Diving the Maldives' Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu & Shaviyani AtollsHaa Alifu is formed from the northern part of Thiladhunmathi Atoll and Ihavandhippulhu Atoll together they form the Maldives' northern most tip. Haa Alifu is the nation's birthplace as it was the birthplace, in 1573, of Sultan Ghaazee Mohammed Thakurufaanu who freed the Maldives from Portuguese rule. There are around 42 island here, 16 of which are inhabited. Air access is only possible via a small airport in neighbouring Haa Dhaalu with flights to Male, 450 Kilometers to the south. With just two tourist resorts and one liveaboard regularly diving Haa Alifu there is plenty still to be discovered about of the diving here.
Haa Dhaalu has, since 1998, been the site for marine research into reef conditions and the the affects of coral bleaching. With one resort due to open in Haa Dhaalu like so much in these northern atolls there is still plenty to be discovered about the areas diving. Haa Dhaalu includes Maamakunudhoo Atoll to the south east which is known to be the graveyard of several ships including the English ship Persia Merchant (wrecked 1658) and the Hayston (ran onto the reef 1819)
North Miladhummadulu or Shaviyani Atoll is the third most northerly of all the Maldivian atolls, located between Haa Dhaal Atoll to the north and Noonu Atoll to its south. Shaviyani has 51 islands of which only 16 are inhabited but difficult to access there has been no significant tourist development so the diving here is little known. Liveaboards very rarely get to Shaviyani.
Overview: Diving the Maldives
Diving Holidays in the Maldives
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