By air
Gan International (GAN), ~1 h 20 min from Malé
Indian Ocean Islands · Maldives
Addu Atoll, Maldives
The far-south atoll of lagoons and wartime history
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — dry season
Don't miss
The British Loyalty wreck
Hithadhoo
Gan's wartime relics
The Maa Kandu channel
Things to do
Cycling the link road
Diving the British Loyalty wreck
Birdwatching in the wetlands
Where to eat
What to pack
Snorkel gear, clothes for cycling
A quieter corner
The Eydhigali Kilhi wetlands by bicycle
Questions travellers ask
How do I fly to Addu Atoll?
Fly into Gan International (GAN), about 1 hour 20 minutes from Malé.
What is Addu Atoll known for?
Lagoons and wartime history, far in the south. See Gan's wartime relics, dive the British Loyalty wreck, and explore Hithadhoo and the Maa Kandu channel.
Is Addu Atoll good for cycling?
Yes. Cycle the link road, and take a bicycle to the Eydhigali Kilhi wetlands for some birdwatching. Pack clothes for cycling.
Which months are best for Addu Atoll?
November to April, the dry season. Bring snorkel gear, and try the reef fish curries.
About Addu Atoll
- Island
Where it is
Addu Atoll, also called Seenu, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, lying just south of the Equator in the Indian Ocean; its main islands, Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, are joined by causeways and a link road.
History
Addu was a community of fishermen and traders for centuries before the British built an air and naval base on Gan during the Second World War. The Royal Air Force kept a staging post there until 1976, and the old runway became Gan International Airport.
People
Addu's people speak Dhivehi in the atoll's own dialect, Addu Bas, and many older islanders learned English while working at the British base on Gan. Fishing has long been the main livelihood, and the islands now also host guesthouses and dive centres.
Known for
- The British Loyalty wreck dive
- Wartime relics on Gan
- Cycling the link road across the islands
- The Eydhigali Kilhi wetlands
- Manta rays and reef dives
Did you know?
The British Loyalty, a tanker torpedoed in Addu's lagoon in 1944, was later scuttled there and is now a popular wreck dive.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.