Addu, at the bottom of the country. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a jet runway, a wartime wreck at 33 metres, and roads instead of boats.
GAN
Airport
November – April
Best months
Addu is the southern end of the Maldives and it does not behave like the rest of it. Thirty islands sit around a semi-enclosed lagoon in a rough heart shape; UNESCO made the atoll a Biosphere Reserve in 2020, covering 15,824 hectares of which more than fourteen thousand are marine. Nearly twenty thousand people live here, which makes it a place with a life of its own rather than a set of resort islands.
A 16-kilometre causeway joins Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan, so you arrive at the airport and drive. Gan International was built as a Royal Navy station and became RAF Gan, and its runway still takes jets.
The register reflects that mixed character. Eydhigali Kilhi is one of the largest wetlands in the Maldives, with herons and egrets and the Maldivian pond heron through the year, and it sits inside the Addu Nature Park with Koattey. The British Loyalty lies at 33 metres between Maradhoo and Hithadhoo — 140 metres of ship on its starboard side, coral-covered, entered through two holes probably made when a British warship scuttled it.
Seenu Atoll has one airport. The nearest to Velana is Gan International Airport on Gan, 545 km south of it. Gan International Airport takes jets, so it is one of the few atolls you can reach without connecting through Malé.
Gan International is in the atoll and takes jets, so Addu can be reached without connecting through Malé where an international service exists. Once you land, the causeway means a road transfer rather than a boat.
7 protected areas are declared in Seenu Atoll, covering 2,118 hectares. They were declared between 2004 and 2020, 4 of them together on 22 September 2020.
Part of it lies inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. three atolls in the Maldives hold one, and this is one of them.
771 ha·declared 7 December 2004·UNESCO Biosphere Reserves·Managed Areas
The Eydhigali Kilhi and Koattey protected area in the Maldives offer fantastic opportunities to observe nature up close. Eydhigali Kilhi is one of the largest wetlands in the Maldives, renowned for hosting a multitude of water birds, including herons, egrets, and the unique Maldivian pond herons, which can be observed throughout the year. In contrast, Koattey presents an excellent location for snorkeling, providing the chance to witness vibrant, healthy coral reefs and swim alongside turtles, sharks, and numerous colorful fish. These areas are a prime destination for nature enthusiasts and those who enjoy exploring underwater environments.
This small lagoon is located on the north edge of the atoll, between the ‘Maakan’du’ and ‘Kudakan’du’. There are two uninhabited islands in this lagoon. Tiny islands with white sandy beaches are usually found in the Maldivian atolls. However, in Addu atoll, this is not the case as it is smaller and has fewer reefs. As a result, these two islands are popular amongst tourists who visit this atoll. Apart from its appealing appearance, this area is also rich with wild life. Kan’dihera island in this lagoon is bowl shaped and has a small mangrove. Yellow Mangrove (Karamana) and Red Mangrove (Ran’doo) are found in this mangrove area. Although Black-naped tern (Kirudhooni) eggs have not been found on this island, it is highly likely that these birds do lay eggs here. Moreover, Grey Heron (Maakana) and Whimbrel (Bulhithunbi) have also been found on this island. Most birds abandon such areas if they experience disturbance from human activities. This is why it is crucial to preserve this area in a systematic way in which these wild creatures are not disturbed from tourists and by other common purposes. It is also important to note that this island’s lagoon is shallow all around and deep in the middle, forming a (vilu) in the middle. There are countless corals in on the (giri) found in the lagoon. Researchers note that these bowl-shaped islands and lagoons safe from high tides and strong currents play a substantial role in helping small fish species to populate. The research done on the deeper middle part of the lagoon has found small fish and sharks in the area. Preserving such areas is an essential step towards maintaining the lifespan of the wildlife of the atoll.
According to the divers that frequent the S. Atoll Kuda Kandu area, large marine life can be observed in this area. As such, turtles, spotted eagle rays and dolphins can be seen here is great numbers. Moreover, the divers also report that this area is rich with huge corals and different species of fish. Many varieties of corals and species of fish have been spotted in this area. In a survey done in this area, only turtles were observed from the list of species that have been reported by divers. Turtles were spotted resting under Porites (Hirigaa) at the edge of the reef. Turtles prefer to rest at the top or under rocks which have been formed in a specific way, and it is possible that this area has such rocks. Since turtles are a protected species and are in danger of going extinct, protecting this area is crucial for their survival.
The British Loyalty shipwreck, resting 33 meters beneath the waters between Maradhoo and Hithadhoo islands. The 140-meter-long ship lies on its starboard side, covered in a vibrant array of hard and soft corals, serving as a habitat for numerous small fish. The wreck can be explored through two large holes, likely resulting from the ship's scuttling by a British warship. Surrounding the wreck, are schools of blue-fin jack, turtles, and occasional sightings of Manta rays and sharks. The Addu Atoll, including the shipwreck area, offers a rich marine life experience for divers and is a popular destination for Liveaboard diving yachts.