Ellaidhoo Island

Located in North East Ari Atoll, Ellaidhoo island combines a simple relaxed atmosphere with range of facilities; its sympathetic renovation, high standard of accommodation and brilliant diving will ensure Ellaidhoo remains one of the most sought after diving islands.

Ellaidhoo island combines a simple relaxed atmosphere with range of facilities; its sympathetic renovation, high standard of accommodation and brilliant diving will ensure Ellaidhoo remains one of the most sought after diving islands.

House Reef

There are 5 entry points onto the reef, which encircles the entire island and drops dramatically to around 30 metres. The house reef arguably provides one of the best shore dives in the Maldives along its southern wall. At various points around the reef there are overhangs, caves and cleaning stations. Soft corals cover the drop off, which starts just 3 metres from the surface. At the end of the jetty a small wreck of an inter island cargo ship completes a near perfect house reef. Experienced Divers can enjoy 24 hour access to the house reef and can expect to see both Grey and Black tip sharks, Sting rays, Eagle rays and Turtles, along side a vibrant reef system.

Boat Diving

The boats from Ellaidhoo can access up to 45 different sites. These include some of the Maldives' best known dive sites. Renowned reefs like Maaya Thila and Fishead are easily reached and offer the chance to dive with large numbers of Grey Reef sharks. Himendhoo Thila is a good place to see Manta Rays between December and May.

For wreck divers there are 2 excellent wrecks within easy distance of Ellaidhoo, including the beautiful Fesdu wreck. Dive & Sail on Ellaidhoo organise regular full day boat dives to access the spectacular channel dives on the western side of the atoll.

Dive and Sail Dive Centre

Dive & Sail is a well run, fully equipped dive centre with PADI instructors, recently refurbished and relocated to a more convenient position on the island following an extensive renovation.  Unlimited diving is available to experienced divers on the house reef. Day boats go out at least twice daily, with access to over 40 dive sites. A range of other courses than those listed, third and night dives can be arranged locally.

Dive Packs

Options available include 8, 12 and 18 house reef dive packages, and a 6 days unlimited house reef diving option. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Divers are required to complete a compulsory check dive on arrival. The dive centre can insist that a diver is guided (local charge applicable - see table below) either on the house reef or on the boat, if they determine that a diver is not competent enough to dive in a buddy pair.

For unguided dive packs, divers must have a PADI Open Water or equivalent qualification and 40 logged dives prior to arrival. If divers do not meet this requirement, they will be required to pay for a guide in resort (local charge applicable - see table below).

Use of a dive computer is compulsory. Each diver must have their own computer.

All dive packs are based on air or Nitrox. Nitrox is available FREE of charge for Nitrox qualified divers.

Dive packs are unguided, for consecutive days, from the house reef. Includes air, tanks (or Nitrox, if qualified) and weights.  Night and early morning dives also included.

 Dive Courses

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details. 

 Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.

• Single dive boat trip:  $16
• Boat trip - Full day and early departure: $45  
• Two tank boat trip:  $22
• Private Guide:  Guided house reef $10, Private guided house reef $30, Whale shark full day boat trip $125
• Courses: Certification fees, OWD, AOWD , Rescue course and Nitrox $150

Equipment rental, payable in resort (USD) per dive

• Mask, Fins & Snorkel:  $13 per day
• Mask $5, Fins $5, Snorkel $3 each per day
• Full set 6 days $65
• Wetsuit:  $4 per dive
• BCD: $4  per dive
• Regulators:  $4 per dive
• Underwater torch:  $7 per dive

The dive centre is equipped with 10 and 12 litre aluminium cylinders that take both DIN and INT fittings.

• 15 litre tank: $5 per dive Air or Nitrox

Local sales tax and resort charges to be paid locally:

• Sales tax of 12% applies to all of the above prices.

Getting Around and Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll.  Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male.  This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable.  The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Climate

This tropical climate has 2 monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

Approximately £1 = 26 MVR

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€).  Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply.  Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates.  Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow.

Qatar Airways via Doha.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations departing Sundays and Mondays. We can tailor-make a quote for you.

Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll.  Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male.  This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable.  The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP.  Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.  There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon