Ellaidhoo Island Resort | Dive The Maldives | Scuba Travel

Ellaidhoo Island Resort | Dive The Maldives - Indian Ocean

  • Divers' island with 112 rooms
  • 4 room grades from land bungalows to water bungalows
  • Madi buffet restaurant and Malamathi a la carte
  • Iruohsnee day and sunset bar
  • Spa, fitness, island hopping, fishing
  • Dive centre offers 24 hour house reef diving
  • Upgrade locally for boat diving
  • Free in rooms

Ellaidhoo Island Resort | Dive The Maldives

With endlessly blue waters and abundant marine life, the Maldives is a well deserved mecca for scuba divers of all experience levels. North Ari is one of the key diving hot spots in the Maldives and Ellaidhoo is well placed. Experience first hand some of the best scuba diving the Maldives has to offer at an island resort surrounded by vibrant reef. If you just want to escape from the world, you'll love the laid back pace and world class diving from Elliadhoo.

Ellaidhoo's 108 rooms are divided into 4 different categories - land bungalows, superior rooms, beach bungalows and water bungalows. There's a choice for every budget. All have a vibrant island decor to reflect the presence of the sea with air con, mini bar, cable TV, hair dryers, tea and coffee making facilities. The land bungalows open out onto the lush gardens. The rooms are in single storey pairs. The superior rooms are designed with families or small groups in mid, arranged in a 2 storey unit of 4 rooms, all with ocean views. The beach bungalows are the most popular and perfect - these single units have everything you need in the room, and plenty of space as well as ocean views. Or why not treat yourself to a stay in the water bungalows, where you step out of your room straight into the sea!

The house reef is one of the main attractions at Elladhoo, but guests also love the cuisine! Meals are served buffet style in the Madi restaurant, whilst the pool restaurant offers an al la carte option for all. The Malamathi restaurant is exclusively for the use of the water bungalows. And as the day draws to an end, the Iruohsnee bar is the place to head. Share a drink with your fellow divers rIf you want more than a beach holiday, there is beach volleyball, badminton, table tennis, tennis and a small gym. Or take a break and let the spa massage away your stresses and strains. It's no wonder Ellaidhoo remains one of our most popular Maldives resorts.

Water bungalow

Sitting along a semi-circular deck above the Indian Ocean, these white wood and thatched-roof water bungalows are the perfect setting for a magical time on our island. Walk in and let your eyes take in the vibrant, ocean-themed interiors and an inviting outdoor tub. The water bungalow’s private deck is a great way to watch the sun go down. A separate dining area, bar and our excellent infinity pool combine to give you a complete island experience in one go.

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Beach Bungalows

Designed with traditional Maldivian thatched-roofs, these quaint structures are located on the quieter quarter of the island, allowing you to seclude yourself for private time on the island, should you so desire it. Comfortable divans on the balconies and verandahs make for great look-out points too. If not, walk back into the ocean-blue interiors or take a long bath in your outdoor tub.

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Superior rooms

Surprisingly spacious, allowing comfort for up to four at a time, while still providing much needed personal space. These family-style rooms are cozy and vibrantly designed, housing an open-air bathroom and terra cotta floors, offering great views of the ocean.

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Resort map

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All rooms, equipped to the very highest standards, boast a stunning view of the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.

Covid Information for Ellaidhoo Island Resort

The Maldives no longer has any covid protocols or requirements in place

Country Covid Travel Information

View entry requirements here on UK FCDO

A PCR test is no longer required to enter Maldives.

Entry requirements for Maldives are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

All travellers must submit a self-declarative health declaration within 96 hours prior to travel online portal of Maldives Immigration, "Imuga", imuga.immigration.gov.mv.

From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.

It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 8 JUL 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Location

The Maldives is in the Indian Ocean, a 10-14hr flight from the UK, around 370 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. It is made up of 1200 islands, stretching over 500 miles from north to south. The main arrival airport for all flights to the Maldives is Male's airport island (MLE). The Maldives is famous for its great snorkelling, manta cleaning stations, whalesharks, shark dives and fast drift dives through channels. The water remains a constant 27-28 C year round.

Covid Travel Information

View entry requirements here on UK FCDO

A PCR test is no longer required to enter Maldives.

Entry requirements for Maldives are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

All travellers must submit a self-declarative health declaration within 96 hours prior to travel online portal of Maldives Immigration, "Imuga", imuga.immigration.gov.mv.

From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.

It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 8 JUL 2022

Weather and Climate

Whilst there are 2 monsoon seasons (Nov-Apr & May-Oct), the diving remains excellent year round. Diving operators will changes their dive sites in each season to find the best hot spots for the big fish! Traditionally, our summer months tend to be windier with a higher chance of rain, whilst the winter months are flatter. However, the seasons are much less predictable in reality and its a fabulous place to dive whatever time of year!

Travel

Flight options

Our holidays to the Maldives can be quoted with most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a regional UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. If you make your own flight arrangements to Male, please check the transfer arrangements before confirming your flights. Please do not finalise any flight arrangements yourself before your liveaboard space is confirmed as being held.

Stopovers

As most flights are not direct, it is simple to add a stop over en route - simply ask your travel consultant for a quote. Sri Lanka is our most popular, up coming destination - with beautiful beaches, it's a great alternative to staying in the Maldives resorts. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, why not head into the jungle for look for elephants and leopards. Or if you are a culture vulture, we highly recommend a Kandy city tour. The choice is yours! As we are able to book most major airlines to the Maldives, you can also add a stop to break up your flight. Popular locations include Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

Arrange before you go

Regular Entry Requirements

UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here . If transiting via Sri Lanka you must have a visa prior to travel click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in the Maldives, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please turn left from arrivals and go to the information desk at Male airport. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

If your holiday begins in Male you will be met and taken to your boat. The transfer takes around 20mins. Many of our Maldives holidays will include either a domestic flight or seaplane transfer. It takes approx 45mins -1 hour to clear immigration and collect your baggage at Male airport. We endeavour to keep the transit between flights as short as possible and your transfer will normally take place within 3 hours of your international arrival, but please be aware, you may have to wait at the airport between flights. The domestic terminal is right next door to arrivals. This has AC, bathrooms and a small cafe. You will usually be met by a rep, who will assist you in moving between the terminals. The baggage allowance on domestic flights is typically 20kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg. The seaplane check in desk is to your right on exiting the arrivals hall. You will check your bag in here and then be transferred to the seaplane terminal by bus. This has AC, bathrooms, a small cafe and shop. The seaplanes run regularly throughout the day and due to the way the scheduling is organised, the exact time of your seaplane cannot be confirmed prior to arrival in Male. Seaplanes do not run in the dark - the fist seaplane is around 06:00 Male time and ends around 16:00 Male time. The baggage allowance on seaplane flights is typically 20kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg.

Departures

You will be taken back to Male airport in time for your international flight. Domestic flights and seaplanes will arrive in time for you to make your connections. Typically you will arrive at the airport 1 1/2- 2 hours before your flight time. There is currently no departure tax when leaving the Maldives.

Info

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

USD cash is the preferred currency. Credit & debit cards accepted although a surcharge may apply. A 12% local GST applies to all purchases made in the Maldives and will be added to bills locally.

Phone coverage

Typically the Maldives has good mobile phone coverage throughout, although it is not 100 percent - please check with your phone contract provider for data roaming, charges and 3G availability.

Plugs and electricity

Either UK 3 pin or European 2 pin plugs. Please do not leave batteries charging unattended in your rooms.

Extras

Hire equipment

Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally

Extras

Single, 2 tank, whole day, early morning and night dives can all be arranged and paid for in resort

Souvenirs

The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site

Nitrox/Gas

Free nitrox for certified divers

Payments

Deposits and Balances

A typical deposit for a holiday to Ellaidhoo is £400-£600 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.

5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices

Included

A standard resort package includes 2 people sharing 7 nights in a standard garden view room on an all inclusive board basis.
This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the buffet, snacks, a selection of cocktails, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee and water. The all inclusive package does not operate between 00:00 and 07:00. Some drinks/restaurants are excluded from the all inclusive programme.
A return speedboat transfer from Male is included
The mandatory green tax has been included and prepaid in your holiday.

Excluded

Day diving can be booked and paid for on site with the dive centre.

Additional local services such as telephone calls, laundry, smoking services, spa treatments, private lessons, special events and excursions are paid for locally. Local taxes on purchases apply in the Maldives (12% GST).

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK to your holiday. The from price is based on a low season hotel rate - high season surcharges will apply.


The serene calm atmosphere that permeates through Ellaidhoo resort belies the thrilling adventure that waits underwater. Pick Elliadhoo resort for your next Maldives dive holiday and you can dive the reefs and channels of Ari Atoll. The Maldives is a unique marine ecology that delivers quality dives time and time again. Big fish are the most famous inhabitants of these waters. Manta, eagle rays and reef sharks all travel the current swept ridges. Great schools of sweetlips, baracuda and jacks are commonly found, hanging out on the reef edge. The pinnacles and shallow reef tops are ideal for smaller fish and macro life.


Ellaidhoo is perhaps best known for its remarkable house reef that runs around the entire island. This is ideal for divers and non divers alike. Grab your snorkel and float over the scenic reef tops, buzzing with small fish. Turtles here cruise over the reef looking for soft corals to munch on. Or take a tank and splash in for the ultimate Maldivian diving adventure. Dive & Sail are a fully accredited PADI training agency so you can learn to dive here or develop your skills with their team of instructors.


  • Exceptional house reef with unlimited access
  • Easy access from shore with 5 entry points
  • Twice daily boat departures to around 45 dive sites
  • Free nitrox
  • PADI training centre

The house reef is open all hours. This is dive freedom. Set your gear on a tank and away you go. There are 5 clearly marked entry and exit points to make access to the wonderful waterworld even easier. Dive & Sail also depart with the boat twice a day, with 2 morning dives and 2 afternoon dives available each day. There are around 45 dive sites that can be accessed with the boat. Nitrox is also free of charge for all nitrox divers.

Orimas Thila

Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 14m - 30m | Max Depth: 30m

With depths ranging from 14 to 30 metres, you can expect to see soft corals, sea fans, anemones, and clownfish, as well as guitar sharks, barracuda, jack fish, rays and more.

Fish Head

Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 10m - 14m | Max Depth: 30m

Fish Head is a protected marine area and home to large grey reef sharks, tuna, endangered large Napoleons, and schools of barracuda. The landscape boasts some spectacular steep sides with multi-level ledges, overhangs and caves teeming with sea fans, anemones and black corals.

Fesdu Wreck

Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 20m - 30m | Max Depth: 30m

What was once a fishing trawler is now a 30-metre long sanctuary to a mass of marine life on the ocean floor, including moray eels and groupers. Explore the sponge and coral-encrusted nooks and crannies of Fesdu Wreck, and then head over to the underwater island (the thila) for even more wonders. Two dives in one!

Ellaidhoo House Reef Wreck

Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 15m | Max Depth: 30m

A wreck reserved exclusively for guests of Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the Ellaidhoo House Reef is just 25 metres from the beach. It has a row of caves with sea fans, whip corals, schools of bannerfish, Napoleons, stingrays and moray eels. There's even a small wreck that serves as a popular spot for night dives.

Malamathi Bar

Cocktails on a sun lounger by the pool may sound cliché, but there’s a reason why many see it as the ultimate way to chill on vacation.

Madi Restaurant

Our guests love the sand between their toes and overall beach ambiance at this spacious buffet restaurant.

Malamathi Restaurant

Exclusively for guests of the Water Bungalows, Malamathi Restaurant overlooks the infinity pool and the ocean, making it a prime dining spot come sundown