Heart-shaped Addu Atoll, just south of the equator, is the most southern point of Maldives. There’s a splash of late-colonial flavour here – the island of Gan was used as a British military base until the 1970s – and an independent streak flows through the locals, who speak a different dialect of Dhivehi to that spoken in Male. The atoll enjoyed a brief period of independence as part of the United Suvadive Republic between 1959 and 1963.
The six inhabited islands here are known collectively as Addu City due to the fact that all but one are connected by bridges and causeways, creating at 14km the longest continuous stretch of land in the country. Addu is the main economic and administrative centre in the southern atolls, and the only place to rival Male in size and importance. There are just three resorts down here, a few guesthouses and some superb diving opportunities.
History of Addu Atoll
There are no exact records of when the first settlers arrived in Addu Atoll, but several historians and researchers have concluded that people were living on these islands for more than 2000 years. It is believed the first settlers originated from Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives was previously a Buddhist nation until it embraced Islam 800 years ago. The people of Meedhoo island in Addu were amongst the first to convert to Islam in the Maldives.
Despite its isolation, Adduans have always been energetic, creative and self-reliant. The community has always thrived on fishing, farming, weaving, toddy tapping, but the most significant of all the community’s achievements was its trade vessels. Addu is well known for its able sea navigators and vessels. The Addu-built wooden sailing vessels would regularly travel to Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and even as far as China for trade, carrying local produce such as coconuts and sweet savories made from toddy. The traders would then return with goods like grains, fabrics, medicinal herbs, spices, perfumes, etc. There were also annual trips to Arabia for the pilgrimage in Mecca.
The biggest influence on Addu’s modern history has been the British bases, first established on Gan during WWII as part of the Indian Ocean defenses. In 1956, when the British could no longer use Sri Lanka, they developed a Royal Air Force base on Addu as a strategic Cold War outpost. The base had around 600 personnel permanently stationed there, with up to 3000 during periods of peak activity. The British built a series of causeways connecting Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo islands and employed most of the population on or around the base.
Tensions between the southern atolls and the central government in Male’ peaked in the 1960s under the leadership of Abdulla Afif Didi, who was elected president of the ‘United Suvadive Republic, comprising Addu, Fuvahmulah and Huvadhoo. Afif declared independence from the Maldives, but an armed fleet sent south by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir quashed the short-lived southern rebellion. In 1976 the British pulled out, leaving an airport, some large industrial buildings, barracks and a lot of unemployed people, trained and skilled, who spoke good English and had experience working for Westerners. When the tourism industry took off in the late 1970s, many of the men of Addu went to Male seeking work in resorts and tourist shops. They have never lost their head start in the tourism business to this date. Even today in any resort, visitors find a large number of key staff hailed from Addu. Gan is now a commercial island with Equator Village tourist resort, business offices, shops and the airstrip now being used as Gan International Airport.
Things To Do in Addu Atoll, Maldives
Addu City has amazing things to offer to all its visitors and these things will leave you nothing but enthralled and exhilarated! So, here are the eight best things to do in Addu City.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Scuba Diving
- Surfing
- Kayaking
- Skydiving
- Island Exploration
- Bird Watching
Best Time to Visit Addu Atoll, Maldives
The Maldives are hot and sunny all year round with temperatures ranging from 25ºC-30ºC with just a small drop overnight. The best weather and therefore the best time to visit the islands is between November and March. The wet monsoon (south-west monsoon) runs from May to October peaking in June with the dry monsoon (north-east monsoon) running from November to April. This is a very rough generalization and each atoll has its own microclimate. Addu Atoll is over 300 miles from Malé, enough of a distance to have completely different weather. However, when planning your travel there are other factors including when specific wildlife can be seen to consider.
How to Reach Addu Atoll, Maldives
Gan has an International Airport that is very new and very empty. There are six flights a day with Maldivian airlines from Malé and direct flights from Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines three times a week.
The flight takes about 2 hours from Malé and despite having time at booking these changes on the day so always check what the real flight time is, do not rely on your booking to be correct. They are strict on baggage and offer a 20kg allowance with an extra 5kg for diving equipment. Beyond this it is $1 a kg which is paid before you get your boarding card.
