HomeIsland staysNorth Ari AtollEllaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is a four-star resort island in North Ari Atoll, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 2,537 reviews, with diving, fishing, canoeing, an outdoor pool and a spa among the listed facilities. The main trade-off is transfer logistics: the island sits 68 km from Velana and seaplanes fly in daylight only, so a late arrival means a night near the airport first.
- Resort island
- North Ari Atoll
- Ellaidhoo
- 4-star
- 4.8 / 5
- Seaplane
Decide
Who Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon suits
- Stay typeResort island
- AtollNorth Ari Atoll
- IslandEllaidhoo (named in the record)
- Star class4 stars
- Guest score4.8 / 5 (2,537 reviews)
- TransferSeaplane, or a domestic flight and a boat
- From Velanaabout 68 km
- Live sampleBookable on 5 of 5 sampled stays
- Relative price bandUpper
Suits
- Divers drawn by North Ari's thila sites, with diving listed and Maaya Thila about 13 km away
- Families, with family rooms, a playground and a pool listed
- Guests who want an all-in-one resort island where bars and a restaurant are on site
- Travellers who value a strong review record: 4.8 out of 5 from 2,537 reviews
May not suit
- Arrivals after dark, since the seaplane transfer from Velana only operates in daylight
- Guests who want to eat at several different restaurants, as only one restaurant is listed
- Travellers who need a confirmed house reef before booking; the record does not describe one
- Anyone expecting a private beach; no private beach is listed
Live availability
Seen bookable on 5 of 5 sampled dates
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 2 nights: returned
- Mon, 28 Dec 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 25 Jan 2027, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 22 Feb 2027, 1 night: returned
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon came back from the booking search on every one of the 5 sampled stays searched near it, with check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027. Against the other stays the sample returned, its lowest rates sit in the upper band; the site shows no figures, so the booking page gives the rate for your dates.
In the sweep the search returned this stay 30 times across the searches near it. Rates are not shown on this site; the booking card opens them for your dates.
Getting there
Getting to Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
- Usual transferSeaplane, or a domestic flight and a boat
- From Velana airportabout 68 km, straight line
- Nearest domestic airportMaamigili, about 61 km
The usual transfer is a seaplane, or a domestic flight and a boat. Ellaidhoo is 68 km from Velana in a straight line, and the nearest domestic airport is Maamigili at 61 km. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, so an international arrival after dark means a first night near Malé or in Hulhumalé before continuing the next morning.
In North Ari Atoll, some islands are reached by a longer speedboat crossing instead, and crossings can be choppy during the southwest monsoon. Public ferries link islands within the atoll on set days, and some routes connect to Malé, but timetables change. The resort arranges transfers and confirms current arrangements at the time of booking.
More on transfers: getting from Velana to your island and what a seaplane flight is like.
The island
Ellaidhoo: a resort island
Ellaidhoo is a single resort island in North Ari Atoll, 68 km from Velana in a straight line. One island, one property: the resort runs the bars and restaurant, arranges transfers and sets the tone. Alcohol is served on resort islands, swimwear is normal across the island, and there is no village to dress for. The listing does not state whether the island is inhabited or how it is laid out beyond the facilities given.
The nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses are Hangnaameedhoo at 17 km, Omadhoo at 24 km, Himandhoo at 25 km and Ukulhas at 25 km. In North Ari Atoll, local islands ask that shoulders and knees are covered in the village and do not serve alcohol, which makes a resort base a different kind of stay from a guesthouse one. Five resorts lie within 10 km.
Nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses, measured from coordinates: Hangnaameedhoo about 17 km (18 guesthouses listed); Omadhoo about 24 km (18 guesthouses listed); Himandhoo about 25 km (13 guesthouses listed); Ukulhas about 25 km (49 guesthouses listed); Feridhoo about 25 km (11 guesthouses listed). Resort islands within 10 km: 5.
House rules by island type: alcohol, local-island etiquette, resort or local island.
Beach and lagoon
Beach and lagoon at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
- Private beach listedno
- Beachfront listedno
- Beach access listedno
- Water sports listedyes
- Diving listedyes
- Reviews mentioning the beach0
- Reviews mentioning a house reef0
- Reviews mentioning overwater villas2
The record lists a beach nearby and water sports, diving, fishing, canoeing and an outdoor pool, but no private beach, beachfront or beach access is listed, and no house reef is described. Guest reviews do not discuss the beach or lagoon. One review describes being surrounded by shoals of fish and sharks while snorkelling, and another mentions reef sharks seen from a water villa balcony; guest reviews also mention overwater or water villas.
Atoll levelIn North Ari Atoll, the atoll runs north to south with a lagoon, a rim reef and uninhabited islands scattered between the inhabited ones. Atoll-wide, swimwear belongs on designated tourist beaches rather than in village areas.
Sea and reef
The sea and reef around Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
- Maaya Thila · about 13 kmA pinnacle dive in a marine protected area of North Ari Atoll, dived by day and at night.
Maaya Thila is about 13 km away in a straight line, a pinnacle dive inside a marine protected area of North Ari Atoll that is dived by day and at night. Diving is listed at the property, and Maldivian regulations cap recreational diving at 30 metres. Guest reviews mention sharks, and one describes snorkelling straight into shoals of fish, sharks and parrot fish.
In North Ari Atoll, thilas are submerged coral pinnacles that rise from deeper water without breaking the surface, and they are the classic dive sites here, with grey reef sharks and trevally on the current-swept sides. Entries are timed around the tide because currents can be strong. Touching coral, collecting shells and feeding fish are not allowed, and coral and shells cannot be taken out of the country.
Seasons
Seasons in North Ari Atoll
In North Ari Atoll, the northeast monsoon runs roughly December to April and is the drier, calmer half of the year, while the southwest monsoon runs roughly May to November with more wind, passing showers and choppier crossings. Air and sea stay warm all year. Divers and snorkellers get the calmest surface conditions in the December to April window, and the dive limit of 30 metres applies throughout.
Across the atoll, mantas move to cleaning stations during the northeast monsoon, often on western sides, while southwest monsoon plankton and currents can draw larger animals into eastern channels. The surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August. Maaya Thila, about 13 km away, is dived by day and at night and is the named site within reach of this stay.
Month by month: the weather guide and the two monsoons.
Day trips
Day trips and island hopping from here
Excursion types common in the area include house-reef snorkelling, a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk, visiting a local island, kayaking and paddleboarding a lagoon, sunset handline fishing and learning to freedive. The property lists fishing, canoeing, badminton, entertainment activities, a spa and massage, so days can be filled without leaving the island.
In North Ari Atoll, island hopping reaches Hangnaameedhoo at 17 km, Omadhoo at 24 km, Himandhoo at 25 km and Ukulhas at 25 km, all inhabited with guesthouses. Ukulhas, an inhabited island 25 km away, is known for organised waste management and clean beaches, and Thoddoo, a farming island known for fruit, lies just north of the atoll.
Trips like these on this site: house-reef snorkelling, a sandbank afternoon, a dolphin cruise at dusk, visiting a local island, kayak and paddleboard a lagoon, sunset handline fishing, learning to freedive.
Guest reviews
What guests say about the sea and beach
reef and snorkelling
Snorkelling is described as great, with fish, sharks and parrot fish immediately around the island. Another guest watched reef sharks and marine life from a water villa balcony.
“You're immediately surrounded by shoals of fish, sharks, parrot fish.”Jan G.
“Watching the sunset from the balcony while spotting reef sharks and vibrant marine life below was something we’ll never forget.”Gg I.
What guests say about the stay
staff and service
Reviews describe staff as kind, accommodating and attentive, with guests made to feel welcome and rooms serviced daily. One guest notes reception gave outdated information about the property's facilities.
“The staff looked after us very well.”Jan G.
“The staff were incredibly kind and accommodating, always making us feel welcomed.”Gg I.
food
One review calls the food delicious, fresh and varied every day and worth what was paid. Another reports that only one restaurant serves breakfast, contrary to earlier information.
“The food was delicious and truly worth the price we paid — fresh, flavorful, and plenty of variety every day.”Gg I.
“I was informed that the nearest restaurant was exclusive for the Water Bungalows.”Lionel B.
rooms
A third guest expecting a twin water bungalow found a sofa converted into a single bed instead.
“We stayed in a beachfront villa with an incredible sunrise view — waking up to that each morning was magical.”Gg I.
“I was informed that I could have a twin Water Bungalow, they do not do twin Water Bungalow.”Lionel B.
Practical
Practical island life
Free Wi-Fi is listed for this property, along with a restaurant and bars. On a resort island the resort runs every restaurant and bar, so there is no separate village with cafes or shops to walk to. The listing does not detail shop or market options beyond a market being listed among the facilities.
Across the atoll, mobile coverage is good on inhabited islands and patchy at sea, and prepaid SIM cards are sold at Velana International Airport and in Malé and Hulhumalé. On local islands, mobile data is often more reliable than guesthouse Wi-Fi, but this property lists free Wi-Fi. No prices or fees are given here; ask the resort for current costs.
Compare
Against the 3 nearest similar stays
| Stay | Class | Guest score | Transfer | Distance | Live sample | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon (this stay) | 4-star resort island | 4.8 (2,537 reviews) | Seaplane, 68 km | — | 5/5 | Check dates |
| Constance Halaveli | 5-star resort island | 4.9 (536 reviews) | Seaplane, 70 km | 5.0 km away | 4/5 | Check dates |
| Sandies Bathala | 4-star resort island | 4.6 (188 reviews) | Seaplane, 66 km | 7.2 km away | 3/5 | Check dates |
| Kandolhu Maldives | 5-star resort island | 4.9 (187 reviews) | Seaplane, 75 km | 7.5 km away | 5/5 | Check dates |
Facilities listed
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour security
- Air conditioning
- Badminton
- Balcony
- Banquet
- Bars
- Bathrobe
- Beach nearby
- Buffet
- Canoe
- Coffee
- Concierge
- Cot
- Dinner
- Diving
- Dry cleaning service
- Entertainment activities
- Express check in
- Family rooms
- First aid
- Fishing
- Fitness Center
- Free Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Hairdryer
- Housekeeping
- Internet access
- Iron and board
- Laundry Service
- Market
- Massage
- Minibar
- Non smoking rooms
- Outdoor pool
- Patio
- Playground
- Pool bar
- Restaurant
- Safe
- Shuttle service
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Sofa bed
- Spa
- Special diets
- Squash
- Swimming pool
- TV
- Table tennis
- Telephone
- Tennis court
- Terrace
- Toiletries
- Wake-up service
- Water sports
Questions about Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
How do you get to Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon?
The usual transfer is a seaplane, or a domestic flight and a boat. The island is 68 km from Velana in a straight line, and the nearest domestic airport is Maamigili at 61 km. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, so a late arrival needs a night near the airport first.
What are the alcohol, dress and swimwear rules here?
This is a resort island, so alcohol is served and swimwear is normal across the island. There is no village to dress for. In North Ari Atoll, local islands ask for shoulders and knees covered in the village and do not serve alcohol, which applies if you visit one on an excursion.
Is there a beach and a house reef?
A beach nearby is listed, but no private beach, beachfront or beach access is listed, and the record does not describe a house reef. Guest reviews mention snorkelling among fish and sharks and reef sharks seen from a water villa. Treat the house reef as unconfirmed and ask before booking.
What does the listing show about meals at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon?
The facility list for Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon names a restaurant, a bar and special diets. Which meal plans are on sale, from room only to full board or all-inclusive where offered, depends on your dates and shows on the booking page.
When is the best season in North Ari Atoll?
The northeast monsoon, roughly December to April, is the drier, calmer half of the year and the easiest for crossings and surface conditions. The southwest monsoon, roughly May to November, brings more wind and showers. Air and sea stay warm all year, and diving is capped at 30 metres.
Is it better for families or couples?
Family rooms, a playground, a pool and family facilities are listed, and one review points to plenty to do, including excursions, a spa and diving. Couples are not excluded, but the listing does not state an adults-only policy, so expect a mixed resort rather than a couples-only one.
What nearby sea or island experience is within reach?
Maaya Thila is about 13 km away in a straight line, a pinnacle dive in a marine protected area of North Ari Atoll dived by day and at night. Inhabited islands with guesthouses include Hangnaameedhoo at 17 km and Ukulhas at 25 km, the latter known for organised waste management and clean beaches.
Was Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon bookable in the live sample?
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon came back on 5 of the 5 sampled stays searched near it (check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027). Rooms were on sale on every sampled date. Your own dates are checked live on the booking page.
How this page was made: bookability comes from a live sweep of the IMPT booking search on 5 sample stays; facilities, photos and reviews from the IMPT hotel database; distances from coordinates; sea, season and island context from this site's own pages. The written sections were drafted by an AI model from this record only and checked against it.
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