Rasdhoo Bikini Beach

Rasdhoo is a small separate atoll off the north-east corner of Ari, and it is on this list because of what is in the water beside it rather than the sand itself. The Ministry of Environment's description of the protected Rasdhoo Madivaru area says its sea holds more hammerhead sharks through the year than any other dive site in the Maldives where they are found.

The island is inhabited and small, the designated beach is on the western shore, and the dive boats leave from a few hundred metres away.

So this is the cheapest address in the country for a dive that people otherwise book a liveaboard for.