Filitheyo
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Filitheyo is an island in the Faafu Atoll. It is also home of one of the newer resorts in the Maldives; as of March 2021[update], Filitheyo Island Resort is the only resort operating in the Faafu Atoll, but three islands (Himmithi, Mushimasgali, and Maafushi) have since been leased for tourism development.[1] Launched in 1999, the resort consists of 125 guest bungalows along with a main restaurant, two bars, a Thai spa and a dive school. In May 2022, the resort was cited by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority for having not paid their dues to the state as rent for resort islands.[2]
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 Interactive map of Filitheyo | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Archipelago | Faafu Atoll |
| Length | 0.9 km (0.56 mi) |
| Width | 0.5 km (0.31 mi) |
| Administration | |
Geography
Geographically, the island is located approximately 120 km south west of the capital island Malé and can be reached by a 35-minute sea plane flight followed by a ten-minute dhoni ride.
The island is encircled by its own 'house' reef with safe swimming on the north and southwest shores.
Ecology
Filitheyo has a large collection of lizards of various types, a colony of fruit bats based at the south-east end of the island, at least two herons, crows, at least eight cats, several species of land-dwelling hermit crab and tree-dwelling rats. In 1999, a small marine protection area was established around Filitheyo and fishing around the island ceased.[3]
Unusual features
When the island was being cleared for the construction of the resort, a graveyard marked by approximately 30 headstones was discovered about 25m inland from the south-west shore. The origins of those buried and the reason for their burial on the island is unknown.