Dhaalu Atoll in the east of the Maldives has been opened to tourism relatively recently, and its rather remote location from the capital Male has helped maintain its reputation as an exotic destination. A short seaplane voyage is usually necessary to reach the resorts on this atoll. Dhaalu consists of 56 islands grouped in a natural atoll. Seven of the islands are inhabited by local people. Just two islands have been developed as luxury tourist resorts.
Dhaalu Atoll has become especially popular with tourists as a destination for scuba diving. Green sea turtles and spinner dolphins are numerous in these waters, and some sea species seen here are found nowhere else in the Maldives. Napolean wrasse, manta rays and reef sharks are common sights on around the coral pinnacles that rise from the sea floor in the centre of the atoll. Giant clams can be seen on the seabed in some shallow areas. There are two well-known diveable wrecks near Dhaalu's main island of Kudahuvadhu, including the remains of the schooner "Liffey" that sank in 1879. Ten years earlier the Liffey had been part of the British Empire's "Flying Squadron" - the last circumnavigation of the world conducted by warships under sail.
Dhaalu's two resorts are both high-end establishments: the five-star Velavaru Island Resort, and the four-star Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort on the island of Meedhuffushi. The bungalows at the Vilu Reef resort are all built over the water, directly above the island's surrounding reefs, in an effort to preserve the tropical landscape of the island itself. The Velavaru resort features bungalows cleverly designed in the shape of a turtle - the mascot of the resort. Both resorts are equipped with full modern facilities for their guests, including large swimming pools, excellent restaurants, and provide equipment for snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.
The populated islands have a great deal of interesting history, but travellers will need special permission from the government to leave the designated tourist zones to visit them. Hulhudheli and Rinbudhoo islands in the west of Dhaalu Atoll are renowned for the skill of their jewellers, who work with silver and gold. According to Maldivian legend, a chief jeweller to one of the Sultans of the Maldives started this tradition after he was exiled to Ribudhoo for stealing gold.
Mysterious mounds known as hawittas, thought to containing the remains of Bhuddist-era structures, are found on the atoll's capital island of Kudahuvadhu, but few have been properly excavated. The main mosque on Kudahuvadhu is built from white coral-stone and is reputed to be one of the finest examples of traditional masonry and stone carving in the Maldives.
The formerly island of Gemendhoo on the eastern fringe of the atoll was inhabited until it was struck by the tsunami in 2005, after which most people left to live on Kudahuvadhu. It is surrounded by a long line of 11 uninhabited islands, and it is possible to walk between them at low tide.