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Equator Village Maldives: an exotic adventure
Although there are no exact records of when the first settlers arrived in Addu Atolls, several historians have tentatively concluded that people had been living in the islands of Addu for a period of more than 2,000 years.
One of the most significant influences on Addu’s modern history has been the British bases, first established on Gan during World War II as part of the Indian Ocean defence. In 1956, they developed a Royal Air Force base on Addu as a strategic Cold War outpost and built a series of causeways connecting Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo. This base is at present the Gan International Airport.
Equator Village Maldives is built on what used to be the Royal Air Force’s Sergeants Mess. The ancient colonial buildings still stand and have been tastefully converted and renovated with a modern look, giving Equator Village that colonial charm mixed with the unique beauty of Southern Maldives, and a splash of culture and mystery.
Set amidst a tropical garden, it is the ideal home away from home for those wishing to experience a different side of the Maldives. It is one of the few resorts in Maldives that is connected to local islands.
Just five minutes away from the airport, the resort has 78 spacious bungalows opening onto pretty courtyard gardens. Each room is spacious and chic, designed with classic elegance, and has its own veranda overlooking tropical flowers and plants, including native tree species like coconut, bilimbi and frangipani. The resort also has rooms with a beautiful ocean-view for guests who would much rather prefer it.
The resort has recently undergone a tasteful refurbishment to elevate its heritage and lush gardens, with a refurbished reception area, restaurant, bar, pool, gym, and beachfront.
In water, on land or indoors there are plenty of activities to engage yourself in, including mountain bicycles to explore the islands.
The resort’s Dive Centre is managed by Diverland, one of the most experienced scuba diving companies in the Maldives. This team of passionate instructors and guides offer a variety of courses from introductory dives to more advanced courses certified by PADI and SSI. They provide tailor made dive experiences for guests.
One of the most exciting dives in the atoll is the British Loyalty wreck, an oil tanker in Addu City. The British Loyalty wreck, which is the most momentous shipwreck in Maldives, lies 33 meters underwater between the islands Maradhoo and Hithadhoo. Over the years, it has garnered a lot of attention and popularity as a diving destination among both locals and tourists and has come to be one of the best dive sites in the Maldives.
Additionally, no diver should miss the manta point near Maa Kanda. This drift dive starts outside of Maa Kanda channel and ends inside the Atoll. On the eastern side, there is a vast plateau about 22 meters with an extremely nice table coral. Huge manta rays (manta alfredi) up to four meters are common around the plateau and they can be seen all year around. At times even oceanic mantas (manta birostris) can be seen. At the entrance of the channel, you can typically see numerous kinds of reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons, and fusiliers.
Other highlights include the Shark Point where you can see grey reef sharks in what has become known as the Shark Hotel, and the Turtle Point where Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles are seen regularly. The Kandihera era Region has four different dive points and is home to an extraordinary abundance of marine life including mantas, nurse sharks, turtles, and rays. Gan Inside is perfect for beginners where it is shallower yet offers a variety of marine life round the year.
Besides these thrilling experiences, Equator Village offers guests the chance to unwind after a long day. Serena Spa at the resort holds skills and natural secrets passed down from countless generations of healers, to gently ease any lingering tensions, aches or worries. After an hour of being pampered from head to toe, you will float out lighter, happier, and more in tune with your natural environment.
Equator Village is one of the most significant resorts in the Maldives, undoubtedly owing to its established history and the fact that it is in the southernmost point of Maldives in Addu. In 2020, Equator Village won awards at South Asian Travel Awards, the region’s most prestigious travel and hospitality awards ceremony. Equator Village won silver in two categories: Leading Heritage Hotel and Resort, and Leading Airport Hotel.
For more information, visit https://equatorvillage.com/ or instagram.com/equatorvillage