Gan Island: a different side to the Maldives

One of the potential frustrations of visiting the Maldives is the necessity of choosing between staying in a luxurious resort or getting off the beaten track and seeing something of the local culture. Resorts tend either to be located on private islands or on parts of islands that have been entirely cut off from areas inhabited by the local population. In light of this, Gan Island and the Equator Village Hotel are something of a rarity in that they offer guests the opportunity to experience a bit of both.

Gan Island has recently become much more accessible due to a new international route to their tiny island airport. Sri Lankan Airlines, as part of their new focus on expanding regional routes, has become the first international airline to offer a Maldives destination beyond Male. Currently, there are 4 flights a week between Colombo and Gan.

Located in Addu Atoll, the most southerly point in The Maldives, Gan itself has a fascinating history. A…