Declared a protected area on 5 June 2011, the Mendhoo Region is a stunning marine and island ecosystem located within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve. The protected area includes Mendhoo Island and its surrounding reef, Mendhoobinmathee Faru, Kaburu Faru, and Nibiligaa Island with its encircling reef.

This region is celebrated for its exceptionally rich marine biodiversity. Beneath the turquoise waters lies a thriving community of hard and soft corals, creating a colorful underwater landscape that supports a wide variety of marine invertebrates and vertebrates. Fish schools, reef invertebrates, and other marine species flourish here, making it a vital part of the atoll’s ecological balance.

The sandy beaches of the Mendhoo Region serve as important nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles Above the waves.

Nibiligaa Island and Mendhoo Island plays a special role as a key roosting and nesting site for seabirds. It provides sanctuary for large colonies of lesser noddy and brown noddy terns, as well as the black-naped tern and the greater crested tern.

With its rich coral gardens, nesting turtles, and vibrant birdlife, the Mendhoo Region stands out as a haven of biodiversity and a shining example of the Maldives’ dedication to protecting its fragile island and reef ecosystems for future generations.