Addu City Maldives - The Southernmost Maldives, at the Equator

Your guide to pristine beaches, rich history, and unforgettable island adventures in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives.

We partner with travel platforms to help you compare prices. you book directly with the operator. We may earn a small commission if you book with no extra cost to you.

Addu City Maldives. Where the Maldives Meets the Equator

Far beyond the crowded resort islands, where the ocean widens into deep blues and the air feels different, lies Addu City Maldives. The southernmost gem of the Maldives. This is where ancient history meets untamed nature. Where you can:

đŸšČ Cycle across five connected islands on the Maldives longest causeway.

🌮 Glide through mangrove channels in Addu Nature Park, then snorkel WWII shipwrecks resting in turquoise calm.

đŸïž Sip black tea in a street cafĂ© as fishermen unload their catch. A Maldives moment untouched by postcards and filters.

Here, tourism and tradition coexist. You’re not just visiting an island; you’re entering a living culture with its own dialect, stories, and southern identity. All connected by open road and open sea.

And getting here? Easier than you think.

Fly Direct to Gan - Your Gateway to the Southern Maldives

Gan International Airport (GAN) originally built as RAF Gan during WWII is Addu City’s international gateway. You can reach Addu by a quick domestic hop from MalĂ© (flight ~70–95 minutes) on Maldivian, or via direct international services from Colombo (SriLankan Airlines). frequencies vary by season.   

đŸ›« From MalĂ©: 70 Minutes to Paradise – 3+ daily flights with Maldivian Airlines. That means you can leave the capital after breakfast and be cycling beside the ocean before lunch.

🌐 From Colombo: Land in the Maldives Without MalĂ© – Direct flights with SriLankan Airlines connects travellers from South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East straight to Gan.

🚱 For Ocean Voyagers – Whether arriving on a luxury cruise or private yacht, Addu’s deep water anchorage offers easy shore access and warm welcomes.

🛂 Clear Customs Here, Skip the Capital Rush – Gan is the Maldives second international gateway. Your holiday starts the second you land.

💡 Travel Tip: Arrive in Gan first and you’re already in the Maldives’ most peaceful city, no crowds, no rush, just ocean, islands, and open road.

Discover Addu City - Six Islands, Six Stories

Each inhabited island in Addu City has a distinct personality from Hithadhoo’s markets and Addu Nature Park, to Gan’s wartime heritage and the peaceful wetlands of Meedhoo.

A buzzing local centre and home to Addu Nature Park and the Koattey wetlands. Ideal for birdwatching and market walks. Learn More

Ride the Link Road and discover cafés, street art and local markets. The recently opened Hankede Bridge further improves connectivity. Learn More

Known for its strong local identity and the history of royal exiles. Main ferry link to Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. Learn More

Home to Gan International Airport and remnants of the RAF base; gateway to the British Loyalty wreck and manta sites. Learn More

Mangroves, traditional fishing and a slower pace. Learn More

Visit Koagannu Cemetery (one of the country’s oldest) and Mathikilhi Eco Garden, the atoll’s important wetland. Learn More

Every island in Addu City is a chapter, but together it’s a story. One you’ll live, not just read.
The Maldives isn’t a resort brochure; it’s a journey you take island by island, road by road, and smile by smile.

Why Choose Addu City Maldives Over the Usual Atolls ?

Same Maldives, Different Story.

Yes, the beaches are just as white, the waters just as blue, but here, you get something rarer. The Maldives beyond the postcard. Addu City isn’t about staying on one resort island. It’s about the freedom to move, connect, and discover. You’ll cycle across five islands, dive untouched reefs, and feel the heartbeat of a culture that’s been thriving in the southern tip of the Maldives for centuries. And the best part? You can fly straight here via Gan International Airport. No overnight layovers, no speedboat shuttles.

Nowhere else connects islands like Addu does. A single causeway, the Maldives’ longest links five islands in a ribbon of road over turquoise water. Addu’s Link Road and new Hankede Bridge let you island-hop by bike or car

Gan Island isn’t just a point on the map. It’s the end of the world feeling. Few tourists make it this far south, which makes every sunrise and sunset feel like it belongs only to you.

Culture You Can Live, Not Just Observe

Addu speaks its own dialect, tells its own stories, and shares its own dishes. You won’t find staged “cultural nights” here. You’ll find real families inviting you in for home cooked meals, fishermen teaching you their craft, and neighbours stopping to chat in the street.

Untouched Reefs & WWII Wreck Diving

Slip into a world of coral gardens where the only company might be a school of parrotfish or a drifting manta ray. For divers, WWII relics and the British Loyalty wreck are unique to Addu diving itineraries only. One of the Maldives’ rare historic dive sites. With fewer boats, every dive feels like a private expedition.

Rich wetlands & birdlife

Mathikilhi Eco Garden and the Koattey wetlands host key bird habitats including the white tern. “Dhondheenaa“, the iconic bird of Addu City

Getting Here is Easy and Memorable

Fly direct from Colombo or take a quick 70 minute hop from MalĂ©. Or, turn your arrival into an adventure. Come by yacht, or cruise into Addu as your first Maldivian port of call. However you arrive, you’ll step straight into the Maldives at its most peaceful.

Only in Addu - Can’t Miss Experiences

Some places you just visit. In Addu, you live them.
Every sunrise here comes with a choice to wander, to explore, to connect. This is where the ocean, the islands, and the people invite you into a rhythm you’ll never want to leave.

đŸ›¶ Paddle Through Mangrove Secrets

Kayak through mangrove of Addu city nature park

Glide silently through lush mangrove tunnels in Addu Nature Park, immersed in nature’s quiet embrace.

☕ Tea, Stories & Island Hospitality

Sipping Tea by the seaside of Addu City. Addu hedhikaa is most popular snack in the Maldives

Sip traditional black tea, savor fresh hedhikaa snacks, and connect warmly with locals who welcome you like family.

Swim with Manta Rays

Diving with Manta Rays. visible throughout the year

Experience awe-inspiring encounters with graceful manta rays gliding through southern reefs.

Stargazing by the Shore

star gazing at Addu city

Watch the Milky Way rise over silent oceans and endless skies — a celestial show few get to witness.

💬 Your Addu Story Starts Here
Every day in Addu is a new chapter of discovery, connection, and wonder. Where will your journey take you?

Plan Your Addu Adventure

Mathikilhi eco garden, addu city

Choose Your Arrival:
Land directly at Gan International Airport or connect via Malé.

Book Your Stay:
From cozy guesthouses to island resorts, search, compare, and book instantly using our trusted partners.

Get Around:
Cycle, scooter, or taxi. All islands are connected, so exploring is effortless.

Best Time to Visit:
Year round diving and calm seas. Peak season: November to April.

Addu City Travel Tips - What You Need to Know Before You Go

Now that you’re dreaming, here’s the practical magic to make it happen.

đŸ›«Â  Fly Direct to GAN Airport | Save precious hours and arrive ready to explore. Skip the overnight layovers. You are here in the heart of Addu the moment you land.

🏹 Book Stays Early | From cozy guesthouses to beachfront resorts, Addu fills up during holidays. Book early for the best choices and rates.

đŸ›” Rent a Bike or Scooter | With causeways linking the islands, two wheels are the best way to feel the ocean breeze while you explore

🌊  Dive or Snorkel with Experts| Explore vibrant reefs and historic wrecks throughout the year with certified local guides who know every secret spot.

💳  Carry Both Cash & Card | ATMs are available, but smaller cafes and shops often prefer MVR or USD in cash.

đŸ“± Stay Connected | Grab a Dhiraagu or Ooredoo SIM at the airport for smooth navigation, instant sharing, and no Wi-Fi worries.

Your Addu Story

Imagine waking up on Gan Island


  • Day 1: Check in, rent a bike, cycle the causeway at golden hour.

  • Day 2: Morning dive at coral walls, afternoon mangrove canoeing.

  • Day 3: Birdwatching & rare white tern photography.

  • Day 4: WWII heritage tour & sunset dinner at a beach cafĂ©.

  • Day 5: Sunrise selfie at the southernmost point before flying out.

Every day is a mix of freedom, culture, and connection. No crowded ferry queues, no “tourist-only” zones.

The Maldives You’ve Been Waiting For Is Just One Flight Away

Don’t just dream about the Maldives. Experience the southern side where nature, culture, and history meet. With easy flights, affordable stays, and adventures you won’t find anywhere else, Addu City is ready to welcome you now.

Your next story begins here.