10 reasons to visit Addu City in the Maldives

Saturday 16th of April 2022

Addu City is the second-largest urban area of Maldives, located in the southernmost atoll of the Maldivian archipelago. The city consists of inhabited islands, rich history, and beautiful natural scenery. Not only that, but you may find yourself in love with the unique culture, traditions, language and the food offered in Addu. If you seek to deviate from the norm of staying in isolated resorts and are considering exploring the wonders of Maldives, Addu is the place to be, as it offers the best of both luxury and local lives.

Still not convinced? Here are 10 reasons that we think you should visit Addu City for your next vacation.

1. Addu nature park

The Addu nature park, which encompasses the Eydhigali Kilhi wetlands and Koattey, is a protected area on Hithadhoo island which has a rich ecosystem that brims with life. There are many different ways that you can experience the nature park. You could explore the paved roads and the piers by renting a buggy, see the beautiful red mangroves of the Bedhi bay by canoeing, or you could simply walk on foot on the walkways and take in the natural beauty at your own pace.

2. Unique cuisine

There is a wide variety of authentic dishes made using fresh ingredients in Addu, ranging from coconut-based curry to sweet and savoury delicacies. We recommend trying the Addu Havaadhu, which is an easy-to-use curry mix used to make tuna or chicken curry and best enjoyed with rice or soft thin pita bread. You can try pairing this with the Addu bendi, which is a sweet snack made using coconut flesh. There are also Gaadiyas (local food and drink stalls) that offer many sweet and savory snacks.

3. Choose how you want to stay

Addu offers 1 city hotel, 16 guesthouses, and 3 resorts to choose from. Each accommodation has unique characteristics that set them apart from one another. The guesthouses in particular offer bed and breakfast, full-board and half-board packages, paired with ready-made or customised excursion packages to cater to your preferred type of vacation.

4. Experience living with a local family

Speaking of guesthouses in Addu, they also allow the option to spend three hours with a local family, which would allow you to see first hand how they handle daily chores, how they spend their free time during the day, and enjoy a traditional meal with the family. Being pampered is simply a part of living life as an Adduan.

5. The city tours

There are six districts of Addu which are all well connected, and there are a variety of options on how to explore these areas. You can go on a city tour bus ride, or if you’d prefer a leisurely ride from one district to another at your own pace, you can rent a car, motorbike, or a bicycle. If you happen to be saying in a resort nearby Addu, you can get transfers to Addu via speedboat, rent a motorbike and move between districts, try the cuisine, look at the scenery, and take pictures of your experiences.

6. Bird watching

Addu is located in a migratory route for many birds, and it is also the home to some of them. You can spot a variety of them while staying or travelling between districts, but for the more serious bird watchers, there are seasons during which rarer birds can be seen in Addu, particularly in the Koattey area which is home to over 28 bird species and various critters.

7. Diving

Diving or snorkelling enthusiasts are going to love it in Addu, as it is home to some of the most diverse diving spots. There is a lot to see in these diving spots ranging from coral reefs, manta rays, sharks, and tiny seahorses. The biggest shipwreck in Maldives, which is the British Loyalty Wreck, is also located near Addu, and the visit is worth the 25 minutes to reach the site.

8. Historical Significance

Addu is the oldest populated Atoll in the Maldives, with traces of settlements being found dated as far back as 2000 BCE. In 1942, the British Royal Navy used Addy City’s Gan Island for its Royal Air Force (RAF) base. The airfield was later turned into Gan International Airport, and the Army Hospital is now a dive centre. There are many World War II era sites in certain areas for public viewing, such as an old cinema and the cannon guns used by the British.

9. Connectivity

Gan International Airport has been developed to cater for locals and tourists. There are daily and weekly flights to Addu City offered by our national carrier, Maldivian, and by a private airline, Manta Air. Select international flights can also fly directly to Addu City.

10. Right on the equator

Last but certainly not least, Addu City is located right on the equator. If you stay in the local hotel, the Equator Village, you get a certificate that congratulates you for crossing the equator.

So there you have it, if you are planning a holiday to the Maldives, we hope you will spend some time and experience the southern heart of the country in Addu City.