Laamu

Laamu Atoll is a large southern atoll in the Maldives, historically known as Haddhunmathi Atoll, known for its quiet local island life, long white sandbanks and some of the country's most extensive mangrove wetlands. Its administrative centre is Fonadhoo, which is linked by causeway to the island of Gan and to Kadhdhoo, home to the atoll's domestic airport.

The atoll has deep historical roots. Isdhoo, in the north, holds the coral stone Isdhoo Old Mosque, built in 1701, and the site where the Isdhoo Loamaafaanu copperplates, among the Maldives' oldest written records, were found. Traditional life still revolves around fishing, boatbuilding and small-scale farming, and local islands retain a distinct Dhivehi culture and dialect.

For visitors, the main draws are the marine environment and uncrowded nature. Six Senses Laamu on Olhuveli Island is the best-known resort, while Rahaa Resort offers a quieter four-star option. Divers and snorkellers explore channels and reef sites near the One and a Half Degree Channel, and surfers come for the Yin Yang right-hand break. Gan's long beach, mangrove areas and local guesthouses round out the experience.

Tourism in Laamu remains low-key compared with the busier central atolls, which is part of its appeal. Island cafés serve hedhikaa short eats and fresh fish, while guesthouses on Gan and Fonadhoo provide a local-island alternative to resorts. Domestic flights to Kadhdhoo make the atoll accessible, and inter-island ferries and private boats connect the inhabited islands.

For travellers, Laamu works both as a slow-paced leisure escape and as a practical base for exploring the southern Maldives. Its combination of heritage, marine life, surf and small guesthouse tourism gives it a different character from the resort-heavy atolls closer to Malé.