Gan Island: how to get there, hotels and guesthouses, entertainment

Gan Island on Addu Atoll is the only island in the Maldives remote from the capital, which has its own airstrip and a small international airport. This is due to its history. In the middle of the 20th century, the British Air Force Base was located on Addu. For several decades after the war, the airport stood idle, and then tourism came to the Maldives.

Today the island of Gan is connected with the outside world by the most remote points in the south of the archipelago. It is very convenient to get here by domestic flights, as the journey to Addu by water is very long and exhausting.

The tourism industry continues to develop rapidly here. Specifically on the island of Gan, there are several small hotels, and there are a couple of luxury resorts in the region.

The southernmost atoll is dominated by a subequatorial climate due to its trans-equatorial location. The main souvenir that pleases tourists here is a certificate of crossing the equator.

General characteristics of the island of Gan:

• Population: 1,100
• Length: 5000 m
• Width: 3000 m
• Atoll: Addu (Seenu)
• Other names: Gan
• Distance from Male: 545 km

Depositphotos

How to get to Gan Island on Addu Atoll

• On a ferryboat.
• Domestic flight.

Ferries. There are no regular passenger ferries to Addu Atoll. For this type of transfer, you need to look directly in the seaport of Male for options for crossing the cargo-passenger "long" ferries of the Best Line company. The trip will take three days. There are cabins on board.

This type of transfer to the far south of the Maldives will be the cheapest (about $ 70), but only the most persistent travelers can withstand it. If you are planning a short vacation in the Maldives, it is better to spend it in the atolls closer to Male.

By plane. The Gan Island International Airport (Addu International Airport) receives direct flights from Male. Flight time is 1 hour 35 minutes. The cost of the flight will be from $ 450 in both directions. Often, tourists prefer to travel from the capital with a Flyme flight to the domestic airport of Maamigili Island. The flight takes about 40 minutes. Then a short boat trip.

Direct flights to Gan Airport are also available from Sri Lanka (Colombo) and from Cochin International Airport in India.

Asad Photo Maldives

Entertainment on the island of Gan

Diving and snorkeling

The sharp rise in water temperature that occurred in the Maldives in the 1990s and killed many coral reefs did not affect Addu in any way. Therefore, the amazing underwater world of the southern islands is very impressive for fans of diving and swimming with masks. Live corals can be observed here in some places almost under the surface of the water. There are rare species up to 200 years old.

Divers love to visit two of Addu's most colorful sites - the Drop Offs Caves and the Wrack Coral Gardens. An oil tanker was sunk at the entrance to the atoll in 1944. Today it is one of the most popular diving sites. At the spots in the northern part of Addu, you are guaranteed to see a large number of reef sharks.

On the island of Gan there is a small diving center Diverland, where you can rent all the equipment and book dives with an instructor.

Diving and snorkeling in the Maldives is one of the most popular nautical activities that are worth taking your time.

Equator Village

Travels in Addu

After the British fleet, Addu was left not only with a runway, but also with a road connecting part of the islands of the atoll. It is the longest road in the Maldives. Naturally, there is a motorbike rental here and you can move around the islands at your own pleasure, exploring the surrounding tropical beauty. The atoll has a freshwater lake with bird huts, restaurants, shops, bridges, buildings to explore.

Many locals are fluent in English, given that the fleet has not been here for almost 30 years. Impressive nature, communication with the southern Anglo-Maldives, national dishes of local restaurants - this island has a certain charm that is not found anywhere else in the Maldives.

If you find yourself in Addu, be sure to visit the historic islet of Fua Mulaku. It is a very authentic place where there is an old mosque and the ruins of an ancient temple.

Mohamed Nashah

Nutrition

Addu is famous for traditional Maldivian tuna and rice dishes prepared according to old recipes. There are not many establishments here. These are mainly small bistros where you can eat Indian and Asian dishes. One of the exclusive places on the island of Gan is Le Bistro de L'Ossau. It serves French food and has an atmosphere to match.

On the island of Maradhoo, visit the popular Maldivian restaurant Palm Village, where, in addition to local, Indian and Thai dishes, you can order something European, and guests are pleased with democratic prices. The Palm Village has a coffee and alcohol bar and a delivery service.

Quench Restaurant on Hithadhoo Island is suitable for both casual dining and festive events. Quench also organizes offsite celebrations and beach dinners.

Depositphotos

Gan Island hotels

There is only one single hotel on the island. It is in Equator Village that guests are given commemorative certificates of crossing the equator.

What Equator Village offers:

• Excellent selection of authentic villas. A total of 78 rooms and 5 accommodation options of different levels.
• Close proximity to the beach.
• A variety of all-inclusive meals, half board or accommodation with breakfast.
• Spa center on site with a good range of treatments.
• Outdoor pool next to the bar, tennis court.
• "Live" musical evenings in the hotel bar, entertainment program for guests.
• Organization of excursions and leisure activities on the island.
• Fishing and diving trips.

In the Addu region, opt for the luxurious Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa on Villingili Island. The popular Charming Holiday Lodge and the secluded South Palm Resort Maldives are popular on Meedu Island.

Equator Village