Ga. Hithaadhoo
The key purpose of protecting this island is giving protection to the lesser frigate birds (hoara) that live there. This is a protected bird in the Maldives.
Gaafu Alifu Atoll
One protected island, and it was protected for its frigate birds. A runway at Kooddoo puts the deep south within a domestic flight.
- GKK
- Airport
- November – April
- Best months
Gaafu Alifu has one declared area and the reason given for it is a single species. Hithaadhoo was protected in 2006 to give protection to the lesser frigate birds that live there, which are a protected bird in the Maldives. The register says nothing else about it, and there is no reason for this page to say more.
The atoll is the northern half of Huvadhu, one of the largest natural atolls anywhere, and it sits far enough south that the trip changes character: this is not a day trip from Malé under any arrangement.
Kooddoo Airport is built to a larger reference code than most domestic strips, which is what makes the deep south a scheduled connection rather than an expedition.
SourcesMaldives protected areas registerMaldives Civil Aviation Authority — list of land aerodromesTrans Maldivian Airways — frequently asked questionsGa. Hithaadhoo
Getting there
Gaafu Alifu Atoll has one airport. The nearest to Velana is Koodoo Airport on Kooddoo, 385 km south of it. The runway takes turboprops rather than jets, so every arrival connects through Malé or comes by seaplane.
Kooddoo Airport is in the atoll and its runway takes larger aircraft than most domestic strips, so a scheduled flight from Malé and then a speedboat is the route. Seaplanes fly between sunrise and sunset only, and the operator asks guests who want to reach the resort the same day to be in the Maldives by 15:30.
| Airport | Code | From Velana | Runway | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koodoo AirportKooddoo | GKK | 385 km | Turboprop | Pristine Islands Investment (Maldives) Pvt.Ltd |
SourceMaldives Civil Aviation Authority, register updated July 2025checked 2026-09-21
Protected water
One protected area is declared in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, covering 53.00 hectares. Declared 14 June 2006.
SourceMinistry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldiveschecked 2026-09-21