Comprising 3 natural atolls namely Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll, Fasdhuthere Atoll and Goifulhafehendhu Atoll, Baa Atoll hosts some 75 islands, 13 of which are inhabited, majority of the rest are uninhabited, while the remaining few are occupied by resorts.
In the Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll, the Olhugiri Island hosts the only two perching sites in Maldives for the great figatebird. Sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are also found here.
Baa Atoll boasts a high diversity of reef animals, hard and soft coral, reef-associated marine species, marine turtles, whale sharks and abundant manta rays which can be specifically encountered at Hanifaru Bay. This abundance in marine life led to approximately 139,700 hectares of the coastal area in Baa Atoll being declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June 2011.
