Baa Atoll also or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi is an administrative division within the Republic of Maldives, comprising of three geographically distinct atolls: Maalhosmadulu, Fasdhoothere, and Goidhoo atolls (Horsburgh Atoll).
Located in the western sector of the Maldives archipelago, Baa Atoll contains a total of 118 islands, of which 13 are inhabited, supporting a population exceeding 18,000 residents. The remaining 105 islands are uninhabited with 18 islands developed as tourist resort islands while 4 islands have been leased for agricultural purposes.
Tourism constitutes the primary economic sector, driven by the region's rich biodiversity and ecological significance. Notably, Baa Atoll hosts the Hanifaru Bay, recognized for its seasonal congregation of pelagic megafauna such as manta rays (Mobula spp.) and whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which attract international diving and snorkelling tourism.
Several islands within the atoll have been developed into luxury resort destinations, attracting high-income visitors and facilitating foreign investment. In addition, inhabited islands such as Dharavandhoo, Maalhos, Kudarikilu, Kamadhoo, Goidhoo, Fulhadhoo, and Fehendhoo have developed ecotourism through guesthouses, fostering cultural exchanges and sustainable tourism practices.
Traditional livelihoods such as fishing remain economically significant, with a focus on sustainable resource management. Cultural activities, including lacquer handicraft production, are prominent on islands like Thulahaadhoo and Kihaadhoo, Kamadhoo etc. contributing to local craft markets and tourism.
The entirety of Baa Atoll was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on June 28, 2011, following its nomination by the Government of the Maldives on September 28, 2010. This recognition aligns with UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere Program,” emphasizing the atoll’s ecological importance and commitment to conservation and sustainable development.