Holidays in South Ari Atoll

Set in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this pearl-like thread of tropical islands is picture-book perfect. We’re talking pure white sand and palm-fringed shorelines. And because the islands are surrounded by turquoise lagoons, the fabulous scenery isn’t just restricted to dry land. Reefs teeming with aquatic eye-candy and exotic corals halo each one. Plus, the waters are bath-warm and as clear as Bombay Sapphire - perfect conditions to take in the underwater theatrics. Of the 12,000 islands in the South Atoll, around one in ten of them are inhabited and less than half of them have any tourist development. Plus, of those that do, there’s usually room for just one hotel. In fact, Malé, the capital, occupies one island and its airport another! Because of this, the resort islands become worlds in themselves. And while some of the larger ones serve up several restaurants, state-of-the-art spas and a fantastic selection of watersports, life here is still all about stripped down simplicity. Bright blue skies, year round sunshine and natural good looks are the three main ingredients. On the entertainment front, things are pretty low-key, but that’s all part of the charm. You’ll find the closest thing to a sightseeing trip is a leisurely ride in a dhoni to find the perfect picnic spot. The after-dark scene, meanwhile, is pretty hotel-centric. Think laidback live music, cabaret shows and open-air beach bars.

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