Addu Atoll (Hithadhoo)
Seenu Atoll · Addu City · Gan Island
0°37.1'S 73°09.5'E
Depth
8–25m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m radius — deep sand anchorage in the Addu lagoon. The atoll lagoon is large and well-sheltered from NE trades by the surrounding reef. Southern exposure to SW monsoon swells is significant — depart well before May.
About This Anchorage
Addu Atoll (Seenu Atoll) is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, lying just south of the equator at 0.5°S — making it technically outside the Maldives' tropical latitude band. Hithadhoo is the atoll's main island and the administrative capital, known as Addu City. The atoll has a remarkable history as a British Royal Air Force base — the runway on Gan Island was built during WWII and RAF personnel served here until 1976. British influence is still visible in English architecture, road names, and the Addu population's generally good English. The lagoon is enormous and deep, providing excellent shelter for yachts. Addu is a genuinely different Maldives experience — the people, architecture, and landscape differ from the northern atolls. The coral causeways connecting the main islands are unique in the Maldives.
Protected From
N · NE · E · NW
Exposed To
S · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Port dues apply
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Maldives Yacht Cruising Permit required and must specify Addu Atoll. Customs and immigration available at Hithadhoo — entry procedures may be required if arriving from overseas. Confirm current port entry requirements before arrival.
Restrictions: Do not approach military zones or restricted areas near former RAF base. Confirm customs clearance requirements for yachts arriving from south (Sri Lanka or India routes).
Hazards
- !450nm from Malé — major offshore passage through poorly charted waters
- !Limited rescue services at this remote location
- !SW monsoon swell enters the atoll from the southern channels — depart by April
- !Coral heads throughout the atoll lagoon — careful pilotage required
- !Equatorial countercurrent and unpredictable currents in the region
Skipper's Tips
- →Addu is an excellent provisioning stop for yachts crossing to Sri Lanka, India, or onwards to Chagos
- →Fuel and water available at Hithadhoo — contact port authority in advance
- →The coral causeway road connecting the islands is a unique cycling/walking route
- →British WWII remains on Gan Island are historically fascinating
- →Weather window planning is critical — only NE monsoon Nov–Mar makes this trip practical
- →Contact Addu Port Control on VHF 16 before entering the atoll
Facilities
Multiple restaurants and shops in Hithadhoo town. Maldivian cuisine. No alcohol on the island. Addu City is the largest urban centre in southern Maldives.
Nearest provisions: Hithadhoo (Addu City) (0nm)
Best Months & Season
November, December, January, February, March
November to March in the NE monsoon. Addu lies below the equator so the monsoon timing differs slightly from northern Maldives — November arrival gives the best weather window. SW monsoon (May–Oct) makes the 450nm passage from Malé extremely dangerous.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
Hundreds of miles from assistance, in open Indian Ocean territory, a dragging anchor is a serious emergency. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — the essential safety layer for remote blue-water anchorages.
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