In September 2001 we took a group of almost 50 to Bandos. A beautiful coral island with a total land area of 178,900 square metres, covered with lush tropical vegetation, numerous palm trees, surrounded by a wide sandy beach and the crystal clear waters of an azure lagoon. The island owns one of the best house reefs, just 40 - 60 metres away from the beach.

Bandos is located in North Malé Atoll, about 7 kilometres from Malé International Airport and the capital Malé. Transfer between the airport and the resort takes only 20 minutes by speedboat and 45 minutes by dhoni (a local mechanised boat).

Opened on 10 December 1972 as the second tourist resort in the Maldives, Bandos has since grown to become one of the most popular and hospitable resorts in the country. In the 28 years of its existence Bandos has perfected its role of the “welcoming host” and can cater to every mood. The 470 staff on Bandos were dedicated to making our stay as comfortable and special as possible. On Bandos, there was no time to get bored. The natural splendour is complemented by the modern amenities of the resort, which ensured that our stay was both comfortable and memorable.

Photography by Mike from Divemaster Scuba