Maldives's Seenu Atoll
Seenu Atoll
Seenu Atoll also known as Addoo Atoll is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. It is one of two atolls of the Maldives that lie on the south of the equator. The heart-shaped atoll is 18 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide. Addoo Atoll is different from any other Maldivian atoll in many respects. The islands are only on the rim of the atoll and the islands on the western side have been joined together to form the longest stretch of land in the country, measuring about 18 kilometers. The holiday experience at Addoo is also different from the rest of the Maldives.
This is the only atoll where you can ride a bicycle through the towns and meet the locals. The only resort in the atoll is at Gan. Buildings of the former RAF base here have been converted to provide facilities for the resort. Most visitors get to Addoo by scheduled Air Maldives flights from Male’ International Airport - an exciting one hour flight which takes you over the whole length of the Maldives chain of atolls to the south of Male’ the capital. The best diving and snorkeling in the atoll is on the long outer fringing reefs of the atoll. Caves and overhangs provide the perfect habitat for turtles and nurse sharks. Although divers may not find an abundance of reef fish, one would see mantas, sharks, turtles and generally other big fish all year round.
The large wreck of the ‘British Royalty’ torpedoed by the Japanese while in Addoo harbor, and later sunk by the British, also enhances diving in this atoll. The population of 17,000 lives on four islands, with 10,000 living on Hithadhoo the capital. Hithadhoo is a bustling town, only second to Male’, with its own hospital, secondary school and streets lined with shops. The history of the atoll is quite unique too. With the outbreak of World War II, the atoll became a key hub for British troop movements in the Indian Ocean region. A British RAF base was built in Gan and before long 1200 Addoo locals were employed by the British. After the end of the War, Gan was developed as a modern airbase with the latest navigational and landing aids, and was able to handle the most sophisticated RAF aircraft. Between 1960-61 it handled some 630 aircraft and 12,500 passengers. The British stayed in Gan until 1976.
