Addu City and the Addu Atoll at a glance
Addu City is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Hithadhoo is its administrative center, and the 2022 census counted 25,062 people in the Addu City row. A link road ties Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan together, a distance of about 14 to 16 km. Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo lie in the east, apart from that chain.
You arrive at Gan International Airport, on the island of Gan, which was a British base until 1976. The Addu Atoll has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2020. It is not a World Heritage Site. The reserve protects mangroves, freshwater ponds and brackish lakes as well as reefs, and that mix is what sets the atoll apart from a typical Maldives resort stay.
This guide covers Gan and its history, Hithadhoo and the Addu Nature Park, diving on the British Loyalty wreck and at the manta channel, snorkeling, Fuvahmulah, local islands, excursions, weather, flights, entry rules and where to stay. Prices are in US dollars unless the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) is named, as of 2026, and they change.
Our pick: a day on Addu's islands
This guided drive links four islands of Addu City by road and includes a short snorkel in Addu Nature Park, a simple first day if you arrive without plans.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Addu Atoll excursions and boat trips
Snorkeling trips, cruises, dives and island visits around Addu, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip to Addu
Start with the page that matches your plans, then add the practical ones.
Gan Island
The airport, the British base of the 20th century and the link road along the lagoon.
Diving in Addu
The British Loyalty wreck, the manta channel and 2026 price examples.
Snorkeling
Boat trips, reef rules and why a house reef is not a given.
Addu Nature Park
Mangroves, boardwalks and canoeing on Hithadhoo.
Fuvahmulah from Addu
Tiger shark diving and how to get there by ferry or flight.
Local island stays
Dress, alcohol and what changes outside a resort.
Tours and boat trips
Snorkel safari, sunset and dolphin cruises with 2026 prices.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperature and rainfall for Gan, and the two monsoons.
Flights to Gan
From Malé, from Colombo, and the taxes on departure.
Visa and entry
Visa on arrival, the free traveller declaration and the basic conditions.
Where to stay
Gan, Hithadhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and the east: which area suits you.
Prices at a glance
2026 examples, not a rate for the whole atoll.
| Item | Price in 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dive, 1 to 5 dives | $80 per dive (MVR 1,600) | Boat, tank and weights included; a full equipment set is $45 per day extra |
| Dive, 6 to 10 dives | $75 per dive (MVR 1,500) | From the 11th dive $70 (MVR 1,400) |
| Snorkel safari | $40 per person | No certification needed |
| Sunset cruise or dolphin cruise | $45 per person | Dolphin sightings cannot be promised |
| Sunset fishing | $40 per person | – |
| Green Tax | $6 or $12 per person per day | Depends on the stay, see below |
| Departure tax, economy | $50 for foreign visitors | Airlines collect it on scheduled flights |
For most visitors the dive and snorkel prices are the ones that decide the trip. See diving in Addu for the full list and the excursions page for the boat trips.
A few things to know before you go
Taxes, forms and local conditions that shape a trip to Addu.
Taxes on tourist services
The tourism goods and services tax (TGST) has been 17 percent since 1 July 2025. It covers guesthouses and domestic flights for foreign visitors. The Green Tax has been $12 per person per day since 1 January 2025. At hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands with up to 50 registered rooms it is $6. Children under 2 do not pay. Days are counted in 24-hour blocks from check-in.
Where to stay →One free form, no departure form
The traveller declaration (IMUGA) is free and can be filled in within 96 hours before arrival. Since 15 August 2024 there is no declaration to complete when you leave.
Visa and entry →Fuvahmulah is its own trip
The ferry from Feydhoo takes about 90 minutes. Plan Fuvahmulah as a stay with a night or more, and confirm flight and ferry times before you book diving there.
Fuvahmulah →A water view is not a house reef
A resort in the east of the atoll has no house reef, and the eastern side there is closed to swimming. Ask your stay where to swim and snorkel, and do not assume a reef off the beach.
Snorkeling →How many islands
The atoll has 24 to 30 islands, of which 5 are inhabited, in 6 administrative districts. The number depends on how islands are counted.
Addu City: frequently asked questions
Where is Addu City?
Addu City is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, with Gan, Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo linked by a road of about 14 to 16 km. Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo are in the east. Do not confuse Gan here with Gan in Laamu Atoll. The Gan page has the airport and the history.
How do I get to the Addu Atoll?
By air to Gan International Airport. Maldivian flies from Malé, and the flight takes about 75 to 90 minutes. SriLankan connects Gan with Colombo. See flights to Gan for the departure taxes.
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
A tourist visa is issued on arrival without prior approval, and the free traveller declaration has to be completed in the 96 hours before you arrive. You need a passport valid for at least 1 month, a confirmed return trip, a prepaid booking in a registered accommodation and enough funds. Some stays ask for a longer passport validity, so check your booking. More on the visa page.
When is the best time to visit?
In the long-term averages for Gan (1981 to 2000), February is the driest month with 110 mm and October the wettest with 274 mm. The southwest monsoon usually runs from mid-May to November and the northeast monsoon from January to March. Manta encounters are possible all year. See the weather page.
Can I drink alcohol on the local islands?
No. Outside the resorts, possession and consumption of alcohol and drunkenness are offences on inhabited islands, so do not bring alcohol from a resort. Cover your shoulders and avoid short, tight shorts in the villages. Details are on the local islands page.
Is adduatoll.com run by the city or a dive center?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to Addu City Council, Visit Maldives, any resort, dive center, tour operator or hotel.