You will be surprised about what is awaiting you on Gan. A sumptuous vegetation, huge palm tees, all kind of bushes and flowers and green grass, meadows and fields. But that is not everything; next to Gan there are 4 other islands and all of them are connected by the Addu causeway. Totally all these islands are inhabited by about 25'000 Maldivians that live mostly from agriculture and fishing.

From 1941 to 1976 Gan was a British Air Force Base and the island was developing quickly. There are many good roads, ideal for hikes on foot and bicycle trips.

Even the 18 hole golf course is still in a good condition but it was not used in the last few years. The local inhabitants are very friendly and basically all of them speak good English. On all the islands you can find exceptional beaches for swimming, snorkelling and observing the rich fauna and flora. On one of the islands there is even a small lake. Between October and March many different kind of birds can be spotted there.

For those who like to explore Gan on foot or with a bike, the Ring Road around the airport is recommended. The first part is pure nature, twice you will have to cross the runway, only when the traffic light shows green of course.

Although there are usually not more than three flights a day, some days there are none. Back in the civilisation the way leads under shady trees to the small airport building and the monument for the dead of the Indian regiments with its two powerful cannons, which were once a component of a coastal battery at the eastern side of Gan. The path goes on passing the two garment factories, many small shops and restaurants, former accommodations of the British soldiers and other formerly used military buildings.

A short stop is recommended in the park of the youth where directly at the sea you will find the old army swimming pool, as well as a small mosque that used to be a Christian garrison church before it was re-designed to an Islamic place of worship.

After approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours a fit biker will be back at his starting point at the for the moment only tourist resort in the Atoll,

the Equator Village Resort  Further bicycle tours should lead to the neighbour islands, in order to experience Maldivian life purely!

Geographical and Historical Background

The Maldive Islands became a British Protectorate in 1887. During the Second World War the British built naval bases at both the north and south ends of the archipelago. In 1957 the air base was built on Gan, an island on the southern tip of the Addu Atoll. Addu Atoll being the southernmost group in the archipelago. The Maldives became an Independent Republic on July 26 ^th1965. RAF Gan continued to operate until 1976.