Kaafu is a region of the Maldives, which covers North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll and the islands of Kaashidhoo and Gaafaru.

Cities

• 1 Male — the capital city. The airport island Hulhule is located nearby.
• 2 Hulhumale — artificial island near Male
• 3 Maafushi

Understand

Surrounding both the capital Male and its airport, North and South Male have seen the heaviest amount of tourist development in the country. Practically all uninhabited islands of this atoll became tourist resorts during the two final decades of the 20th century; Club Med and Sheraton are two of the companies with resorts there.

Get in

Practically all visitors fly into Velana International Airport, near the capital island Malé. from where all resorts in Kaafu are accessible from Velana International Airport in an hour by speedboat or 15 minutes by Seaplane.

Do

Scuba diving and snorkelling are the main activities.

Sleep

All resorts listed here are on private islands.

Mid-range

• OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, North Male, ☏ +960 6644615. Swiss-run 50-room resort at the northernmost tip of North Male Atoll, catering primarily to divers. Rooms are basic and have open-air bathrooms. OceanPro dive shop, small pool, one restaurant and bar, very limited recreational activities aside from diving. The house reef and nearby diving are excellent, but fairly exposed to currents. US$160. 
• Thulhagiri Island Resort, North Male (25 min by speedboat from airport), ☏ +960 6645930. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 55 basic beach bungalows and 17 water bungalows (fully separated, with direct reef access). Good house reef, excellent Sub-Aqua 5* PADI dive centre (~US$50/dive), small pool, some watersports but minimal other facilities (no spa). One restaurant, mostly buffet fare, half/full board packages only. Drinks very reasonably priced (wine from US$2/glass). A very good budget choice. Beach bungalows US$200, water bungalows US$350. 

Splurge

• Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, Dhigufinolhu (25 min from airport by speedboat), ☏ +960 6644100, dhigumaldives@anantara.com. Formerly Dhigufinolhu. Great spa, several restaurants, poor house reef. Starting from US$516. 
• 1 Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, Veligandu, ☏ +960 6644100, velimaldives@anantara.com. Tropical wooden bungalows have flat-screen TV, DVD player and espresso machine. Starting from US$705. 
• Kurumba Maldives (10 min from airport by speedboat), ☏ +960 6642324, reservations@kurumba.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 4.5 star resort with 8 restaurants, 3 bars, spa, water sports, dive centre, recreation centre, kids club, entertainment, house reef and nice beaches. Range of meal plans including all inclusive menu options. US$300-1500. 
• 2 Naladhu Maldives (on Veligandu Huraa Island), ☏ +960 664 4105, stay@naladhu.com. Houses have either beach or ocean views. Each house has a private pool, steam room and personal 24-hour butler service. Starting from US$999. 
• 3 SAii Lagoon Maldives, Eh’mafushi, South Atoll, ☏ +960 665-1300, rsvn.lagoon@SAiiResorts.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A 5-star modern resort with 198 rooms and villas on the beach and overwater, with offer 12 restaurants, retail shops, event hall, watersports and dive centre. Starting from US$225. 
• 4 Huvafen Fushi Maldives, North Atoll, ☏ +960 664 4222, stay@huvafenfushi.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. It features overwater and beach bungalows with private pools, free Wi-Fi throughout the property and 6 dining outlets. Starting from US$700. 
• 5 Velassaru Maldives, Velassaru, South Atoll, ☏ +960 665 6100, info@velassaru.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Offers luxurious beachfront and over-water accommodations with uninterrupted ocean views. It features a wide range of water and adventure sports, as well as sunset cruises and yoga classes Starting from US$215. 
• Grand Park Kodhipparu, North Atoll, ☏ +960 665 1111, info.gpkd@parkhotelgroup.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Starting from US$442. 
• 6 Hard Rock Maldives, Akasdhoo, South Atoll, ☏ +960 665-1400, rsvn@hrhmaldives.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is a five-star beach resort in the Indian Ocean where Music is the forte and is infused into the underwater tunes at Pool Bar, memorabilia at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, and Crosley turntable amenity. 

• 7 Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, North Atoll, ☏ +960 6640066, dhonveli@cinnamonhotels.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Starting from US$225. 

Go next

Most resorts run shopping and sightseeing excursions to Male.

• Maafushi
• Gulhi
• Vilingili