Resort 141Madoogali 136Mahureva Gasfinolhu 124Makunudu Island 119-20Medhufushi 158Meeru Island Resort 5, 77, 115-16,

5, 77Mirihi 139

Moofushi 141Naladhu 130Nika Island 138-9Olhuveli Beach & Spa 128One & Only Reethi Rah 123Palm Beach Resort 77, 153-4, 77Paradise Island 118Raffles Konottaa 163Rania Experience 159Ranveli Beach Resort 136Reethi Beach Resort 150Rihiveli Beach Resort 128-9Royal Island Resort & Spa 151Shangri-la Vilingili Resort & Spa 168Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort

& Spa 120Six Senses Latitude Laamu 162Soneva Fushi 151-2Soneva Gili 123-4

Soul Salus Fushi 162Summer Island Village 116Sun Island 137Taj Coral Reef 124Taj Exotica 130Thudufushi 138Thulhagiri 6, 114-15, 6Twin Island 141Vakarufalhi 141Velassaru 130Velidhu Island Resort 137Veligandu 133-4Vilamendhoo 136-7Villivaru 130Vilu Reef 160W Retreat & Spa 140-1Zitahli Kuda-Fanafaru Maldives 147Zitahli Resort & Spa Dholhiyadhoo 147

I n d e x ( R e s o r t s ) 199

Although the authors and Lonely Planet have taken all reasonable care in preparing this book, we make no warranty about the accuracy or completeness of its content and, to the maximum extent permitted, disclaim all liability arising from its use.

200

InformationEatingSights/ActivitiesSYMBOLS

Resort Telecom TowerGeographic

Bank, ATMEmbassy/Consulate

Hospital, MedicalInformation

Internet FacilitiesPolice Station

Post OfficeTelephone

Toilets

Point of Interest

TransportAirport, Airfield

SleepingSleeping

ShoppingShopping

EntertainmentEntertainment

EatingBeach

IslamicMonument

Museum, Gallery

Ruin

Diving, Snorkelling

Surfing, Surf BeachSleeping

CAPITAL (NATIONAL)POPULATION

CAPITAL (Administrative District)

RocksBuilding

Land

MarketArea of Interest Park

Sports

Airport

Beach, Desert

AREA FEATURES

Marine ParkTourism ZoneInternational

BOUNDARIES

Administrative Districts

ReefWaterRiver, Creek

HYDROGRAPHY

FerryTRANSPORT

Walking Tour DetourWalking Tour

LaneTertiary

Track

Primary Mall/StepsSecondary

Unsealed Road

One-Way StreetROUTESMAP LEGEND

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Cover photograph: View from a beach to a bungalow in a lagoon, Soneva Gili, North Male’ Atoll, Maldives, Isu/Getty Images. Many of the images in this guide are available for licensing from Lonely Planet Images: www.lonelyplanetimages.com.

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