Puneet Varma (Editor)

Vaadhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)

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Country
  
Maldives

Distance to Malé
  
438 km (272 mi)

Area
  
167 ha

Administrative atoll
  
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll

Geographic atoll
  
Upper south Province

Time zone
  
MST (UTC+05:00)

Population
  
1,562 (2011)

Vaadhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)

Vaadhoo (Div: ވާދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Southern Huvadhu Atoll, in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll administrative division.

Contents

Map of Vaadhoo, Maldives

Archaeology

Important Buddhist remains have been found on this island, including:

  • A ruined stupa called “Vādū Havitta” is located on the north-east of the centre of the island. It is about 90 m in circumference and 10 m in height.
  • On the north-east of the centre of the island is another mound which is about 40 m in circumference and 5 m in height.
  • Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and investigated the ancient Buddhist ruins in the 1980s accompanied by Mohamed Lutfi. Some carved coral stones representing Buddha's foot (Buddhapada) include Vajrayana symbols that were found. However, the ruins have not been well researched yet.

    Vaadhoo Farmers Cooperative Society

    Vaadhoo Farmers Cooperative Society was established at 21 July 2011.

    Blue bowls

    Blue Bowls is the surf spot on Vaadhoo. It is a favorite stop for boat charters in the Maldives, not only because it’s a long and smooth righthander, but also because anchoring there means an opportunity to meet the local population and spend time in the local village—one of the great advantages to having amazing waves in a truly unique location.

    Also known as Voodoos, Blue Bowls is a flexible right that is unusually protected from onshore winds, due to being tucked away inside the pass between Castaways and Five Islands. More of a point style wave, this protected peak wraps smoothly around the point before opening up into a series of bowls (hence the name). The sections repeatedly bowl up into wide and open faces leading to a nice long ride, fit for shortboard shredders, but mellow enough for funboards and longboards.

    The protected setting from the wind makes Blue Bowls almost always surfable, especially since it handles all stages of the tide really well. Blue Bowls ranges between three and eight feet but is particularly ideal at four to six feet, with westerly wind during a southeast or southwest swell. This is definitely the place to head towards if unsure about everywhere else.

    References

    Vaadhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll) Wikipedia