South Maalhosmaadulu Atoll and Goidhoo Atoll, also known in Admiralty charts as Horsburgh Atoll, belong to the administrative atoll of Baa.
The main occupation of the people of this atoll is tuna fishery, however some of the islands are well known for their skilled craftsmen. Most of the lacquer ware you see for sale in the souvenir shops and resort boutiques are the work of the people of Thulhaadhoo although the main occupation of the people of the island is fishing. Eydhafushi, the capital island was famous for it ‘feyli’ weaving - a wraparound skirt for women.
Maalhosmadulhu Atoll is also considered as a good example of the rich biodiversity found in the Maldives, including large mangroves and a unique diversity of fauna, such as the benthic fauna. Furthermore, the ring-shaped reef forms known as faru in the local language is a reef structure which is unique to the islands.
The southernmost uninhabited island of Olhugiri in the Baa atoll lies 13 km north of the Goidhoo Atoll. Olhugiri is well-known for its unique natural vegetation and for providing two of the only perching sites for the Great Frigatebird in the Maldives. Likewise, other marine creatures such as seaturtles and hawksbill turtles can be encountered. The Fisheries Ministry of the Maldives has banned catching turtles or taking eggs from Olhugiri, which also applies to 11 other islands.
South Maahosmadulu Atoll is 42 km long and 32 km wide. There 10 inhabited islands and 41 uninhabited. The atoll is separated from the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll by the 3.5 km Hani Kandu channel, also known as the Moresby Channel. The 2 km wide Kuda Kanduolhi channel cuts through the South Maalhosmadulu Atoll from east to west.
The reefs of this atoll are in pristine condition, and whether you are a diver or snorkeller the unspoilt natural beauty of the atoll is readily apparent. One of the secrets of Baa Atoll is the large numbers of mantas and whale sharks that visit the atoll, during the southwest monsoon especially from May to July
The atoll has three regions:
Kudarikilu (05.20N 73.03E)
Maalhoss (05.13N 73.09E)
Eydhafushi (05.06N 73.03E)
Kudarikili has no resorts.
Maalhoss has three resorts:
Four seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru
The Eydhafushi resort has two resorts:
There is also another resort in the atoll at:
Goidhoo or Horsburgh Atoll is 8.5 km long and 17.5 km wide. It has 3 inhabited islands: Goidhoo, Fulhadhoo and Fenendhoo known collectively as Goi’fulha’fehendhoo. There are 3 small unihabited islands and only one channel, Doru Kandu, located to the south of the atoll. The atoll offfers a secure anchorage near the isalnds in the north-east monsoon.
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