Maamingili

Maamingili sits in South Ari Atoll, close to the South Ari Marine Protected Area, and is recorded as the largest and most populous island in this stretch of the atoll. Unlike most of its neighbours, it has a naturally round outline, a result of its position on the edge of one of the widest channels within the protected area. According to the 2022 census, 2,803 people live there.

The island's character is shaped by its role as a hub rather than a quiet village. A long main street runs the length of the settlement, lined with shops that range from everyday goods to tourist souvenirs clustered near the harbour end. Public buildings — a mosque, a medical centre, a school and the island council offices — sit toward the western side. This mix of commerce and infrastructure gives Maamingili more of the feel of an atoll capital than the smaller settlements nearby.

Its harbour has been substantially enlarged to take larger vessels, including liveaboards, and an airport was built on the island's southern edge on land reclaimed from the lagoon. This combination of airport and harbour development, along with its position near whale shark waters in the South Ari Marine Protected Area, is what Maamingili is chiefly known for today. It lies some 105 km from Malé and is reached by domestic flight.