List of islands of the Maldives

This is a list of islands of the Maldives. There are around 1,192 in total. They are listed by administrative division/atoll. The islands are divided into:

  • Inhabited islands- those officially recognised as towns, villages, fishing and farming communities with permanent human habitation. They all have an island office and island chiefs (councillor and katheeb).[1]
  • Uninhabited islands- islands with no permanent human habitations. They are sometimes used for agricultural and industrial purposes, and more recently as tourist resorts and picnic islands. Some of these islands are valuable breeding grounds of various species of seabirds and sea turtles.
  • Disappeared islands- islands which during recorded history, have been completely eroded away, claimed by the sea due to the sea level rise or assimilated by other islands. Some of these islands were previously inhabited and have been important in the history of the country. Some natural atolls are named after them (islands of Thiladhoo and Addu after which Thiladhunmati and Addu atoll are named respectively) while others are thought to have been the sites of the first settlements in the Maldives (Ihadhoo- meaning seen first and possibly the first settlement of the Maldives).[2]

Islands by area size

This list ranks the top 10 islands of the Maldives by area.

Some islands in the Maldives, although geographically one island, are divided into two administrative islands (for example, Gan and Maandhoo in Laamu Atoll). For such cases, this list ranks the entire (combined) area of the geographical island.

Inland water bodies such as lakes and ponds are included in the total area.

Rank Island Atoll Total area (km2) [3] Total area (sq mi) Population (2014) [4]
1 Gan-Maandhoo Laamu 7.3 2.81 2,809 (Gan)
2 Hithadhoo Seenu 5.4 2.08 10,398
3 Fuvahmulah Gnaviyani 4.9 1.89 13,037
4 Hulhumalé Kaafu 4.0 1.54 14,843
5 Hulhumeedhoo Seenu 3.9 1.50 3,113 (Combined)
6 Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo Laamu 3.6 1.38 1,461 (Combined)
7 Gan Seenu 3.3 1.27 -
8 Hanimaadhoo Haa Dhaalu 3.1 1.19 1,618
9 Hulhulé Kaafu 3.0 1.15 -
10 Filladhoo-Dhapparu Haa Alif 2.6 1.00 562 (Filladhoo)

Note: The combined area of Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé exceeds 9 km2, which surpasses the area of the largest natural island in the Maldives. However, these three as a whole are considered to be a city, not an island.

North Thiladhunmathi (HA) (Haa Alif Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Gasthirifinolhu
  • Gudhanfushi
  • Nasfaru
  • Thiladhoo (now part of Dhiddhoo)
  • Thinadhoo

South Thiladhunmathi (HDh) (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands

North Miladhunmadulu (Sh) (Shaviyani Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Bis Huraa
  • Dhigu Rah
  • Dhiguvelldhoo
  • Dholhiyadhoo
  • Dholhiyadhoo Kudarah
  • Dhonveli-huraa
  • Ekasdhoo
  • Eriyadhoo
  • Farukolhu
  • Fushifaru
  • Firunbaidhoo
  • Gaakoshinbi
  • Gallaidhoo
  • Hirubadhoo
  • Hurasfaruhuraa
  • Kabaalifaru
  • Keekimini
  • Killissafaruhuraa
  • Kudalhaimendhoo
  • Madidhoo
  • Madikurendhdhoo
  • Mathikomandoo
  • Maakandoodhoo
  • Medhurah
  • Medhukunburudhoo
  • Migoodhoo
  • Naainfarufinolhu
  • Nalandhoo
  • Naruibudhoo
  • Neyo
  • Vagaru

Disappeared Islands
  • Bileddhoo
  • Gallaidhookudarah
  • Gonaafushi
  • Killisfaru'rahgandu

South Miladhunmadulu (N) (Noonu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Badadhidhdhoo
  • Bodufushi
  • Bodulhaimendhoo
  • Bomasdhoo
  • Burehifasdhoo
  • Dheefuram
  • Dhelibehuraa
  • Dhekenanfaru
  • Dhigurah
  • Dhonaerikandoodhoo
  • Ekulhivaru
  • Farumuli
  • Felivaru
  • Fodhidhipparu
  • Fushivelavaru
  • Gallaidhoofushi
  • Gemendhoo
  • Goanbilivaadhoo
  • Holhumeedhoo
  • Huivani
  • Hulhudhdhoo
  • Huvadhumaavattaru
  • Iguraidhoo
  • Kuddarah
  • Kadimmahuraa
  • Kalaidhoo
  • Karimma
  • Kedhivaru
  • Koalaa
  • Kolhufushi
  • Kudafunafaru
  • Kudafushi
  • Kunnamaloa
  • Kuramaadhoo
  • Kuredhivaru
  • Loafaru
  • Maafunafaru
  • Maakurandhoo
  • Maavelavaru
  • Medhafushi
  • Medhufaru
  • Minaavaru
  • Orimasvaru
  • Orivaru
  • Raafushi
  • Raalulaakolhu
  • Randheli
  • Thaburudhoo
  • Thaburudhuffushi
  • Tholhendhoo
  • Thoshigadukolhu
  • Vattaru
  • Vavathi
  • Vihafarufinolhu

Disappeared Islands
  • Dhigufaruvinagandu
  • Holhumeedhoo

North Maalhosmadulu (R) (Raa Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Aarah
  • Arilundhoo
  • Badaveri
  • Bodufarufinolhu
  • Bodufenmaaenboodhoo
  • Bodufushi
  • Boduhaiykodi
  • Boduhuraa
  • Ekurufushi
  • Etthingili
  • Dhigali
  • Dhoragali
  • Dheburidheythereyvaadhoo
  • Dhikkurendhdhoo
  • Dhinnaafushi
  • Faarafushi
  • Fasmendhoo
  • Fenfushi
  • Filaidhoo
  • Fuggiri
  • Furaveri
  • Gaaudoodhoo
  • Giraavaru
  • Goyyafaru
  • Goiymaru
  • Guboshi
  • Hiraveri
  • Hulhudhoo
  • Huruvalhi
  • Ifuru
  • Kandholhudhoo
  • Kaddogadu
  • Kothaifaru
  • Kottafaru
  • Kottefaru
  • Kudafushi
  • Kudahaiykodi
  • Kudakurathu
  • Kudalhosgiri
  • Kudathulhaadhoo
  • Kukulhudhoo
  • Kuroshigiri
  • Lhaanbugali
  • Lhaanbugau
  • Lhohi
  • Liboakandhoo
  • Lundhufushi
  • Maafaru
  • Maamigili
  • Maamunagaufinolhu
  • Maanenfushi
  • Maashigiri
  • Madivaafaru
  • Mahidhoo
  • Meedhupparu
  • Muravandhoo
  • Mullaafushi
  • Neyo
  • Thaavathaa
  • Ugulu
  • Uthurumaafaru
  • Vaffushihuraa
  • Vandhoo
  • Veyvah
  • Viligili
  • Wakkaru

Disappeared Islands
  • Boduhuraa
  • Ethigandujehihuraa
  • Fasgandufarufinolhu
  • Furaverumeehungemaafaru
  • Gaaviligiligaathurah
  • Huruvalhigaathurah
  • Inguraidhookudadhiffushi
  • Kandhoomeehungelhaanbugali
  • Kurredhupparu

South Maalhosmadulu (B) (Baa Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Boadhaafusheefinolhu
  • Dhoogandufinolhu
  • Dhorukandu'dhekunuhuraa
  • Dhorukandu'uthuruhuraa
  • Goidhoohuraa
  • Hithadhoohuraa
  • Hithadookudarah
  • Kalhunaiboli
  • Lhavadhookandurah
  • Velavaru

Faadhippolhu (Lh) (Lhaviyani Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Aligau
  • Bahurukabeeru
  • Bodhuhuraa
  • Bodufaahuraa
  • Bodugaahuraa
  • Dhidhdhoo
  • Dhirubaafushi
  • Diffushi
  • Faadhoo
  • Fainuaadham-Huraa
  • Fehigili
  • Felivaru (capital of the Uthuru Province)
  • Fushifaru
  • Gaaerifaru
  • Govvaafushi
  • Hadoolaafushi
  • Hiriyadhoo
  • Hudhufushi
  • Huravalhi
  • Kalhumanjehuraa
  • Kalhuoiyfinolhu
  • Kanifushi
  • Kanuhuraa
  • Komandoo
  • Kudadhoo
  • Kuredhdhoo
  • Lhohi
  • Lhossalafushi
  • Maabinhuraa
  • Maavaafushi
  • Madhiriguraidhoo
  • Madivaru
  • Maduvvari
  • Maidhoo
  • Mayyafushi
  • Medhadhihuraa
  • Medhafushi
  • Meedhaahuraa
  • Mey-yyaafushi
  • Musleygihuraa
  • Ookolhufinolhu
  • Raiyruhhuraa
  • Selhlhifushi
  • Thilamaafushi
  • Varihuraa
  • Vavvaru
  • Veligadu
  • Veyvah
  • Vihafarufinolhu

Disappeared Islands
  • Aligauhuraagandu
  • Bahurukabiru
  • Bulhalaafushi
  • Ruhelhifushi

Male' (K) Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Bisfushi
  • Gaadhoo (now part of Hulhulé)
  • Gulhifalhurah
  • Kaashidhookudarah
  • Kaddhipparu
  • Kuda Malé (now part of Malé)
  • Kudavattaru
  • Kuredhivinahuraagandu
  • Oiidhuni
  • Dhabilalhidhoo

North Ari Atoll (AA) (Alif Alif Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Bathalaamaagau
  • Faanumadugau
  • Fushifarurah
  • Gaahuraafussari
  • Gonaagau
  • Huraadhoo
  • Kubuladhi
  • Kudafalhufushi
  • Kurolhi
  • Orimasfushi
  • Ukulhasgaathufushi

South Ari Atoll (ADh) (Alif Dhaal Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Aafinolhu
  • Aufushi
  • Faruhukuruvalhi
  • Hithifushi
  • Huraadhoo
  • Kalaafushi
  • Kudadhoo
  • Medhafushi
  • Theyofulhihuraa

Felidhu Atoll (V) (Vaavu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Aarah
  • Alimathaa
  • Anbaraa
  • Bodumohoraa
  • Dhiggiri
  • Foiytheyobodufushi
  • Fussfaruhuraa
  • Hingaahuraa
  • Hulhidhoo
  • Kuda-anbaraa
  • Kudhiboli
  • Kunavashi
  • Maafussaru
  • Medhugiri
  • Thunduhuraa
  • Raggadu
  • Ruhhurihuraa
  • Vashugiri
  • Vattaru'rah

Disappeared Islands
  • Aahuraa
  • Hinagaakalhi
  • Kahanbufushi
  • Kalhuhuraa
  • Kolhudhuffushi
  • Kudadhiggaru
  • Kudafussfaruhuraa

Mulakatholhu (M) (Meemu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Boahuraa
  • Dhekunuboduveli
  • Dhiththudi
  • Erruh-huraa
  • Fenboafinolhu
  • Fenfuraaveli
  • Gaahuraa
  • Gasveli
  • Gongalu Huraa
  • Haafushi
  • Hakuraahuraa
  • Hurasveli
  • Kekuraalhuveli
  • Kudadhigandu
  • Kurali
  • Kudausfushi
  • Maahuraa
  • Maalhaveli
  • Maausfushi
  • Medhufushi
  • Raabandhihuraa
  • Seedhihuraa
  • Seedhihuraaveligandu
  • Thuvaru
  • Uthuruboduveli
  • Veriheybe

Disappeared Islands
  • Boduvela
  • Dhonveliganduhuraa
  • Vah'huruvalhi

North Nilandhe Atoll (F) (Faafu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands

South Nilandhe Atoll (D) (Dhaalu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands

Kolhumadulu (Th) (Thaa Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Bodufinolhu
  • Bodurehaa
  • Dhiffushi
  • Dhonanfushi
  • Dhururehaa
  • Ekuruffushi
  • Elaa
  • Fenfushi
  • Fenmeerufushi
  • Fonaddoo
  • Fondhoo
  • Fonidhaani
  • Fushi
  • Gaalee
  • Gaathurehaa
  • Hathifushi
  • Hiriyanfushi
  • Hodelifushi
  • Hulhiyanfushi
  • Kaaddoo
  • Kadufushi
  • Kafidhoo
  • Kakolhas
  • Kalhudheyfushi
  • Kalhufahalafushi
  • Kandaru
  • Kani
  • Kanimeedhoo
  • Kolhufushi-1
  • Kolhufushi-2
  • Kudadhoo
  • Kudakaaddoo
  • Kudakibidhoo
  • Kurandhuvaru
  • Kuredhifushi
  • Lhavaddoo
  • Maagulhi
  • Maalefushi
  • Mathidhoo
  • Medhafushi
  • Olhudhiyafushi
  • Olhufushi
  • Olhufushi-finolhu
  • Olhugiri
  • Ruhththibirah
  • Thinkolhufushi
  • Ufuriyaa
  • Usfushi
  • Vanbadhi

Disappeared Islands
  • Filaagandu
  • Kandoodhookuraa
  • Keyovah'rah
  • Kolhuvanbadhi
  • Kudaburunee
  • Kudadhiyanmigili

Hadhdhunmathi (L) (Laamu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Aahuraa
  • Aarahaa
  • Boduboahuraa
  • Bodumahigulhi
  • Dhurudhandaaikandaagerah
  • Hassanbey'rah
  • Ihadhoo
  • Kerendhoo
  • Kokrahaaoiyythaafinolhu
  • Kudamahigulhi
  • Sathugalu
  • Vadinolhuhuraa

North Huvadhu Atoll (GA) (Gaafu Alif Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Aligalehuttaa
  • Falhukolhurataa
  • Galuréhaa
  • Havvaadhiyekuyyaakéeranahthedhinerehaa
  • Kakadiherehuttaa
  • Odafuttaa
  • Parehulhedhoo
  • Thabaidhoo
  • Vagaathugalfuttaa
  • Viligili

South Huvadhu Atoll (GDh) (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands

Disappeared Islands
  • Boduréhaabokkoyyaa
  • Hevanaréhaa
  • Isdhuvaa
  • Maaodagalaa
  • Keyhuvadhoo
  • Kudakokeréhaa
  • Kudhéhaadhu
  • Uheréhaa

Fuvahmulah (Gn) (Gnaviyani Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Taking into consideration the geography of the island along with its size and population, the 8 wards of Fuvahmulah are officially recognised as administrative divisions which act as the replacement for islands in other atolls. They are Dhadimago, Diguvāndo, Hōdhado, Mādhado, Miskimmago, Funādo, Mālegan, Dūndigan. For each ward a chief ('Katheeb') was appointed as in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the respective ward and held accountable for an Atoll chief. According to the Decentralisation Act 2010 an island council too have to be elected for each division of the island. There was formerly a ninth ward named Dhashokubaa which was merged with Miskimmago.[5]

Addu Atoll (Seenu Atoll)

Inhabited Islands

Uninhabited Islands
  • Aboohéra - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Boda Hajara
  • Bodahéraganda
  • Dhigihéra
  • Dhiyarudi
  • Fahikédéhéraganda
  • Gan
  • Gaukendi - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Geskalhahéra
  • Gomahera
  • Hankedé
  • Hankedé Hajara
  • Herathera
  • Hikahera
  • Ismehela Hera
  • Kafathalhaa Héra
  • Kabboahera
  • Kandihera
  • Kédévaahéra
  • Koahera
  • Kandihéréganda
  • Koattay
  • Maahera
  • Maamendhoo -(within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Madihéra
  • Mulikédé
  • Odessau-boda - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Odessau-kudhu - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Rasgedhara - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Rujjehera - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Savaaheli
  • Vashahéra
  • Villingili
  • Naanu

Disappeared Islands
  • Addu
  • Aminaamanike Heraganda
  • Feylihikkikudhumaahéra
  • Geskalhahéra-kudakalhahéra
  • Thinruh Heragada

References
  1. Godfrey, Tim. Maldives, Travellers and Divers Map: Islands, Resorts, Dive Sites, Protected Marine Areas, Surfing Locations. Apollo Bay, Vic., Australia: Atoll Editions, 1999. ISBN 1-876410-30-2
  2. Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Malé 1999.
  3. "Maldives Geographical Land Area Survey 2019". 13 February 2019.
  4. "Maldives 2014 Census - National Bureau of Statistics" (PDF).
  5. Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom, Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84-7254-801-5
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