Three runways — more than any other atoll in the country — and a single protected island, chosen for its mangroves rather than its reef.
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Gaafu Dhaalu has more airports than any other atoll in the Maldives, which is the first surprise in an atoll this far south. The aerodrome register lists three of them, and the atoll is the southern half of Huvadhu, which is large enough to make that less strange than it sounds.
Its protected estate is one island. Dhigulaabadhoo was declared in 2018 for its formation rather than its diving: most of it is mangrove and wetland, its shape forms natural dead ends, and it is on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of environmentally sensitive areas.
So the honest summary is an atoll that is easy to reach and thinly protected. That is a real combination and a rare one — most of the well-connected atolls in this country were protected early, and most of the thinly protected ones are hard to get to.
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll has three airports. The nearest to Velana is Kaadedhdhoo Airport on Kaadedhdhoo, 416 km south of it. The runways take turboprops rather than jets, so every arrival connects through Malé or comes by seaplane.
Three runways in the atoll, all turboprop, so a scheduled domestic flight from Malé and then a speedboat is the route whichever resort you have booked. 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.
G. Dh. Dhigulaabadhoo is an island that is different in its formation compared to other islands and one that has special environmental elements. Most parts of the island are covered by mangroves and wetlands. The shape of the island also forms areas that resemble a natural cul de sac. These, along with other natural, environmental features, make this island different from others. Because this island is environmentally special, it has been included in the ‘Environmental Sensitive Areas List’ compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Moreover, the diverse species of animals, delicate areas and organisms on this island have been identified through research.
The natural environments of Dhigulaabadhoo can be divided into 6 categories:
1. The island’s tree line 2. The mangrove connected to the sea (Finihaka Kulhi) 3. 5 salt and fresh water mangroves and the wetlands surrounding them 4. The area where seagrass grows 5. The island’s shore 6. The reef and lagoon area of the island