Water activities

Addu offers beautiful reefs for snorkeling with its warm waters which are safe for people of all ages. The reefs have a unique coral formation and abundant marine life. The reefs are easily accessible. The clear waters and the perfect temperatures make the snorkeling experience absolutely wonderful. Notable areas for snorkeling are Koattey, Koahera, Kandihera and Hulhumeedhoo reef among others. Turtles, napoleon wrasse and hundreds of other fish are commonly seen within the reefs.

There are very few surf spots in Addu for surfing, but those spots offers a unique experience for surfers. The southerly atolls differ from the northerly atolls in not providing perfectly shaped or soft breaking waves. These waves break fast and throw hard, with a whole lot of power—probably best suited for advanced surfers or at least daring intermediates. The waves you can find in here are the kind of waves you keep reliving days, weeks, and months after your Maldives surf trip has come to an end.

Moreover, Addu is internationally famous for its wreck dives, large manta rays, sharks, turtles and bigger fish in general, all throughout the year, as opposed to an abundance of smaller reef fish. It is also known for its brilliant coral patches in the north and broad barrier reefs with several islands on the east and west. There are a few caves studded around the region, however relatively few in comparison with the other atolls in the Maldives.

Currents are not as forceful as in other parts of the Maldives, so it is a great dive location for novice and experienced scuba divers looking for a thrilling dive excursion. The channels can be navigated with relative ease, with the average depth within the atoll at 35 meters, and a maximum depth of 75 meters in the center.

Since, 99% of Maldives comprises of the sea, so it is natural for water sports to be extremely popular. Jet skis, water skiing, wind surfing, para-sailing, wake board, paragliding, canoeing are other common water activities in this area.

Traditional Costume(Dhivehi Libaas)

The traditional costumes of Maldives are quite simple. Men wear sarongs (a length of clothing wrapped around the waist) with a long sleeved shirt, which is invariably white. Cotton is the preferred fabric due to the island’s tropical weather.

The traditional dress for women is called Dhivehi libaas. The costume, which resembles a dress, is typically worn during special occasions, festivals and during dance performances. Dhivehi libaas showcases one of Maldives’ most unique embroidery techniques- that of kasabu viyun. Kasabu viyun entails silver and gold lace; hand weaved into the neckline of Dhivehi libaas.

Very few crafts people currently practice kasabu work- it is therefore very rare and difficult to obtain for purchase.

Addu Golf Course

Golf Course is nestled on 7.5 hectares and located at Addu atoll. This nine-hole golf course is the only one of its kind in the Maldives and includes par three and par four holes, which average a length of 112 metres. Furthermore, the course is designed for the enjoyment of seasoned golfers and beginners alike.

Spectacular challenges and vistas await at every one of the course's nine holes. The fairways are lined by coconut palms and other exotic flora, white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and the Indian Ocean.

The course's Club House offers light snacks and refreshments, and its Pro Shop carries golf
equipment, apparel, gear and merchandise.

Addu Atoll Airport

Gan International Airport is the airport serving Addu City, located on the island of Gan nearby. First built by the British Royal Navy, and transferred to the Royal Air Force as RAF Gan, the Gan International Airport was originally a military airbase built during World War II and commissioned until the 1970s. The United Kingdom transferred ownership to the government of the Maldives, and it was converted for use as a domestic airport. Recently the airport was upgraded to international standards with the opening of tourist resorts in the area. Now Gan international Airport caters to both domestic, international airlines and private jets.

At the moment, Gan international airport is connected by SriLankan Airlines via Colombo. More international airlines are expected to begin operations in the near future.

Addu Dialect(Addu Bas)

Addu Bas is the dialect spoken in the southern region of the archipelago, an area quite diversified from the rest.  It’s fairly similar to the Mulaku dialect and it can be distinguished by the use of the final -o where Male’ Dhivehi would use - u instead. Oddly enough, people from Addu think that their own dialect and the Male’ one are not that different after all and can easily understand the variations.

History(British Era)

There are no exact records of when the first settlers arrived in Addu Atoll. But Archaeological finds

reveal that the islands were inhabited as early as 1500 BCE. Maldives was previously a Buddhist nation, but frequent contact with Arab travellers paved the way for the Maldives to embrace Islam. The people of Meedhoo Island in Addu were amongst the first to convert to Islam in the Maldives.

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 here, 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.

However, Tensions between the southern atolls and the central government in Male’ peaked in the
1960s  when  the inhabitants of the southern atolls of Addu and Huvadhoo, objected to then prime
minister, Ibrahim Nasir’s demand that the British cease employing local labour.  This lead the
southerners to severe ties from the central government and to form their own independent state, which was short lived as it was squashed by an armed fleet sent by the Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir.

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.

White Tern(Dhondheeni)

The White Tern (Gygis alba) locally known as Dhondheeni, sometimes called as Kandhuvalu dhooni is a small seabird traditionally only confined to the Addu Atoll, the southern extreme atoll in the Maldives.

However, the White Tern is commonly found across the tropical seas of the world and in the Indian Ocean.

The White Tern is one of the most beautiful and interesting resident bird found in the Maldives. It has got all body white with black eye-ring and black bill with blue at the base. Legs and feet are also blue, with yellow to webs. In recent decades white tern has been proudly used as a symbol by the people of Addu Atoll to represent their atoll in the Maldives.

The White Tern primarily feed on smaller fish which it catches by nose-diving down on the surface, but it does not submerge fully. It is a long-lived bird, having been recorded living for 18 years.

It is widely believed that the absence of crows in Addu Atoll has led to the successful flourishing of white terns for more than a century. When crows or any certain predator are around, white terns attack or harass the intruders, normally in order to protect their young. Some argue that this is the main reason why there are no crows found in Addu Atoll.

The main habitat of white tern is breadfruit, mango and other large trees in Addu Atoll. In early 1990s some of the White Terns have migrated to neighboring atoll and started to flourish in Haodigala- an uninhibited island in Ghaafu Dhaal Atoll.

White Tern is a protected bird in the Maldives; hence, their capture, sale and captivity have been

prohibited.

Manta Rays

Manta rays are the mysterious gentle giants of the ocean. The name manta rays derive from the Spanish word manta, meaning cloak or blanket.

From above, the rays are great black silhouettes, scything streamlined shapes that fishermen called “devil fish” because of the curious horn-like fins hanging down near their mouths. But side on and up close you can look into their eyes and get a sense of their peaceful nature. Unlike stingrays, mantas don’t have venomous spines in their tails, and unlike many fish species they seem to enjoy human company.

Maldives is a famous manta ray’s destination. They have about 67000 mantas in their water all year

around. You can see them move gracefully and gently through their turquoise lagoons. Also you can
feed these creatures while they come upon on the beaches which would be a truly magical moment for most visitors to experience.

Addu Atoll

There are unique highlights in the islands of Addu atoll. The islands are shielded from the gales and high rushes of the Indian Ocean by hindrance reefs. Coconut palms, the national tree, can develop wherever on the Islands. Crystal clear beaches surrounding the islands are special points for viewing the incredible sun sets on the gleaming water.

Not at all like different atolls of Maldives, Addu atoll has a splash of late colonial flavor. The Gan Island of Addu atoll has being a British naval and airbase during the Second World War. Ruins from the British era and other important monuments are some of the places worth to explore and capture in your hearts. Additionally, Addu atoll is famous for its rich mangroves, which are located on the heart of the atoll- Hithadhoo. The water here is filled with small fresh water fishes. Apart from this, Addu atoll has a rich whale and dolphin fauna and is a home for an incredible decent variety of species.

There are more attractions within the island that will add up to the memories of your stay in Addu atoll.

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Exploring Addu Atoll