Baa Atoll
Seventy-five islands in a UNESCO biosphere reserve north of Malé, a bay where manta rays come to feed, and resorts each on an island of their own.
- Arrival
- Velana International, Malé · MLE
- To the atoll
- About 35 minutes by seaplane
- Private jets
- Land at Velana, then seaplane
- Best time
- January to March
The city
A reserve of reefs and islands.
UNESCO named Baa a biosphere reserve in June 2011. Of its seventy-five islands only thirteen are inhabited, home to about twelve thousand people; on Thulhaadhoo, craft families still turn and lacquer wood on the lathe. Three of the resorts hold MICHELIN Keys, Soneva Fushi with three of them.
The atoll has two seasons worth choosing between. January to March is the driest, with the most sun on the beach. From May to November, when the rains return, manta rays gather to feed in Hanifaru Bay, one of the few places in the world to see them like this, with the peak from August to October.
Arriving
Velana, then north by air.
The atoll lies about 110 to 130 km north of Malé. Long-haul flights land at Velana International; the last leg is a seaplane straight to the resort jetty, or a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo, the atoll’s own airport, and a speedboat.
- Colombo 1 h 25
- Mumbai 2 h 20
- Dubai 4 h 05
- Rome 9 h 40 long-range jet
- Marrakech 11 h 45 long-range jet
When to go
January to March.
Highs of 30 to 32 °C in every month and a sea at 28 to 30 °C. The north-east monsoon brings the calmest, driest weeks between January and March, each under 100 mm. From May the rain climbs past 150 mm a month, and the wet season is also the manta season in Hanifaru Bay.
- 30° J 90 28°
- 31° F 68 28°
- 31° M 81 29°
- 32° A 129 30°
- 31° M 211 30°
- 30° J 183 29°
- 30° J 161 28°
- 30° A 183 29°
- 30° S 213 28°
- 30° O 229 28°
- 30° N 192 28°
- 30° D 198 28°
What to see and do
Days in and around Baa Atoll.
-
Landmark
Hanifaru Bay
A protected bay where mantas and whale sharks come to feed, open to snorkellers only, a few boats at a time.
-
Landmark
Thulhaadhoo
An inhabited island where the old Maldivian craft of lathe-turned lacquerwork is still practised.
-
Landmark
The house reefs
Coral close to the shore of the resort islands, a few strokes from the beach or the villa steps.
-
On the water
Dharavandhoo Thila
Rising to within about 5 metres, this thila draws reef mantas and the odd whale shark in the plankton season, with frogfish and leaf scorpionfish year round.
-
Wildlife
Nelivaru Haa
During the southwest monsoon reef mantas visit this cleaning station, a reef sloping from 14 to about 30 metres among dense schools of glassfish.
-
On the water
Dhigali Haa
One of the earliest protected marine areas in the country, with caves, sea fans and grey reef sharks between 8 and 35 metres.
-
On the water
Dhigu Thila
A long, narrow reef dived as a gentle drift on stronger current days, where sharks, groupers, dogtooth tuna and mobula rays pass.
-
On the water
Dhonfanu Thila
Sharks, Napoleon wrasse and eagle rays are seen here all year, and mantas in season, though strong currents can rule it out.
Where to stay
One island, one resort.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
- Soneva Fushi Around sixty thatched villas under the trees of Kunfunadhoo, the seaplane followed by a short boat ride to the island.
- The Nautilus Maldives Twenty-six beach and ocean houses, each with its own pool, where a House Master plans each day around the guest.
- Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru Villas over the lagoon, on the beach or in the jungle, with manta encounters and a turtle conservation programme.
Where to dine
Tables on the atoll.
No MICHELIN Guide covers the Maldives. Forbes Travel Guide recommends the first for 2026; the others are the fine-dining and tasting rooms of The Nautilus and Soneva Fushi, from their own pages.
- Sea Underwater Restaurant Forbes Travel Guide Recommended 2026 Seafood and caviar Anantara Kihavah, Baa Atoll
- Zeytoun Fine dining, The Nautilus Mediterranean The Nautilus, Baa Atoll
- So Hands On Omakase, Soneva Fushi Japanese Soneva Fushi, Baa Atoll
- Once Upon a Table Tasting menu, Soneva Fushi Guest chef tasting menu Soneva Fushi, Baa Atoll
Flying to Baa Atoll?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.