Addu Atoll (Seenu) is located just south of the equator in the Maldives, and is the southernmost atoll in the Maldives archipelago. It is shaped like a heart, spanning 18 km in width and 15 km in length. The capital is Hithadhoo, with a population of over 28905(2009).

There are 24 islands in Addu Seenu Atoll with 20 of them still uninhabited. The islands on the western end Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo are interconnected by a causeway-like barrier reef, protecting against the fluctuating tides. The water level can vary as much as half a meter on either side during the tidal changes.

The islands are all very beautiful, with many coconut trees and greenery, and the communities living there take good care to keep Addu Seenu clean and tidy. Some island communities are so small the mail can be addressed to the individual houses on the island. Houses are mostly built of coral rocks and usually have luscious gardens brimming with fruit trees bearing bananas and coconuts.

Addu Seenu Atoll is internationally famous for its wreck dives, large manta rays, sharks, turtles and bigger fish in general, all throughout the year, as opposed to an abundance of smaller reef fish. It is also known for its brilliant coral patches in the north and broad barrier reefs with several islands on the east and west. There are a total of four kandus in this atoll, Gan Kandu, Viligili Kandu, Maa Kandu and Kuda Kandu. There are a few caves studded around the region, however relatively few in comparison with the other atolls in the Maldives.

Currents are not as forceful as in other parts of the Maldives, so it is a great dive location for novice scuba divers looking for a thrilling dive excursion. The channels can be navigated with relative ease, with the average depth within the atoll at 35 meters, and a maximum depth of 75 meters in the center. There are several different dialects in the south of the Maldives, so certain words are pronounced differently, for example Kandu is Kanda, Faru is Fara and Giris are Galhas. The following links have some more information for your travel to Addu Atoll in Maldives

HIGHLIGHTS

CAPITAL: Hithadhoo

TOTAL ISLANDS: 24

POPULATION: 30000+ (2020)

ISLANDS IN ADDU ATOLL: Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo Feydhoo, Feydhoo, Gan, Hulhumeedhoo, Kandu Huraa

NUMBER OF ISLANDS: 24