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The Maldives boasts over 1190 islands. While most of them remain uninhabited, each one is characteristically special. Of course, the private resort islands are in a league of their own. They offer visitors the chance to relish the luxurious side of life in the Maldives. On the other hand, public islands provide unadulterated insight into the cultural and traditional aspects of the island nation.
However, a few islands in the archipelago are significantly different from the others. These public islands offer something unrivaled, especially for tourists in search of new and offbeat adventures.
Gan is one of one such exclusive destination. It is among the very few places in the archipelago that let you enjoy the best of the Maldives’ public and private worlds.
About Gan
If you look at the airline departure board at Malé Airport, you’ll notice several domestic flights leaving for Gan every day. But why is that? What makes Gan so unique and different from all the other public islands of the Maldives?
For starters, let’s make one thing clear. There are actually three islands with the name of Gan in the Maldives. Gan in Huvadhu Atoll is an uninhabited island. Gan island of Laamu Atoll is inhabited but does not have an airport. This article, though, focuses on Gan in Addu Atoll.
Before we talk any further about Gan, it’s essential to highlight the significance of Addu Atoll, which until recently was known as Seenu Atoll. Consisting of six inhabited and 23 uninhabited islands, Addu Atoll is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. That means you have to cross the equator to reach here.
Gan, as it happens, is the southernmost island of the Seenu Atoll, some 64km south of the equator. If that wasn’t enough, with a size of 2.25 sq km, it is the second-largest island in the atoll, smaller only to Hithadhoo. Furthermore, while considered an uninhabited island for having a single resort, Gan has a dual personality as a public island.
Gan’s history
Gan’s history is quite interesting. Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word “grama,” which translates to “village,” there is evidence of people having lived on Gan for centuries. More prominently, there is a strong indication of locals having once practiced Buddhism due to findings of an old havitta (Buddhist stupa). Unfortunately, these remains are no longer visible, flattened in the 1940s while constructing the runway.
This brings us to the time when Gan was a British naval and airbase during World War II. It was then that the island’s harbor and the airfield were truly buzzing with activity. Gan remained under British control until 1976, when finally, the British handed it over to the Maldivian government.
How to reach Gan
Gan is 541Km from the capital city of the Maldives, Malé. Due to the long distance, there are no scheduled speedboats that sail on this route. The occasional cargo ferries do accommodate passengers at a cheap rate. However, the journey by ferries is long and can take up to a few days.
Therefore, the best way to reach Gan is by air. A Maldivian Airlines flight from Malé takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover this distance. If wishing to arrive directly from Colombo – Bandaranaike Airport, the flying time is just under 2 hours.
Gan International Airport
Gan Airport is one of three international airports in the Maldives. The construction of the runway at the airport dates back to 1943 when the island was a British naval base. In 1957, the Royal Air Force took charge of the airfield’s administration.
Upon the British handing over the island to the local authorities, the airport lay deserted for a few years. Eventually, it was taken under development and soon started welcoming domestic flights.
Today, Gan International Airport is a joint venture between the government and a private venture firm. It only has one runway but is slowly seeing an increase in air traffic. There has been constant development at the airport so that it can help support local tourism. Moreover, it hopes to reach a point where tourists will come directly to Gan without needing to fly through Malé.
The airport, at present, welcomes domestic Maldivian Airlines flights from Malé, Fuvahmulah, Kadhdhoo, Kooddoo, and Kaadedhdhoo. Internationally, there are four flights from Colombo, operated by SriLankan Airlines every week. There have also been Indigo Airline flights from Cochin, India, arriving at Gan in the past.
The airport itself is basic yet functional in its structure. There are no air bridges yet, but ladders and busses are available as and when needed. However, the airport building has an immigration counter, baggage claim, toilets, customs for international flights, and taxis available outside the arrival terminal.
Transportation around Gan
The uniqueness of Gan doesn’t just end with it having an international airport. When it comes to transportation within the region, Gan is similar to Malé. Here, you’ll find everything from taxis and buses to motorbikes and cycles.
Moreover, Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo, and Hithadhoo are four islands of Addu Atoll linked with each other via causeways. Anyone can cross these bridges by foot or on cycles or bikes. Bicycles, though, are the most preferred mode of transportation among visiting tourists.
When planning to island-hop, it is also possible to visit nearby islands via speedboat and ferry.
Things to do in Gan
Even though Gan is far away from the touristic atolls of Maldives, more and more travelers are taking the time to holiday here every year. One good reason for the rising popularity of Addu Atoll, in general, is the number of exclusive opportunities it offers. These are excursions that especially attract offbeat tourists, diving enthusiasts, and travelers wanting a secluded vacation.
Skydive
Skydiving is relatively new in the Maldives. Since skydiving planes can only take off from regular airports, as opposed to seaplanes from anywhere, Gan International is one of the few places in the Maldives where you can enjoy this adventure activity.
Skydive Maldives offers tandem jumps which are a thrilling and scenic experience like no other. Solo jumps are also possible for experienced skydivers. Keep in mind that jumps only take place when the weather is good, and the winds are not too strong.
Diving and snorkeling
Gan is a true hidden gem of the diving world. Due to its distant location and because not many people know about it, Addu Atoll remains uncrowded even during peak diving season. For those in the knowhow, there are several dive centers, safaris, and day trips to fantastic dive spots daily.
Manta point – Just like Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, Addu has its own Manta Point. Teeming with exotic marine life, it is one dive spot where you are more than likely to come across manta rays, in addition to sharks and dolphins.
British Loyalty wreck – Another unmissable dive spot is the wreck of the British tanker Loyalty, about 30-minutes by boat from Gan. The ship has a torpedo hole in it and was purposely sunk sometime in 1946. Divers can carefully swim inside and around the wreck that promises vibrant sea creatures like corals, turtles, and various fish. The body of British Loyalty extends from about 17 meters down to 30 meters.
Gan Inside – A shallow dive site near the airport, Gan Inside is perfect for beginners. Aquatic life in this area ranges from turtles and reef sharks to stingrays.
Island picnic
Wherever you are staying in Addu Atoll, your hotel, resort, or guesthouse can help plan day trips. One of the more popular excursions in Gan is a picnic and snorkel tour to nearby sandbanks or uninhabited islands.
Bushy Island is probably the most famous of them all. A landmass with plentiful bushes, it is an idyllic spot for sunbathing and snorkeling. The organized tour typically includes lunch on the beach. You can wear a bikini or any swimsuit of your choice during your time on this island.
Addu Nature Park
Although located at the far northern corner of Hithadhoo, Addu Nature Park is easily reachable from Gan. About 16km from the airport, a day in the park is one of the highlights of spending time in Addu Atoll.
A few of the activities you can do here are snorkeling in a live reef, having a picnic, and taking a canoe through a mangrove forest. The best opportunity to admire the diversity of the Maldivian ecosystem, do not forget to set aside a day for Addu Nature Park in your itinerary.
Island-hopping
Whether in the Maldives for the first time or the tenth, visiting public islands is essential to understand Maldivian ethos and traditional lifestyle. Typically, planning an island-hopping trip takes a little effort, from arranging guesthouses to booking speedboats or ferries.
Gan takes away all these hassles. Because it connects by road to neighboring public islands, one can easily wander from one to another on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, the rest of Addu Atoll is well-connected by boat, and day trips around the province are equally simple to organize. So, be it to shop for local souvenirs, buy daily essentials, eat at a beachside café, or just mingle with residents, pick up a cycle from your resort and head on out to explore the beauty of the region.
Places to eat in Gan
There are not many restaurants in Gan. You can opt for full-board if staying in the resort. Or else, plan your day in such a way that you have lunch at one of the cafes on a nearby public island.
South Land Restaurant
Located at Gan International Airport, South Land Restaurant is open 24 hours. They have a lovely patio area as well as courtyard seating for customers. On the menu here are local classics such as fish curry, kadhuru, Maldivian short bites, parantha, fresh juices, and custard cake. South Land is an excellent place to sit and relax before or after your flight.
Vaivaru Restaurant
Vaivaru restaurant in Gan is part of Equator Village. The setting of the restaurant is ideal for a laidback meal. It is a poolside establishment with a multi-cuisine menu. Dishes include favorites from Asia, the Orient, as well as Continental classics. The resort also has a bar by the name of Veragan.
Best hotels and guesthouses in Gan
Gan is a single resort island. If you wish to stay in a guesthouse, there are plenty more around the various districts of Addu City. Most of these guesthouses are reachable by road or by taking a short boat ride.
Shangri-La’s Villinglli Resort and Canareef Resort are close to Gan International Airport if you want to stay in a five-star resort.
Equator Village Resort
Equator Village Resort is a three-star resort only a kilometer away from Gan International Airport. The 78-room retreat features a swimming pool, terrace, lounging areas, gardens, a wellness spa, and a private beach section. The rooms are bright and airy, clean, comfortable, and a pleasure to stay in. They all come with a fridge, air conditioner, free wifi, TV, and en-suite bathrooms.
When staying at Equator Village Resort, it is worth taking their all-inclusive package. Since there are no restaurants nearby, the deal takes care of all the meals. Additionally, you can enjoy unlimited drinking water and free activities like snorkel tours and non-motorized watersports. The resort can also arrange paid excursions and diving trips on request.
An important tip about Gan
Due to the distinct character of Gan, tourists staying on the island need to be more aware of their surroundings and act accordingly. While on resort property, they can enjoy the pool and private beach area in a bikini, for example. However, when leaving the hotel and strolling around the island, one needs to dress conservatively.
Similarly, alcohol consumption is possible only in the resort or dive safari boats, not in any other part of the island.
