Bandos Maldives: independent resort planning profile

Bandos is one of the oldest resort islands in the Maldives and still one of the closest to the airport. This page is part of our resort directory.

For room-by-room detail and meal plan questions, see Bandos villa types, meals and transfers.

What kind of resort is Bandos?

It is a big, busy, full-service resort rather than a boutique villa island. The official site lists 220 rooms, four restaurants, three bars, a spa that dates back to 1972 and a dive centre it calls the longest running in the country.

That size brings choice: eight room categories, buffets, activities and a Kids Club. It also means more guests on the beach and around the pool than at a 50-villa island.

How does the transfer work?

Transfer is by speedboat. The resort sits 7 km from Velana International Airport, and the official site describes it as about ten minutes away.

The FAQ says boats are shared and scheduled around international arrivals and departures. A representative meets you in the arrival hall, and the fallback meeting point is Counter 2 in Zone A.

No seaplane is involved, so weather and daylight rarely decide your arrival day. Read how Maldives airport transfers work for the arrival hall process.

Is Bandos good for families?

Yes, it is one of the stronger family picks close to Male. The FAQ welcomes children of all ages, runs daily Kids Club programmes for ages 3 to 11, and offers babysitting on request for a fee.

The main limit is overwater rooms. Agents report that under-12s are not accepted in water villas, though the official site does not say so. Families should plan on beach categories.

Is the diving and snorkelling good?

Bandos is a diver's resort first. The official site describes access to more than 40 dive sites, an award-winning dive centre and a hyperbaric chamber on the island.

The house reef is promoted on the official site, but entry points and current are not described. Ask the dive centre where beginners and children should enter.

How do meals work at Bandos?

Meals centre on the Gallery buffet restaurant, per the official FAQ. Breakfast has live egg, waffle and pancake stations, and lunch and dinner add carvery, pasta stations and theme nights.

The All Inclusive plan adds selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at the restaurants and bars, plus a minibar refilled once a day. Muslim families who skip alcohol may get better value from a meal plan without drinks, so compare both quotes.

The other restaurants are not all covered by every plan. Ask which outlets your plan includes before you arrive.

When is a different resort a better choice?

Bandos is a practical, well-equipped island, not a showpiece. Travellers chasing overwater villas for young children, a very small island or a design-led luxury stay should look further.

For a pool villa island with fewer guests, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is a short boat ride away. For a lower total cost, a local island guesthouse with day trips can halve the budget, as our Maldives trip cost guide shows.

Is Bandos right for your trip?

Use this as a quick decision rule.

Couples wanting seclusion may prefer Baros nearby, which does not accept young children.

What should you ask before booking?

• Which of the eight room categories is confirmed, and does it suit your children's ages?
• Is the transfer included, and which boat meets your flight?
• Is your plan Full Board or All Inclusive, and which drinks are covered?
• Are Kids Club sessions or activities charged?
• Which dishes are halal, and can meals be prepared separately?
• Is the price before or after 10% service charge, 17% Tourism GST and USD 12 Green Tax per guest per night?

Those taxes add about 28.7% to a pre-tax room rate before Green Tax. Run your quote through the trip cost calculator to see the full ringgit figure.