ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

Overview

ERI Maldives (formerly known as Eriyadu Resort) combines ocean adventure with island luxury, soft white sand beaches are sheltered by a canopy of vegetation providing welcome shade allowing guests to unwind. With a modest 68 rooms this cosy resort provides modern amenities and Maldivian flare. The house reef encompasses the island and at the west end there's a sheltered lagoon that allows for safe swimming, with reaching ocean views. 

Accommodation

Currently, just two categories of rooms are available; Seaview Sky Rooms and Premium Beach Villas. The Seaview Sky Rooms are located in a two-storey block with panoramic views of the front façade of the entire island. Just minutes away from the main restaurant, bar and pool, they're in a prime location. Take in the reaching views from the cosy, private verandah or balcony. The more spacious Premium Beach Villas are located on the along the beach, amongst the palm trees, a few metres from the water's edge. These feature a private terrace with beach beds and sleek, contemporary interior and semi-open air tropical bathrooms. 

All rooms feature air-conditioning and are styled in a contemporary design and furnished with queen bed (twin bed upon request), satellite TV, mini bar, ceiling fan, hairdryer, telephone, and beach towels. WiFi is free throughout the resort. 

Facilities

Set on the ocean edge is the open-air main restaurant, offering a choice of local and international cuisine, including themed nights and barbecues. Guests can indulge in a private beach dining experience at supplement cost. The main bar is perched above the serene lagoon and spills into the pool area. The beach bar, on the northern side of the island, offers a laid back experience where guests can enjoy a range of beverages with soft white sand underfoot.   

The island offers a range of water sports that includes catamaran sailing and windsurfing. Island activities include volleyball, table tennis and badminton. There's a small spa offering massage and beauty treatments. There's a gift shop on site, WiFi is available free of charge throughout the resort. 

Location

The resort is a 45-minute speedboat transfer from Male, on the northern edge of in North Male Atoll. The island location means that ERI Maldives is well-connected for extensions pre or post liveaboard. 

Dive info

Eriyadu is a perfectly formed divers island, boasting a fine white beach and an excellent house reef that wraps around the entire island. Located on the North West side of North Male atoll, the island is well managed and has a relaxed quiet atmosphere. Conditions on the house reef make the island suitable for both divers and snorkellers.

Located on North Male atoll, Eriyadu offers a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and wonderful diving. A superb beach surrounds the island, which is covered by a canopy of vegetation providing welcome shade. The house reef around Eriyadu is simply breath-taking and offers a wide variety of marine life with over 350 different species of fish. Certified divers can explore the house reef with a dive buddy. The house reef is ideal for all day diving.

Eriyadu Island is very close to some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives making it a diver’s paradise. Divers can discover the beautiful and unique underwater world of the Maldives with a choice of over 46 dive sites in close range to the island. From pelagic fish schools, turtles, sting rays, mantas, grey reef sharks, white tip sharks and all kinds of tropical fish, divers will find everything for the perfect dive. 

House Reef

Eriyadu house reef surrounds the island. The whole reef is accessible via 5 entry points with the majority of the reef formed into a gentle slope falling to 30 metres. Coral formations on the reef are both interesting and varied with the east edge forming a particularly dramatic wall. The reef’s formation makes the island an excellent choice for snorkellers, as a lot of the colour and marine life is easily visible from the surface.

Over the South West monsoon, from June through to the end of October, visibility on Eriyadu’s house reef improves. Various shark and ray species are often encountered on the house reef along side the resident batfish and turtles. The islands dive centre, Euro Divers Maldives allows access to the reef from sunrise to sunset for experienced divers and operates a tank drop off service.

Boat Diving

The Northern end of North Male atoll is quiet with very few islands resorts competing for space on dive sites. There are over 35 boat dives within one hour of the resort. Finger point is an excellent place to encounter large numbers of Grey reef sharks and Eagle rays. The reef also supports schools of jacks and snapper whilst Napoleon wrasses are often sighted.

The majority of the islands' dive sites are located on the Western side of the atoll. As a result Eriyadu enjoys its best diving conditions over the South West Monsoon, (June to October) with wonderful visibility on many dives. During the North East season, (December to April), both Whale sharks and Manta rays are occasionally encountered on dives sites accessible from the island.

For an excellent aerial view of Eriyadu, please see the video below, courtesy of our colleagues at Euro Divers.

Dive prices

Euro Divers

Eurodivers is a well-equipped PADI dive centre that offers a high level of service and range of courses. The gently sloping house reef falls to 30m and has five entry points, with unlimited diving available for advanced divers. Day boats depart twice a day and, owing to Eriyadu's isolated location, sites are generally quiet and undisturbed, with around 40 dives sites within easy range.

A refresher dive is included free of charge for clients pre-booking their diving through Regaldive and repeat Euro Diver clients receive additional dives in resort on presentation of their logbooks. Euro Divers also offer fluo night dives.

The dive centre is equipped with 10 and 11 litre aluminium cylinders that take both DIN and INT fittings. 15l tanks are not currently available. Nitrox fills at 32% are offered FREE of charge to certified Nitrox divers.

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

Dive Packs

Options available include 5 and 10 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 requirements.

For unguided dive packs, divers need to have PADI Open Water or equivalent qualification and logged 40 dives prior to arrival. If divers do not meet this requirement, they will be guided in a group by the dive centre free of charge if an instructor is available.

A private instructor is available upon request to guide inexperienced divers on the house reef, this is payable locally (please see local charges below). 

Boat trips include an instructor to guide inexperienced divers without additional charges. Boat trips are payable locally in addition to your pre-paid dive pack (please see local charges below).  

Dive packs are unguided for consecutive days, from the house reef and include tanks, air or Nitrox if qualified and weights. Limited night dives are also included. Guests can dive up to a maximum of 4 dives per day.

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.

• Boat trip - Single trip: $22
• Boat trip - 2 tank dive: $35
• Boat trip - Full day: $40
• Courses: Certification fee, study manual & log book: $180

Equipment rental, payable in resort (USD) - Rates vary depending on total number of dives:

A full range of equipment is available to rent and is paid locally. Mark, fins and snorkel are complimentary during diving activities. Single item equipment starts from $6 per dive, please contact our helpful team to discuss your full equipment requirement and related costs. 

Local sales tax and resort charges to be paid locally on all extras:

Sales tax: 17%

Service charge: 10%

Resort info

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.

Travel info

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.

Prices

The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing. 

As flight prices vary from day to day, Regaldive will prepare a quotation for you based on current flight prices available. This ensures that you receive the most competitive price for your chosen travel dates. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.

Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.

Our Price Promise

At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.

Offers

Reviews