North Ari Atoll (Alifu Alifu), The Maldives
The Ari Atoll is one of natural atolls of the Maldives. The separation of Ari Atoll (formerly Alifu Atoll) into a Northern and a Southern section has formed the two most recent administrative divisions of the Maldives, namely Alifu Alifu Atoll and Alifu Dhaalu Atolls. The North Ari Atoll includes Rasdhoo Atoll and the tiny atoll of Thoddoo. The capital of North Ari Atoll is Rasdhoo and the capitol of South Ari is Mahibadhoo. There are a total of 70 islands in the Ari Atoll and many sand banks, some of which are becoming islands while others are being washed away.
Rasdhoo is 9 km in diametre while Ari is 96 km long by 33 km wide. There are a total of 18 inhabited islands in Ari Atoll. There are a further 52 uninhabited islands of which 26 are resorts.
The principal occupation of the Ari islanders used to be fishing, sail weaving, coral collectilng and carving. However, these days they are fishermen renowned for their shark catching. In times past the shark oil was used for dhoni timbers. Many islanders are now employed in the resorts.
To find the resort of your choice scroll down the list or just browse.
There are four regions in the North Ari Atoll Islands:
