Overview
Gan Island lies at the southern tip of the Maldives, in Addu Atoll, just south of the equator. It is the gateway to Addu City, the country's second-largest urban area, and a quieter, more local alternative to the resorts near Malé. A Royal Air Force base until 1976, Gan still shows traces of its British past and is linked by causeway to a chain of reef-fringed islands. For UK travellers it means superb diving and real island life with few crowds.
Best time to fly to Gan Island
The Maldives has two seasons. The dry northeast monsoon, roughly December to April, brings the most sunshine, calm seas and clear water for diving; it is also the busiest and dearest time, especially over Christmas, New Year and Easter. The wet southwest monsoon, May to November, is more humid with short downpours, but fares drop and manta rays are often seen around Addu. Late April and early November tend to balance weather and value. See the When to book chart above for how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Gan Island. The usual route is a flight to Malé (Velana International Airport), then a domestic hop to Gan with Maldivian, the national carrier, taking about 75 minutes. British Airways flies Heathrow to Malé direct in around 10.5 hours, with Virgin Atlantic seasonal. One-stop options are often cheaper from regional airports: Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul or SriLankan via Colombo. Leave a generous connection in Malé, as the domestic leg is usually booked separately.
Things to do in Gan Island
Addu suits travellers who prefer nature and the water to nightlife. Highlights include:
- British Loyalty wreck: a WWII oil tanker wreck, now a coral-covered dive site often visited by manta rays.
- Eidhigali Kilhi and Addu Nature Park: a protected wetland at Hithadhoo with birdlife and a mangrove boardwalk.
- The Link Road: cycle the causeway joining Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, roughly 16km of flat, scenic riding.
- RAF Gan heritage: old hangars, base buildings and memorials from Gan's years as a British staging post.
- Reef snorkelling: house reefs and channels full of green turtles, reef sharks and coral gardens.
At Gan International Airport (GAN)
The airport is on Gan Island itself, so there is no boat transfer to reach the local islands. Feydhoo is a five-minute drive over the causeway; Hithadhoo, at the far end of the chain, is about 18km and 30 to 40 minutes by taxi. Airport taxis meet flights, and most guesthouses arrange pickups if asked in advance. Resorts on Herathera and Villingili run their own speedboat transfers of 10 to 30 minutes.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Gan Island
- Book ahead for peak season: for December to April travel, three to six months' notice usually gets the best fares.
- Fly midweek and off-peak: Tuesday and Wednesday departures, and travel from May to October, are generally cheaper.
- Keep dates flexible: moving a few days either side of school holidays can noticeably lower the price, as the price charts on this page show.
- Compare the hubs: weigh Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad against the direct British Airways flight, especially from regional airports.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders get a free 30-day visa on arrival; you will need a passport valid for your stay, a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation. All travellers must complete the online IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before both arrival and departure. The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, though US dollars and cards are widely accepted, and pounds are best changed into dollars. No vaccinations are required from the UK and there is no malaria risk. Addu's inhabited islands are Muslim communities, so dress modestly away from tourist beaches; alcohol is served only at resorts.
