Mulaku Atoll located to the south of Male’ the capital, is 47 kilometres in
length and 30 kilometres in width. There are about 35 islands in the atoll. Most
of the islands of the atoll are on the eastern rim of the atoll, just a few on
the rest of the atoll rim and surprisingly none inside the atoll. A population
of about 5,000 inhabits just nine of the islands. Distinctively all the
inhabited islands are on the eastern side.
The atoll has been newly opened up for tourism and hence also for diving.
Along the northern fringing reef are five channels, the
best of which is the westernmost one, known as Mulaku Kandu. The underwater
topography of these are quite similar to the narrow spectacular channels of
Vaavu Atoll. Mulaku Kandu has the unusual feature of a large submerged pinnacle
rising from very deep water in the centre of the channel. The pinnacle is
covered with beautiful soft corals and surrounded by a myriad of marine life.
The channels on the western rim of the atoll will also make fantastic dive
sites. As they are exposed, the best diving in these would be during the
southwest monsoon. The atoll has traditionally been, and still is a popular port
of call for vessels plying between the southern atolls and the capital.
The main occupation in the atoll is fishing. Dhiggaru, probably the best known for fishing is also the
most densely populated. Agriculture is carried out on a small scale on some
islands. Kolhuvaareyaafushi, at the southern tip and Mulah are known for growing
yams.