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Vaavu and Meemu Atolls

Vaavu, or Felidhu as it is also known, is a gem of an atoll located at the easternmost point of the Maldives, less than 70km south from the bustling capital of Malé. The boot-shaped atoll is home to the longest continuous reef in the Maldives, totalling 55-kilometres of unbroken coral. This reef is pierced by several narrow channels that act as magnets for marine life, attracting huge amounts of sharks, schooling fish and plenty of other bigger species. It is these channels that have put Vaavu’s diving on the map as they regularly provide some of the most exciting, adrenaline-fuelled experiences in the Maldives.

Just five of Vaavu’s islands are inhabited and the number of people that call the atoll home is less than 1500, making it the least populated Maldivian atoll. South of Vaavu, Meemu is another scarcely populated atoll, with just nine inhabited islands on the outer reef, and some 30 small uninhabited islands scattered throughout the lagoon. Tourism is also very underdeveloped in these two destinations and guests have just a handful of guesthouses on the local islands and several luxury resorts to choose from. But, what Vaavu and Meemu lack in quantity, they more than make up for in quality. The beautiful islands and laid-back atmosphere offer the chance of a real escape, an opportunity to experience more of the real Maldives - as well as some extraordinary diving.

How you get to and from Vaavu and Meemu is very much dependent on where you are staying and your budget. If you are staying at one of the resort islands, your resort will pick you up directly from Malé airport as part of the package. We’ll help reserve this transfer when making your booking.

If you are staying on Vaavu’s local island of Fulidhoo, a public speedboat is the most convenient way to get to the island, taking just over an hour. Speedboats leave at 11am every day except Friday. If you are on a budget, a government-run ferry leaves Malé from Villingili terminal three times a week, taking over three hours to reach Fulidhoo. Departures are on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. If you can, time your flight arrival at Malé airport prior to 8am or, if you are in Malé the day before, you can buy a ticket when they go on sale at 3pm. It is worth pre-purchasing a ticket to ensure a spot. The return ferry from Fulidhoo to Malé leaves at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

While plans are underway to build a new airport in Meemu, currently, the easiest way to reach your final destination is via a seaplane transfer from Malé. If you’re staying at one of the resorts, they will generally organise a transfer for you. A local ferry service operates between the inhabited islands on the eastern edge of the atoll.

The Maldives experience a tropical monsoonal climate, with two distinct seasons; the dry northeast monsoon (January - April) and the wet southwest monsoon (May - November). Temperatures can range from 25-31°C, with an average year-round temperature around 27°C. Water temperatures are also relatively constant throughout the year at 26-29°C.

The best time to dive Leemu and Vaavu is during the northeast monsoon, when the visibility is good and the famous eastern channels are at their very best. More mantas can be found in the channels during the wet southwest monsoon, particularly between May and June.

For decades, Vaavu and Meemu were the domain of liveaboards only, as the local islands were closed to tourism. However, following the government’s decision to open up all of the atolls, a number of small resorts have sprung up, offering an alternative to liveaboard tours.

Most of Vaavu’s accommodation options are small and are located in the north or northeast of the atoll. We would recommend Fulidhoo Dive, located on Fulidhoo Island in the north of the atoll. Presently, there are just a couple of resorts in Meemu Atoll, Medhufushi Island Resort and Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, both of which are located near the capital island of Muli.