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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Resorts · Vaavu Atoll

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

A 90-villa Sri Lankan-operated all-inclusive resort on Aarah island in Vaavu Atoll. Opened 2019 (rebuilt from earlier Velifushi resort), with a strong house reef and access to Vaavu's diving channels.

The MT Verdict

A capable, well-priced Vaavu resort run by Sri Lanka's Cinnamon group. Diving the local channels is the draw; the all-inclusive plan keeps costs predictable.

Atoll
Vaavu Atoll
Villas
90
Opened
2019
Transfer
25 min seaplane
Dive Grade
World-class
From
$$$

The Villas

Cinnamon Velifushi runs 90 villas on Aarah island — Beach Bungalows, Beach Suites, Beach Pool Suites, and overwater categories ranging from Water Suites to Two-Bedroom Family Water Pool Suites. The architecture is timber-and-thatch.

Dining

The line-up runs five restaurants and bars, including the all-day Reef Café (international), Inthe (Sri Lankan), the over-water seafood Atoll Bay, and the lounge bars. The resort runs an all-inclusive plan that bundles dining and drinks.

Diving

Vaavu Atoll is famous among divers for its long channel dives — Fotteyo Kandu in particular — and night reef-shark encounters. Cinnamon Velifushi has an in-house dive centre that runs the typical Vaavu programme.

Logistics

Transfer is a 25-minute seaplane from Velana International Airport, or a 75-minute speedboat. The resort is operated by Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (John Keells Holdings).