Bandos resort was one of the first resort islands in the Maldives and enjoys a great location, only a 15 minute speedboat transfer from Male airport. It's a great choice for a night or two before or after your liveaboard holiday, in the heart of Male atoll. Bandos is an well loved resort with several room grades to suit all budgets. And within minutes of landing you can be docking at an island resort packed with facilities and amenities. While away the hours in the bright Maldivian sun - be it for a night or two or a full longer stay.
There are 215 rooms in total, all with air con, free wifi, mini bar, TV, safe, tea and coffee. The standard rooms have a shower and veranda, whilst the deluxe rooms are larger with a bath and living area. Due to their location and more recent renovation, we recommend the semi-detached deluxe rooms as an affordable upgrade to the standard option. If you prefer to be close to the pool and dive centre, the garden villas are a great choice. The jacuzzi beach villas are more private and a best suited to couples. They are modern and stylish with a king size bed on a mezzanine, separate living area and private Jacuzzi bathroom. For the ultimate Maldivian experience, opt for the Water Villas. Your villa sits right on the edge of the stunning blue waters with private sea access and sun deck. These are fresh, stylish with a 4 poster king bed, jacuzzi bath overlooking the sea and living area.
Bandos offers a range of meal plans, from B&B to all inclusive options, so don't forget to ask your travel consultant at the time of booking! There are 3 restaurants to chose from - the Sea Breeze cafe serves a wide ranges of snacks and meals 24 hours. The Gallery is the main buffet style restaurant. Or try the Koon Thai restaurant in the evenings. There are 4 bars spread throughout the resort for refreshing drinks and cocktails. Peel yourself away from the white beeches and try your hand at tennis, windsurfing, wakeboards or canoes, work up a sweat in the ultra modern gym or spoil yourself at the Orchid spa. Baby sitting services are available but must be booked and paid for locally. Bandos is a relaxed home away from home for everyone!
The water villas provide access to the ocean from the fully private and spacious sun deck and breath-taking views over the water, crystal blue lagoon, pure white beach and the spectacular sunsets. Facilities include Bathtub, Air conditioning, Direct-dial phone, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Daily housekeeping, Private sundeck, Hair dryer, Makeup / shaving mirror, Shower / tub combination, Satellite TV service, Electronic / magnetic keys
Traditional thatched roofs and separate living and sleeping areas. Your balcony provides a stunning beach view or you can relax in seclusion in your own open-air Jacuzzi with thatched roof shade. Jacuzzi Beach Villas include an open air bathroom - facilities include Bathtub, Air conditioning, Direct-dial phone, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Daily housekeeping, Open air bathroom, Hair dryer, Makeup / shaving mirror, Shower / tub combination, Satellite TV service, Electronic / magnetic keys
Wooden chalet living with an outdoor deck - facilities include bathtub, Air conditioning, Direct-dial phone, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Daily housekeeping, Inter-connecting rooms, Hair dryer, Makeup / shaving mirror, Shower / tub combination, Satellite TV service, Electronic / magnetic keys
53sm - light and airy rooms provide a prestigious window to the enviable views beyond. The large four-poster beds, generous bathrooms. Facilities include Bathtub, Air conditioning, Direct-dial phone, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Daily housekeeping, Inter-connecting rooms, Hair dryer, Makeup / shaving mirror, Shower / tub combination, Satellite TV service, Electronic / magnetic keys
The Maldives is in the Indian Ocean, a 10-14hr flight from the UK, around 370 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. It is made up of 1200 islands, stretching over 500 miles from north to south. The main arrival airport for all flights to the Maldives is Male's airport island (MLE). The Maldives is famous for its great snorkelling, manta cleaning stations, whalesharks, shark dives and fast drift dives through channels. The water remains a constant 27-28 C year round.
Whilst there are 2 monsoon seasons (Nov-Apr & May-Oct), the diving remains excellent year round. Diving operators will changes their dive sites in each season to find the best hot spots for the big fish! Traditionally, our summer months tend to be windier with a higher chance of rain, whilst the winter months are flatter. However, the seasons are much less predictable in reality and its a fabulous place to dive whatever time of year!
Our holidays to the Maldives can be quoted with most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a regional UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. If you make your own flight arrangements to Male, please check the transfer arrangements before confirming your flights. Please do not finalise any flight arrangements yourself before your liveaboard space is confirmed as being held.
As most flights are not direct, it is simple to add a stop over en route - simply ask your travel consultant for a quote. Sri Lanka is our most popular, up coming destination - with beautiful beaches, it's a great alternative to staying in the Maldives resorts. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, why not head into the jungle for look for elephants and leopards. Or if you are a culture vulture, we highly recommend a Kandy city tour. The choice is yours! As we are able to book most major airlines to the Maldives, you can also add a stop to break up your flight. Popular locations include Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here
On arrival in the Maldives, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please turn left from arrivals and go to the information desk at Male airport. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
If your holiday begins in Male you will be met and taken to your boat. The transfer takes around 20mins. Many of our Maldives holidays will include either a domestic flight or seaplane transfer. It takes approx 45mins -1 hour to clear immigration and collect your baggage at Male airport. We endeavour to keep the transit between flights as short as possible and your transfer will normally take place within 3 hours of your international arrival, but please be aware, you may have to wait at the airport between flights. The domestic terminal is right next door to arrivals. This has AC, bathrooms and a small cafe. You will usually be met by a rep, who will assist you in moving between the terminals. The baggage allowance on domestic flights is typically 25kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg. The seaplane check in desk is to your right on exiting the arrivals hall. You will check your bag in here and then be transfered to the seaplane terminal by bus. This has AC, bathrooms, a small cafe and shop. The seaplanes run regularly throughout the day and due to the way the scheduling is organised, the exact time of your seaplane cannot be confirmed prior to arrival in Male. Seaplanes do not run in the dark - the fist seaplane is around 06:00 Male time and ends around 16:00 Male time. The baggage allowance on seaplane flights is typically 25kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg.
You will be taken back to Male airport in time for your international flight. Domestic flights and seaplanes will arrive in time for you to make your connections. Typically you will arrive at the airport 1 1/2- 2 hours before your flight time. There is currently no departure tax when leaving the Maldives.
International flights and transfers, accommodation and breakfast. You can upgrade to the optional all inclusive programme, which includes selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage, plus water, soft drinks, beer, coffee, tea, iced coffee and iced tea from your mini bar, one sunset cruise, one half hour group lesson for snorkelling, use of the fitness centre, volleyball and badminton courts, table tennis, kayaks and windsurfers (max 2hrs per person per day). Please refer to your booking confirmation for details on any prebooked diving services.
Local taxes on purchases apply in the Maldives (12% GST). The all inclusive package plus excludes room service, mini bar, additional meals or drinks outside of your meal plan - the a la carte restaurants and premium drinks are excluded from the all inclusive programme. Additional local services such as spa, baby sitting, telephone calls, laundry, private lessons, special events and excursions are paid for locally.
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
USD are the preferred currency. Credit & debit cards accepted although a surcharge may apply.
Typically the Maldives has good mobile phone coverage throughout, although it is not 100 percent
Either UK 3 pin or European 2 pin plugs
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally - approx $30/dive
A full range of courses, boat trip upgrades ($18 per dive) and excursions can be booked in resort with Dive Bandos
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
Free nitrox for certified divers
A typical deposit for a holiday to Bandos is £400-£600 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).
We charge 2% on credit card transactions but nothing on UK debit card payments. All non sterling card payments will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
The Maldives is a magical scuba diving destination with a well deserved reputation. This is the place to head for if you are looking for an sundrenched holiday with serious style. Diving in the Maldives is all about the fast drifts and massive rays that patrol the channels between each atoll spit. Be it manta, eagle ray or even grey reef sharks, there is big fish action a plenty, all easily located from the glistening white shores of Bandos resort. And with great schools of snapper, barracuda or goat fish, the reef diving is vibrant and always rewarding. Clownfish in their hundreds hide in multi coloured anemones while porcelain crabs filter food in the current. Simply overflowing with marine life everywhere you look, the diving around Bandos in North Male atoll will leave you breathless.
Dive Bandos depart each day for boat dives on one of their 4 custom built dhonis (traditional Maldivian boat). There are over 40 different sites to explore including the Victory Wreck Lion's Head or Lankan Manta Point. If you don't fancy a boat ride, no problem - why not head out for a shore dive on the house reef? Dive Bandos take your safety seriously at all times and the island boasts one of the Maldives' hyperbaric chambers on site. Underwater or above it, let Dive Bandos make your every moment in the Maldives a dream come true.
Dive Bandos pride themselves on being one of the premier dive centres in the Maldives. They have been diving this area for more years than most and have a huge wealth of experience to ensure your diving schedule not only exhilarates, but also suits your experience level. Drift diving is generally recommended for advanced divers plus but the sheltered reefs and lagoons in North Male are equally suited to new divers or anyone taking their first breath underwater. The dive centre is located in the resort and has modern classrooms for all teaching activities as well as a highly trained professional dive team to assist you every step of the way. Bandos is also one of the few islands to boast a hyperbaric chamber on site. So take the plunge and make sure you visit Bandos on your next trip to the Maldives.
If you pre-book your diving as part of a holiday package with Scuba Travel you can take advantage of our special rates and make considerable savings on your dive package or dive course atBandos Island Dive Resort.
These prices are subject to change and you will be advised of the exact cost at the time of booking.
Bandos Island Dive Resort is a perfect setting for that romantic getaway and to discover the unique underwater world that the Maldives are famous for. Dive with Mantas , Whalesharks and book your next adventure with the diving Holiday experts.
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