Twenty-six atolls, not interchangeable
Most writing about the Maldives treats the country as one place. It isn't. The northern atolls are quiet and pricey; the central atolls are well-served and busy; the southern atolls are the dive and surf country. Pick by atoll first, resort second.
Baa Atoll
UNESCO Biosphere; manta capital from August to November.
Noonu Atoll
Quiet northern waters; the eco-luxury bracket dominates.
South Ari Atoll
Whale sharks year-round; large dive sites; broader price range.
North Malé Atoll
Closest to the capital; speedboat transfers; the busiest atoll.
Laamu Atoll
Far south; the surf atoll; almost no operators.
Addu Atoll (Seenu)
Southernmost. Different ecosystem. Wreck dives and a road network.
Twenty more atoll write-ups in the queue. The first six above are the ones most travellers actually choose between; the remainder cover places where guesthouse tourism, surf operators or science stations are the draw.