Meemu

Meemu Atoll, also known as Mulaku Atoll or Mulakatholhu, is an administrative atoll in the central Maldives about 140 km south of Malé. Its capital, Muli, sits on the atoll's eastern edge and serves as the main administrative and transport hub. The atoll is known for its quiet, low-rise island life, turquoise lagoon and some of the region's less crowded surf and dive sites.

The atoll's history is visible in Kolhufushi Island, home to a historically significant mosque, while no Buddhist remains have been recorded here. A 1573 shipwreck, the Kalhuohfummi, lies off the south-eastern reef of Kolhuvaariyaafushi island. Local island communities are spread across nine inhabited islands, with fishing, boat building and small-scale trade forming the traditional economy.

Muli is the focal point for visitors using local guesthouses, and the atoll's surf breaks around the Mulaku Kandu channel are popular with surfers seeking uncrowded waves. Snorkelling and diving trips explore coral reefs, cleaning stations and channels between the islands, while private-island resorts such as Medhufushi Island Resort and Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa offer a resort-based stay.

Access improved in May 2025 with the opening of Muli Airport, a domestic airfield that connects the atoll more directly to Malé and nearby regions. Work has also begun on infrastructure such as the Muli–Naalaafushi causeway and upgrades to the regional hospital, strengthening Meemu's role as a developing administrative centre.

For travellers, Meemu works as a quieter alternative to the busier central and northern atolls, combining accessible local-island life with surf, diving and resort stays. It is relevant for both leisure visitors seeking a low-key Maldivian experience and business or government travellers visiting the atoll's administrative and development projects.