Baa Atoll | |
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 Location of Baa in Maldives | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Corresponding geographic atoll(s) | Maalhosmadulu |
| Location | 5° 23' N and 4° 49' N |
| Capital | Eydhafushi |
| Government | |
| • Body | Baa Atoll Council |
| • President | Ahmed Afrah (MDP) |
| Population | |
• Total | 13,000 |
| Letter code | F |
| Dhivehi letter code | B (ބ) |
| • Number of islands | 75 |
| • Inhabited islands | Dharavandhoo *Dhonfanu *Eydhafushi *Fehendhoo *Fulhadhoo *Goidhoo *Hithaadhoo *Kamadhoo *Kendhoo *Kihaadhoo *Kudarikilu *Maalhos *Thulhaadhoo |
| • Uninhabited islands | Ahivaffushi, Aidhoo, Anhenunfushi, Bathalaa, Bodufinolhu, Boifushi, Dhakendhoo, Dhandhoo, Dhigufaruvinagandu, Dhunikolhu, Enboodhoo, Fehenfushi,Finolhas,Fonimagoodhoo, Fulhadhoorah kairi finonolhu, Funadhoo, Gaagandufaruhuraa, Gaavillingili, Gemendhoo, Hanifaru, Hanifarurah, Hibalhidhoo, Hirundhoo, Horubadhoo, Hulhudhoo, Innafushi, Kanifusheegaathu finolhu, Kanifushi, Kashidhoogiri, Keyodhoo, Kihaadhufaru, Kihavah-huravalhi, Kudadhoo, Kunfunadhoo,Landaa Giraavaru, Lunfares, Maaddoo, Maafushi, Maamaduvvari, Maarikilu, Madhirivaadhoo, Medhufinolhu, Mendhoo,Milaidhoo, Miriandhoo, Muddhoo,Mudhdhoo, Muthaafushi, Nibiligaa, Olhugiri, Thiladhoo, Ufuligiri, Undoodhoo, Vakkaru, Velivarufinolhu, Veyofushee, Vinaneih-faruhuraa, Voavah |
| Resort islands(*), airports(¤) and industrial islands are also considered uninhabited. | |
Baa Atoll (includesSouthern Maalhosmadulu Atoll orMaalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi,Fasdhūtherē Atoll, andGoifulhafehendhu Atoll) is anadministrative division of theMaldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll (which is 42 km long and 32 km wide and consists of 9 inhabited islands), the Fasdūtherē Atoll (wedged in between the two Maalhosmadulu Atolls and separated from north Maalhosmasdulu Atoll by Hani Kandu orMoresby Channel) and the smaller naturalatoll known asGoifulhafehendhu Atoll (Horsburgh Atoll in the Admiralty charts).
Situated on the west of the Maldives atoll chain, it consists of 75 islands of which 13 are inhabited with a population of over 11,000 people. The remaining 57 islands are uninhabited, in addition to eight islands being developed as resorts.
Thulhaadhoo Island is traditionally well known for lacquerwork handicrafts.
Baa Atoll consists in two roughly circular sub-atolls, separated by the narrow Kudarikilu Kandu channel. The total measures approximately 38 km wide (east-west) for 46 km long (north-south), covering a surface of 1 127 km2 surface.[1]
The atoll is formed by 105 coral reefs, representing a reef surface of 263 km2. This reef surface is 61 islands provided with vegetation, and a variable number of sandy bays (between 4 and 14). Half (38) of these islands are less than 10 hectares, constituting less than 20% of the atoll lands.[1]
The biggest island is Dharavandhoo (45,5 ha), followed by Kunfunadhoo (35 ha). The highest point, although difficult to establish, is situated in Funadhoo., with 3,19 m over the sea level.[1]
Maalhosmadulu Atoll is also considered as a good example of the richbiodiversity found in the Maldives, including large mangroves and a unique diversity of fauna, such as the benthic fauna. Furthermore, the ring-shaped reef forms known asfaru in theDhivehi language is areef structure which is unique to theMaldives.
The southernmost uninhabited island ofOlhugiri in the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll lies 13 km north ofGoifulhafehendhu Atoll. Olhugiri is well known for its unique natural vegetation and for providing two of the only perching sites for thegreat frigatebird in the Maldives. Likewise, other marine creatures such as sea turtles andhawksbill turtles can be encountered.
The Fisheries Ministry of the Maldives has banned catching turtles or taking eggs from Olhugiri, which also applies to 11 other islands.
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The Maldives harbors globally-significant biodiversity in its numerous reefs and demonstrates a long history of human interaction with the environment. Covering approximately 139,700 ha of coastal/marine areas, the site is representative of the Maldives’ high diversity of reef animals, with hard and soft corals, reef-associated fish species, marine turtles, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. In addition to its 12,170 inhabitants, some 350,000 tourists visit the biosphere reserve annually. As part of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, the site has great potential for demonstrating sustainable development throughout the Maldives and the region, while relying on a green economy.
Hanifaru Bay which is known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi is thought to be one of the few places in the world wherewhale sharks congregate to mate, although recent research suggests otherwise with the vast majority of the whale sharks seen there being young males. The bay however regularly sees some of the largest gatherings ofmanta rays worldwide with up to one hundred individuals in the small inlet when the tide pushes plankton into the bay.
The designation of Baa Atoll as aUNESCO WorldBiosphere Reserve in June 2011 was a significant achievement for the Maldives.placing it in the company of world famous sites such asKomodo island in Indonesia,Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in Australia and theGalápagos Islands.
Baa Atoll is among the Maldives’ leading centres for tourism, noted for its combination of sustainable environmental management and high-end hospitality within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.[2][3] The atoll hosts several internationally recognised resort islands that attract visitors seeking both luxury and ecological experiences.
One of the prominent resorts located within the atoll is The Nautilus Maldives, situated on the island of Thiladhoo. Opened in 2019, The Nautilus is known for its concept of “a place beyond time,” offering a flexible and highly personalised approach to hospitality.[4] The resort features 26 beach and ocean houses designed to maximise privacy and seclusion, and allows guests to dine “anytime, anywhere,” departing from conventional schedules typical of resort operations.[5]
The Nautilus has received international recognition for its service and design, including awards from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.[6][7] Reflecting Baa Atoll’s environmental significance, the resort also participates in marine conservation projects, such as coral restoration and research collaborations on manta ray populations within the atoll.[8]
Tourism in Baa Atoll continues to balance luxury development with environmental stewardship, reinforcing the region’s reputation as both a biosphere conservation area and a hub for premium Maldivian resort experiences.[2][3][8]
Voavah (also known as Hafnas) is the first island designated byUNESCO as an exclusive use island. Voavah is owned by theFour seasons company and is available for hire.
First-leveladministrative divisions of the Maldives | ||
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| Atolls |  | |
| Cities | ||