Located between latitude 3° 20' N and 3° 03' N, the Faafu atoll is geographically similar to the Alifu Atoll. From the 23 islands making up this atoll, only 5 are inhabited with the population being around 2000. One of the remaining uninhabited islands has been converted into a resort island. This atoll can be accessed by a seaplane.

Nilandhoo

The capital island of Faafu Atoll, Nilandhoo, has a population of about 1500. The island, Nilandhoo holds an important place in Maldivian history. Thor Heyerdahl, a famous archeologist, was responsible for an important excavation in this island. The findings show that the natives of Nilandhoo followed Hinduism before the country embraced Islam. The Hindu temples found on the Island are proof of the prevalence of Hinduism in the island.

An 800 yrs old mosque is one of the important landmarks in this island. The inside of this mosque is engraved with fine Arabic writings. Constructed with the stones derived from the older Hindu temples, it was built by the same person who introduced the country to Islam - Sultan Mohamed Ibn Abdhulla.