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Atoll profile
Haa DhaaluHaa Dhaalu Atoll.
A far-north frontier destination with uncharted dive sites and pioneering resorts.
28properties·avg rating
Atoll profile
Haa DhaaluA far-north frontier destination with uncharted dive sites and pioneering resorts.
Destination brief
In the far north of the Maldives, Haa Dhaalu Atoll is one of the most remote and least-visited atolls. This frontier destination offers spectacular diving in uncharted waters, encounters with whale sharks and mantas, and a glimpse into traditional Maldivian life far from the tourist centres. JW Marriott Maldives and other properties are pioneering luxury tourism here.
Makunudhoo, the atoll's westernmost island, is the single westernmost inhabited point in the Maldives; its surrounding reefs are so lightly dived that major sites there, including the Makunudhoo Wreck, remain effectively uncharted to most visiting operators.
Field notes
Maareha Kandu
Faarufushi Thila
Hani Kandu
Kuda Faru
Makunudhoo
Makunudhoo Wreck
Uncrowded manta cleaning stations, 2-8 mantas per encounter, Dec-Apr
Seasonal whale shark passes along outer reefs
Reef sharks, eagle rays and turtles on pristine drop-offs
Dense hard-coral gardens still largely unmapped by dive operators
Dhipparufushi
Hanimaadhoo, local-island boutique
Accommodation Collection
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Frequently Asked
Haa Dhaalu Atoll sits approximately Approx 280 km north of Malé (Velana/MLE); Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) sits within the atoll from Velana International Airport (Malé). The standard transfer is Domestic flight Malé (MLE) to Hanimaadhoo (HAQ), roughly 45 minutes, followed by a speedboat of 10-60 minutes depending on resort; direct 70-75 minute seaplane from Malé for Soneva Secret. Your resort or guesthouse will typically arrange the transfer as part of your booking.
December to April for calm seas, strongest visibility and peak manta activity; November and May are shoulder months with changing conditions. Northeast (iruvai) monsoon December-April brings the driest, calmest conditions. Southwest (hulhangu) monsoon May-November is wetter with reduced visibility, though resorts and dive centres operate year-round.
We currently list 28 properties in Haa Dhaalu Atoll on Resortlife. The atoll has roughly 2 resort islands in total, with options ranging from intimate guesthouses on local islands to ultra-luxury overwater resorts.
For travel trade
Contracted net rates, multilingual GROs at Velana, charter-flight coordination and 24/7 partner support.
Notable properties include Soneva Secret (Dhipparufushi), Hondaafushi Island Resort, The Barefoot Eco Hotel & Villas (Hanimaadhoo, local-island boutique). Which resort suits you depends on travel style — honeymoon, family, dive-focused, or budget-conscious — our specialists can match you to the right island.
Key dive sites include Maareha Kandu, Faarufushi Thila, Hani Kandu, Kuda Faru (Makunudhoo). Highlights: Uncrowded manta cleaning stations, 2-8 mantas per encounter, Dec-Apr; Seasonal whale shark passes along outer reefs; Reef sharks, eagle rays and turtles on pristine drop-offs. Most resorts operate PADI-certified dive centres with daily boat dives and house-reef snorkelling.
Makunudhoo, the atoll's westernmost island, is the single westernmost inhabited point in the Maldives; its surrounding reefs are so lightly dived that major sites there, including the Makunudhoo Wreck, remain effectively uncharted to most visiting operators.