Maldives Holidays - Bandos Island
More than a thousand tiny coral islands scattered like glitter in the turquoise Indian Ocean, make up the Republic of the Maldives. These islands are the epitome of an island castaway. Beautiful ice-white sands, coral reefs, and fantastic marine life and diving make the Maldives as beautiful a getaway as you are ever likely to experience.
One of these islands is especially beautiful to me, I have been there several times is Bandos. Bandos is located in North Mal Atoll, the closest atoll to the capital island of Mal and which features some of the other most popular island resorts as well as Bandos. Fly to Male and transfer is by boat and takes approximately 20 minutes. North Mal Atoll is secluded and has a relaxed feel.
Bandos has some of the most excellent dive sites in North Mal Atoll and the Maldives in particular. It is within easy reach of shipwrecks to explore, and is renowned in the diving world for its diverse range of marine life that are common and easy to see here, including white tip sharks, barracuda, and colourful reef fish. Bandos is also blessed with some excellent coral reef surf for the sport watersports enthusiasts amongst you.
Bandos is designated as a 4-star resort and is currently equipped with around 100 standard rooms. These rooms alternate between twin and double bed layout and are nicely furnished with tiled floors and balconies, but you might consider the bathrooms to be on the slightly smaller side. Many of the standard rooms face west and provide good sunsets and are additionally gifted with one of the best sections of beach on the island.
There are 48 Junior suites on the resort which are stylishly decorated with nice color schemes and solid wood four-posters. I was lucky enough to stay in a Junior suite during my stay and in the section in which I stayed in, the beach was almost completely submerged at high tide. I heard a couple of people complain about this but then these rooms do not cost as much as the Water Bungalows so I personally was very happy, but then I love being right next to the water.
The resort has gone out of its way to accommodate families, with a purpose-built childcare facility complete with female staff on hand to look after the children and provide babysitting in the evenings. Some of the rooms in the standard and junior class have an interconnecting door for families split between several rooms.
For couples intending on getting married on Bandos, you will be pleased to know that the resort accommodates you with the “Kuda Bandos Sunset Wedding” which features a taste of traditional island ceremony, a sunset boat ride, unique cultural costumes, Maldivian drums and traditional style and ceremony. The wedding ceremony is held on the beach of one of the uninhabited islands in the atoll - Kuda Bandos - and is followed by a private cruise for the newlyweds on a Dhoni (Maldivian boat).
Jonathan is a travel journalist and travels frequently to the Maldives to report on diving and environmental issues. Read about the Maldives at the Maldives Holidays guide and about the superb diving island resort of Bandos in particular.
Related posts:
- Galapagos Island Cruises Take You To More Places The recomm
- Fun And Excitement On Hurghada Holidays If you are
- How To Find Cheap Holidays To Sardinia That Make The Most Of Your Dollar Traveling
- Take Your Next Vacation as a Hawaii Cruise We're gene
- Blue Skies With Plenty Of Sunshine For A Memorable Wedding It is the