Hithadhoo
Hithadhoo is the largest island in Addu Atoll and one of the largest in the entire Maldives, stretching over five kilometers in length. It serves as the population center of the atoll, home to around 10,000 people and the majority of Addu's government services, schools, and commercial establishments. The northern end of the island is home to the Eidhigali Kilhi wetland area and nature park, a freshwater marsh surrounded by mangroves that supports waterbirds and provides a unique terrestrial nature experience in the Maldives. Hithadhoo has a distinctly urban feel for a Maldivian island, with busy streets, multiple restaurants and cafes, and a vibrant community that takes pride in its distinct Addu identity. The island connects to Maradhoo via the Link Road causeway at its southern end.
Maradhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo
Maradhoo and the adjacent community of Maradhoo-Feydhoo occupy the middle section of the Link Road chain, providing a transition between the busier Hithadhoo to the north and the quieter Feydhoo and Gan to the south. Maradhoo has developed as a residential area with schools, mosques, and local businesses, while Maradhoo-Feydhoo maintains a slightly more village-like character. Together they house several thousand residents and offer guesthouse accommodation for travelers. The shoreline along this stretch of the chain features both lagoon-facing calm waters and reef-facing areas with stronger wave action, providing varied beach experiences within walking or cycling distance.
Feydhoo
Feydhoo is a compact community known for its market area and as a commercial node within the Link Road chain. During the British era, Feydhoo was closely associated with the military presence on neighboring Gan, and many residents worked on the base. Today, the island retains some architectural traces of that period alongside traditional Maldivian buildings. Feydhoo's market area is a good place to sample local snacks and interact with residents, and its proximity to Gan means that travelers staying here have easy access to the airport, the resort, and the historical sites associated with the former military base.
Gan
Gan occupies the southeastern corner of the Link Road chain and is home to Gan International Airport, built on the former RAF airfield. The island carries the most visible reminders of the British military presence — old barracks buildings, communications structures, and the broad runway that now serves civilian aircraft. A resort property occupies part of the island, offering accommodation in converted military buildings alongside newer construction. Gan's beaches face the open Indian Ocean to the south and east, receiving swells that create surfing possibilities and a more dynamic ocean environment than the sheltered lagoon side. The island's combination of history, natural beauty, and practical airport access makes it many visitors' first impression of Addu.
Northern Islands
Addu's atoll structure includes several islands on the northern rim that are not connected by the Link Road and require boat access. These include Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, inhabited islands that maintain more traditional characters and are reached by a short boat ride from the southern chain. These northern islands offer quieter, more secluded experiences and access to different reef systems and dive sites on the atoll's northern edge.