Gan, Seenu atoll

Flying time: 70 Mins

Gan is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll, as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards. Gan Island was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants were moved to neighboring islands after the British naval and airbase was built. It had been having continuous human habitation since very ancient times.Gan Island has now a hotel catering for tourists and is connected by causeways to the neighboring islands of Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo.

Attractions & Sights

Havitha, Gnaviyani Atoll Fuvahmulah - This historical place located in Fuvahmulah is known to be a buddist stupa called a 'Havitha' this place has a height of 25 meters.

British Loyalty, Seenu Atoll, Hithadhoo - A shipwreck site near Hithadhoo. This steel ship of 5583 tons was wrecked on the South-western Reef of this island on 9th March 1944 torpedoed by the Japanese in World War II. This is one of the best wreck diving points in Maldives.

British War Memorial, Seenu Atoll, Gan - The British troops were stationed during the World War II on the island of Gan. This island was used as a base of the Royal Air force of Britan until March 1976. A war memorial was built in the Gan island and even today this is a famous historic location for many especially for the former members of the British troops who were based here.

Edigalhi Kilhi kotey Area, Seenu Atoll, Hithadhoo - The wetland area of Edigalhi kilhi and kotey Area is environmental protected under the Maldivian Law. This is a breeding ground for different species of birds living in this area, also different kinds of Migratory birds can be seen depending on the season.

White tern (Dhon Dheeni), Seenu Atoll - Gygis Alba Locally know as 'Dhondheeni', sometimes called as Kandhuvalu dhooni is a small seabird traditionally only confined to the Addu atoll. The white tern is one of the Most beautiful and interesting resident birds found in the Maldives. It has a full body of white feathers with a distinctive black ring around the eye and a black bill with blue at the base. This white tern is protected in the Maldives

Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani Atoll - The island is about 4.5 km by 1.2 km with a submerged reef extending for about three km in a SE direction. In the distant past fuamulaku was a small coral atoll whoes southern end was open at a spot called Diyarehifaando and the inside of the island was a saltwater lagoon forming a natural harbor, In time the inner lagoon lost its saltiness and all that remains today are small lakes, wetlands and marshy taro fields. Therefore Fuamulaku is a small Atoll that closed and filled in with silt. The Northern lake of the island is known as 'Dhadimagi-Kilhi' and the southern is known as 'Bandaara-Kihi'. Lacking a lagoon and being subject to violent ocean swells, FuvahMulah island was often inaccessible to seafarers. Recently a harbor has been built at the SE top of the island, but its not easy to use in the often-harsh weather conditions.

Tourism in Seenu Atoll

Seenu Atoll (from the Letter 'S' of the Thaana Maldivian alphabet) is the name of Addu Atoll as an administrative division of the Maldives. Addu Atoll together with Fuvahmulah Island, located 30KM north of Addu Atoll extends Maldives to the southern hemisphere crossing the equator. Addu Atoll is located approximately 478 Km south of Male’.

There are not many islands in this atoll, but many of them are large compared to the average size of islands in Maldives. Most inhabited islands in Addu are in the western reef and these are Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo and Gan. All these islands are connected with each other through a road or causeway. The islands of Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo share a large island in the east. The total population of Addu Atoll is just over 30,000.

Shangri-la's Villingili Resort and Spa, Seenu Atoll, Villingili - located in Addu atoll is the first luxury resort  and opened in July 2009. The resort has much to offer to its visitors. Being a Shangri-la property, visitors are guaranteed the true Shangri-la experience of pure luxury and elegance within an environment full of lush vegetation and bird life in addition to the 6 kilometers of pure white beaches that are almost synonymous with the Maldives.

Equator Village, Seenu Atoll, Gan is located in Gan, Addu Atoll which is the most southern Atoll of the country. Gan which was used as a Royal Air Force base by the british throughout World War II is full of a history for any visitor to enjoy. This is a part of Maldives that most visitors to the country is not able to experience however with resorts such as Equator Village, the opportunity to explore this unique and historical region has become possible for many. Equator Village was initially the RAF sergeants MESS quartors and later became a holiday camp for the Royal Air Force transit stops. Gan is also known for its wonderful diving spots and many visitors to the Equator Village are repeaters who have been completely charmed by the resort and the region.

Herathera Island, Seenu Atoll is a resort with 600 beds owned by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation is only 20 mins away from Gan International Airport.
This is the one of the few resorts of this scale in the Maldives at the moment and expected to be operational by Summer 2010.

Gan International Airport Information

Aerodrome Location Indicator and Name	VRMG - Gan Island / Gan
ARP coordinates and site at AD	004136S 0730920E Runway mid point
Direction and distance from City	148 degrees 13KM from Hithadhoo
Elevation / Reference temperature	1.8 M (6 FT) / 30.1 degrees C
MAG VAR / Annual change	5 degrees W (1995)
Apron surface and strength	Surface: Concrete Strength: LCN 70
Taxiway width, surface and strength	Width: 19.5 M Surface: Concrete Strength: LCN 70
ACL Location and elevation	Location: Runway mid-point Elevation: 1.8 M / 6 FT
AD Administration	Maldives Airports Company Limited
Address	Malé International Airport Republic of Maldives
Telephone	(960) 313309
Fax	(960) 323504
Telex	66123 MAA MF
AFS / AFTN	VRMMYDYX
Types of traffic permitted	IFR / VFR
VRMM Operational hours	0230 - 0930
Fuel / Oil types	Jet A1
Hotels	1 (1.7 Km from Terminal)
Restaurants	I1 (1.5 Km from Terminal)
Transportation	Private taxis / bus service
Medical facilities	Hospital (15 Km from airport)
Bank / Post	1.5 Km from Terminal
* Prior permission required for NON-SKED TFC and all flights wishing to operate    outside these hours. * Customs and Immigration available for international cargo flights only.
For more detailed information visit Civil Aviation Department website