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Atoll profile
ShaviyaniShaviyani Atoll.
A remote northern atoll of pristine reefs and two pioneering luxury resorts, home to the world's first semi-submerged sculpture gallery.
9properties·avg rating
Atoll profile
ShaviyaniA remote northern atoll of pristine reefs and two pioneering luxury resorts, home to the world's first semi-submerged sculpture gallery.
Destination brief
Shaviyani Atoll occupies the northern third of the Maldives archipelago, roughly 235-270 kilometres north of Male and corresponding to the northern half of the natural Miladhunmadulu formation. Its remoteness is the point: only a handful of resorts operate across 51 islands, dive sites rarely see more than one group at a time, and the outer reefs still carry the near-untouched staghorn and table-coral cover that has been thinned elsewhere in the country. House reefs here typically drop straight from the waterline into sharp-walled channels where grey reef sharks, silvertips, eagle rays and occasional guitar sharks patrol on incoming tides. The atoll's northerly latitude also means it sits largely above the worst of the southwest-monsoon squalls and enjoys some of the most reliably dry weather in the Maldives between November and April.
The luxury footprint is still small enough to name in a sentence: Sirru Fen Fushi, distinguished by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor's Coralarium (launched July 2018, the world's first semi-submerged tidal sculpture gallery), and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa on Vagaru Island, reached by a 55-minute seaplane transfer. The capital, Funadhoo, and inhabited islands such as Komandoo and Maaungoodhoo retain a fishing-first economy that has changed little in a generation; the island of Maroshi is historically linked to Bodu Thakurufaanu's 16th-century campaign against Portuguese occupation, when the legendary Kalhuoffummi vessel sheltered in its lagoon at night. Shaviyani suits travellers who value low diver density, intact reef scenery and a frontier-feel stay over central-atoll proximity.
The Coralarium at Sirru Fen Fushi, opened in July 2018, is the world's first semi-submerged tidal art museum. Conceived by British eco-artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the six-metre, 180-tonne stainless-steel cube houses hybrid human-plant-coral sculptures cast from local islanders and is designed to function as a living artificial reef, with pH-neutral marine compounds chosen to attract coral settlement over time.
Field notes
Loley Thila
Lupo Thila
Ekasdhoo North
Secret Shark Spot
Kuredhivaru Thila
Narudhoo Outreef
Schooling grey reef sharks at Loley Thila
Silvertip and whitetip sharks on channel dives
Nurse sharks resting in overhangs at Ekasdhoo North
Guitar sharks, marble rays and eagle rays on sandy channels
Intact staghorn and table-coral gardens from 5 metres
Accommodation Collection
Frequently Asked
Shaviyani Atoll sits approximately 210-270 km north of Male from Velana International Airport (Malé). The standard transfer is Seaplane (45-55 min) from Velana International. Your resort or guesthouse will typically arrange the transfer as part of your booking.
November to April (calm seas, driest weather). Shaviyani's northern latitude keeps it among the driest atolls during the northeast monsoon (Nov-Apr). The southwest monsoon (May-Oct) brings squalls and stronger currents but also nutrient-rich water that draws pelagics into the channels.
We currently list 9 properties in Shaviyani 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 Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. 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 Loley Thila, Lupo Thila, Ekasdhoo North, Secret Shark Spot. Highlights: Schooling grey reef sharks at Loley Thila; Silvertip and whitetip sharks on channel dives; Nurse sharks resting in overhangs at Ekasdhoo North. Most resorts operate PADI-certified dive centres with daily boat dives and house-reef snorkelling.
The Coralarium at Sirru Fen Fushi, opened in July 2018, is the world's first semi-submerged tidal art museum. Conceived by British eco-artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the six-metre, 180-tonne stainless-steel cube houses hybrid human-plant-coral sculptures cast from local islanders and is designed to function as a living artificial reef, with pH-neutral marine compounds chosen to attract coral settlement over time.