Ari Atoll
Ari Atoll is one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, covering an area of 80×30 km, as large as North Male and South Male atolls combined. Located to the west of South Male Atoll, it took on the third wave of the resort construction boom in the early 1990s, following two atolls on either side of the capital that had been developed two decades earlier. Ari now has 30 resort islands, meaning it has the most in the archipelago.
General Information
The chase for tourist dollars has displaced many traditional island activities such as fishing, turtle hunting and coral collecting. Residents of the atoll seek employment at resorts or engage in ancillary crafts such as making handicrafts for souvenirs. Ancient shark hunting was long practiced on the atoll, but in 2009 the government imposed a total ban on shooting reef sharks. Now they entertain scuba divers and whale sharks are frequent visitors. The atoll is also known for its tila diving.
.In Ari Atoll, as well as North Male Atoll, most of the resorts are located on the southeastern tip. Ari Atoll’s administrative boundaries include the tiny atolls of Tomu and Rasdu. The atoll used to be famous for two “attractions”: the remains of a Buddhist temple discovered by archaeologists in the 1950s, and for its watermelons!
.Beaches
Ari has a whole scattering of fantastic beaches, of which it’s impossible to single out the best. If you get bored of the usual stretch of sand, some resorts, such as Sunny Island in the south of the atoll, offer guests a boat trip to one of the uninhabited islets nearby for a change of scenery. You can also go to one of the picnic islets, like Gaatufushi, which are located about mid-north of Ari, near the W Retreat & Spa. They are usually uninhabited and are used by the resorts for their own purposes: bathing facilities, showers and cafes are set up there. While it’s hard to beat Maldivian beaches, these islets have a pristine, somewhat rough-hewn charm that contrasts with the refined beauty of resort landscapes.
.Boat rides
Many resorts organize a variety of boat rides, ranging from hour-long sunset rides, fishing and dolphin trips to excursions that take all day. In this case, you will be taken to a local village (it will be prepared, as it is, for the tourists’ visit), a picnic island or another resort.
.Wanting to spend as much time as possible in the open ocean, you can, for example, live aboard a ship. The biggest player in this field is Atoll Explorer. It organizes two tours, each starting from Male and passing through Ari Atoll. The former oil ship has 20 air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, and there is even a swimming pool. These tours, also called safaris, are mainly for divers who want to do their favorite activity in secluded, rarely visited places. There is a PADI dive center right on board.
.Another way to spend as much time as possible in the ocean requires quite a budget. That’s a stay at the luxurious W Retreat & Spa, which owns its own yacht with the aptly named Escape, or “Escape.” Guests can charter this two-masted vessel for sunset cruises, special occasions, or just cruising around for fun.
.Diving
Ari does not have a long barrier reef like everywhere else in the archipelago. Its reef is characterized by numerous passages and a huge variety of underwater life. There are many wrecks lying on the bottom. The Halaveli Diving School, run by the highly reputable Constance group, deliberately sank a 33-meter cargo ship and now has a home for spotted stingrays near the reef.
.A diving school on Mirihi Island did the same thing to a Taiwanese fishing vessel. And now the former trawler, lying on the ocean floor north of Vilingili-Falu, has become a pilgrimage site for divers. There are numerous tila diving spots, such as the spot off Fish Head, or Mushimasmingali Tila, which just south of the island of the same name, has earned a reputation as one of the best. Gangehi-Kandu is considered the longest canal in the country at 2.5 km. The reef south of Chaaya Ellaidu is recognized by the commonwealth of divers as one of the best in the country. Kuramati Atoll is home to a decompression chamber.
.Water sports
In Ari Atoll you will find the usual array of water sports: snorkeling, paragliding, canoeing, windsurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, powerboat and water sled races. If water activities are a big part of your life, it’s best to find out in advance what hotels offer: some offer non-motorized water sports for free.
.How to get there
Getting from Male to Ari Atoll can be done by seaplane or speedboat. The flight takes an average of 15-35 minutes, while the water transportation trip takes about two hours. If you’re already engaged for the boat transfer but would like to enjoy a scenic (and potentially smoother) flight, you can realize your dream upon arrival at Male airport.
.
