Lhaviyani

Lhaviyani Atoll, also known as Faadhippolhu, is an administrative atoll in the north-central Maldives known for its clear lagoons, thriving coral reefs and a mix of high-end resort islands and traditional local communities. Its administrative centre and largest settlement is Naifaru, a local island where fishing, boat building and everyday Maldivian life remain central.

The atoll's inhabited islands have long depended on tuna fishing, inter-island trade and skilled boat building, and Naifaru continues that heritage as the main population and service hub. Resort tourism developed later and now shapes much of the local economy, while guesthouses on local islands offer a closer look at Maldivian culture.

Resort islands such as Kuredu, Hurawalhi, Komandoo, Kanuhura, Fushifaru and Le Méridien provide diving, snorkelling, sandbank excursions, spas and water sports. Hurawalhi's 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is a standout attraction, and dive sites including Kuredu Express, the Fushifaru shipwreck and channels rich in reef fish, turtles and rays draw divers from around the world.

Visitors reach Lhaviyani by domestic flight to Madivaru Airport or by seaplane from Velana International Airport near Malé. The atoll suits honeymooners, families, divers and small incentive or retreat groups, combining quiet local-island stays with some of the Maldives' best-known resorts in one easily connected region.