Woman in bikini snorkeling in the crystal clear water of the famous beach of Tapuaetai (One Foot Island), a small islet in the south-east of the lagoon of Aitutaki, Cook islands.

©Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

Southern Atolls

The Southern Atolls have a justified reputation for independent mindedness. In 1959, the southernmost atolls broke away from Male's rule to form the short-lived United Suvadive Republic before being forcibly taken back under the control of the central government a few years later.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Thoondu Beach

    Thoondu Beach

    Southern Atolls

    At the northwestern end of Fuvahmulah, the absolutely stunning Thoondu Beach is a wide band of dazzling white overlooked by swaying palms. It's famous in…

  • Isdhoo

    Isdhoo

    Southern Atolls

    At the northeastern tip of the atoll, the interesting island of Isdhoo is home to a hawitta (ancient artificial mound). Buddha images have been found on…

  • Kondey

    Kondey

    Southern Atolls

    This traditional, largely agricultural island is notable for its four ancient hawittas (Buddhist prayer mounds). Norwegian ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl…

  • Gan

    Gan

    Southern Atolls

    At 8km long, Gan – not to be confused with the other two Gans in the south – is the longest island in the country and one of the most interesting too,…

  • Nilandhoo

    Nilandhoo

    Southern Atolls

    On the southern edge of the atoll, the capital island of Nilandhoo is home to the second-oldest mosque in the country, Aasaari Miskiiy, built during the…

  • Gadhdhoo

    Gadhdhoo

    Southern Atolls

    On Gadhdhoo (population 1500), women make superb examples of the mats known as thundu kunaa, which are woven from special reeds found on an adjacent…

  • Vaadhoo

    Vaadhoo

    Southern Atolls

    In the south of Huvadhoo Atoll, only about 20km from the equator, the island of Vaadhoo has two hawittas (stone prayer mounds) and a mosque that dates…

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Plan with a local

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