North Ari Atoll, The Maldives

North Ari Atoll in the Maldives is a perfect destination for sun, sea and unwinding days in a tropical paradise. You will adore the gorgeous sands and extraordinary underwater domains that await you. The Maldives are famous for the magnificent hotels and breathtaking surroundings. The Maldives are formed from 1,190 coral islands that together form an archipelago consisting of 26 major atolls including North Ari Atoll. All islands are surrounded with extraordinary vibrant coral and a massive variety of sea life. Wander along the bleached bright powdery soft sands. Take a dip in the turquoise lagoons of the Indian Ocean. Dive beneath the magical seas and view the schools of kaleidoscopic multicoloured fish darting back and forth. In addition to relaxing, what else are on offer here? Maybe participate in some watersports? Why not have a go at surfing, snorkelling, fishing or diving? If it's a tropical island paradise you seek, book a last minute winter sun or possibly an all-inclusive summer holiday to North Ari Atoll. You won't regret it.

Sprinkled in the middle of the Indian Ocean, these paradise islands are palm-fringed gems lying in turquoise lagoons of the most incredible blue you've ever seen. Entirely circled by two large atolls, the majority of the islands are barely higher than two metres, and from the surface are no more than mounds of pure white sand, covered with dense tropical vegetation interspersed with characteristic, towering coconut palms. Their lagoons are crystal clear, enclosed by coral house reefs teeming with life and exotic corals - in fact the marine life is extraordinary.
The islands' popularity with scuba divers and snorkellers is legendary and for those who have never dived, this is the ideal opportunity to learn - the waters are tempting, the sun always shines and there are plenty of resorts with their own fully-equipped diving schools.
Of the 12,000 islands, about one in ten of them are inhabited and less then half of them have any tourism development; of those that do, there is room for no more than one hotel - in fact the capital, Male, occupies one island, the airport another! The resort islands are worlds in themselves. Some of the larger ones offer several different restaurants featuring local and continental cuisine along with exotic buffets and barbecues. Since fish and coconuts are the only items that don't have to be imported, they reveal their way onto most menus and spinybacked lobster is a particular delicacy.
The Maldives are highly recommended for those who wish to do absolutely nothing and it would be difficult to discover a more beautiful place to unwind than a typical Maldives beach...quiet, uncrowded, with pure, soft sand of an almost dazzling whiteness. Needless to say the majority of the more strenuous activities are sea based. Watersports equipment is always available and most resorts offer windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water-skiing and canoeing. You'll find the nearest thing to sightseeing is a leisurely trip in a local boat known as a dhoni, in search of an even more perfect beach or picnic spot. Clearly the essentials for a Maldives holiday are a superb supply of books, a generous supply of sun cream and a burning desire to do as little as possible......