Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (also known as Southern Ari Atoll or Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi) is an administrative division of the Maldives.

The separation of Ari Atoll (formerly Alifu Atoll) on March 1, 1984, into a Northern and a Southern section formed the two most recent administrative divisions of the Maldives, namely Alifu Alifu Atoll and Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. Alifu Dhaalu Atoll lies south of the line between the channels of Himendhoo Dhekunukandu and Genburugau Kandu.

There is an ancient mosque in Fenfushi island having wooden decorated ceilings and lacquerwork panels.

Buddhist remains, including a stupa, have been found in Ariadhoo Island.

Whale sharks are year-round residents of Alif Dhaal Atoll.

Geography

The South Ari Atoll administrative division consists of the southern part of the geographic or natural Ari Atoll (described as Southern Ari Atoll in this context to differentiate from the official name of the administrative division). The atoll consists of Inhabited Islands and Uninhabited Islands, a definition which includes resort islands, airport islands, and industrial islands.

Inhabited islands

NamePopulationCoordinatesGeographic Atoll/IslandRemarks
Dhangethi7133°36′27″N 72°57′19″E/3.60750°N 72.95528°E/ 3.60750; 72.95528Southern Ari Atoll
Dhiddhoo1373°28′59″N 72°52′39″E/3.48306°N 72.87750°E/ 3.48306; 72.87750Southern Ari Atoll
Dhigurah5293°31′50″N 72°55′33″E/3.53056°N 72.92583°E/ 3.53056; 72.92583Southern Ari Atoll
Fenfushi7293°29′21″N 72°47′1″E/3.48917°N 72.78361°E/ 3.48917; 72.78361Southern Ari Atoll
Hangnaameedhoo4813°50′57″N 72°57′18″E/3.84917°N 72.95500°E/ 3.84917; 72.95500Southern Ari Atoll
Kunburudhoo6063°46′32″N 72°55′30″E/3.77556°N 72.92500°E/ 3.77556; 72.92500Southern Ari Atoll
Maamingili2,0793°28′34″N 72°50′12″E/3.47611°N 72.83667°E/ 3.47611; 72.83667Southern Ari Atoll
Mahibadhoo1,9393°45′25″N 72°58′9″E/3.75694°N 72.96917°E/ 3.75694; 72.96917Southern Ari AtollCapital of the South Ari Atoll Administrative Division
Mandhoo2953°41′52″N 72°42′34″E/3.69778°N 72.70944°E/ 3.69778; 72.70944Southern Ari Atoll
Omadhoo8433°47′29″N 72°57′43″E/3.79139°N 72.96194°E/ 3.79139; 72.96194Southern Ari Atoll

Resort islands

Resort islands are classified as Uninhabited Islands which have been converted to become resorts. The following are the resort islands, with the official name of the resort.

NameResort NameCoordinatesGeographic AtollRemarks
AngaagauAngaaga Island Resort and Spa3°39′9″N 72°49′18″E/3.65250°N 72.82167°E/ 3.65250; 72.82167Southern Ari Atoll
AthurugauDiamonds Athuruga3°53′13″N 72°48′58″E/3.88694°N 72.81611°E/ 3.88694; 72.81611Southern Ari Atoll
DhidhdhoofinolhuLUX* South Ari Atoll3°29′54″N 72°53′46″E/3.49833°N 72.89611°E/ 3.49833; 72.89611Southern Ari Atoll
DhiffushiHoliday Island Resort3°28′30″N 72°49′29″E/3.47500°N 72.82472°E/ 3.47500; 72.82472Southern Ari Atoll
HuvahendhooLily Beach Resort and Spa at Huvahendoo3°39′13″N 72°57′13″E/3.65361°N 72.95361°E/ 3.65361; 72.95361Southern Ari Atoll
Kuda RahAmaya Kuda Rah3°34′26″N 72°54′38″E/3.57389°N 72.91056°E/ 3.57389; 72.91056Southern Ari Atoll
MaafushivaruMaafushivaru3°36′28″N 72°54′1″E/3.60778°N 72.90028°E/ 3.60778; 72.90028Southern Ari Atoll
MachchafushiCentara Grand Island Resort and Spa3°35′37″N 72°53′0″E/3.59361°N 72.88333°E/ 3.59361; 72.88333Southern Ari Atoll
MirihiMirihi Island Resort3°37′9″N 72°46′49″E/3.61917°N 72.78028°E/ 3.61917; 72.78028Southern Ari Atoll
MoofushiConstance Moofushi3°53′5″N 72°43′40″E/3.88472°N 72.72778°E/ 3.88472; 72.72778Southern Ari Atoll
NalaguraidhooSun Island Resort3°29′0″N 72°48′5″E/3.48333°N 72.80139°E/ 3.48333; 72.80139Southern Ari Atoll
RangalifinolhuConrad Maldives Rangali Island3°36′58″N 72°42′59″E/3.61611°N 72.71639°E/ 3.61611; 72.71639Southern Ari Atoll
ThundufushiDiamonds Thudufushi3°47′10″N 72°43′51″E/3.78611°N 72.73083°E/ 3.78611; 72.73083Southern Ari Atoll
VakarufalhiVakarufalhi Island Resort3°34′42″N 72°54′7″E/3.57833°N 72.90194°E/ 3.57833; 72.90194Southern Ari Atoll
VilamendhooVilamendhoo Island Resort3°38′1″N 72°57′32″E/3.63361°N 72.95889°E/ 3.63361; 72.95889Southern Ari Atoll
VillingilivaruRanveli Village3°37′8″N 72°57′18″E/3.61889°N 72.95500°E/ 3.61889; 72.95500Southern Ari Atoll
HuruelhiRadisson Blu MaldivesunknownSouthern Ari Atoll
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