Things to do in Bandos
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Top 10 attractions in Bandos
Hulhumale
Hulhumale is an artificial island formed by land reclamation. The island is adjacent to Velana International Airport and is connected to the airport island by road; it can also be reached from Malé via a cross-sea bridge, making it an urban island with convenient transportation in the Maldives. Construction of the island began in the late 1990s to alleviate population pressure in the capital, Malé, and it has now developed into a planned new city with residential, commercial, and public facilities. The island's coastal area is a popular spot for tourists, where artificial beaches, shallow waters, and near-shore coral reefs create a leisure space. Some areas are suitable for swimming and snorkeling, where you can observe marine life such as tropical fish and stingrays; there are also water sports facilities along the coast, where you can experience activities like kayaking, jet skiing, and kitesurfing. Beyond the beaches, the island also showcases an urban life that differs from traditional resort islands. Planned neighborhoods, green spaces, parks, restaurants, cafes, and accommodation facilities are distributed throughout, offering both everyday scenes of local life and leisure spaces for tourists. Visitors can stroll through the neighborhoods, experience local dining, or enjoy the sunset in the coastal area. Because it is close to the airport, many tourists use this place as a stopover before or after arriving in or departing from the Maldives.Hulhumale · 8.4km from Bandos
Himmafushi
Himmafushi is a community island where local residents have lived for a long time. It can be reached in about 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Unlike resort islands that operate on a one island, one resort basis, it retains its everyday community scenery. The island features mosques, schools, sports fields, and residential homes, while traditional industries like fishing and boat repair continue to this day, showcasing a more authentic side of life in the Maldives. The island has a bikini beach for tourists, where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the sea view in designated areas. The surrounding waters have multiple surf spots, such as Jailbreaks and Sultans, which attract many surfing enthusiasts. During the appropriate season, you can experience local marine sports. Tourists can also participate in activities such as snorkeling, fishing, and dolphin watching to experience the marine environment of the North Male Atoll. The island is small, and you can explore the main areas on foot or by bicycle. The island has homestays and small shops, allowing tourists to slowly experience the community atmosphere and understand the local residents' pace of life during their stay.Himmafushi · 9.9km from Bandos
Hukuru Miskiy
Hukuru Miskiy, also known as the Old Friday Mosque, is a historic religious building in the area. The existing structure was built starting in 1656 and completed in 1658, on a site where a mosque had previously been established in 1153. The entire building is constructed from coral stone sourced from the ocean, showcasing traditional Maldivian coral stone masonry. The mosque's coral stone walls are made of processed stones fitted together, with intricate carvings preserved on the exterior walls, columns, and interior decorations. The interior of the building preserves traditional wood carvings, lacquerware decorations, and carved panels, showcasing the skills of local craftsmen. The blue and white minaret next to the mosque is also built of coral stone, forming an ancient architectural complex together with the surrounding cemetery. The cemetery surrounding the mosque is also of high viewing value, with the shapes and decorations on the coral stone tombstones reflecting traditional Maldivian burial culture. Today, it remains a place of worship for local residents. When visiting, please be mindful of religious etiquette; you should remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall and wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.Hulhumale · 8.2km from Bandos
Furanafushi
Furanafushi is a resort island operated by Sheraton. It can be reached by a speedboat ride of approx. 15 minutes from Velana International Airport in Malé, offering relatively convenient transportation. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and clear lagoons, with coconut groves, white sandy beaches, and seawater complementing each other to form a typical tropical island view. The island offers a variety of accommodation options, including beach cottages hidden in tropical vegetation and overwater villas built over the lagoon, with some room types featuring private pools. Thanks to the surrounding coral reef environment, you can go snorkeling in the near-shore areas; the surrounding waters are also suitable for water experiences such as diving, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing, and you can also participate in boat excursions like sunset cruises and dolphin watching. The island's leisure facilities are well-developed, featuring restaurants, bars, outdoor pools, fitness facilities, and a kids' club, making it suitable for family trips and vacations for couples. The island's wellness facilities are located on a separate islet, where treatment spaces in the garden and yoga areas provide a relaxing experience for guests. In the evening, enjoying the sunset by the sea or having a drink accompanied by music is also a common way to relax on the island.Furanafushi · 6.5km from Bandos
Muliaage (Palace)
Muliaage (Palace) is located in the center of the old town of Malé and is the official residence of the President of the Maldives. The building was constructed in the early 20th century by the then-Sultan for the crown prince, modeled after the colonial-style mansions popular in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and is a rare old Western-style building in Malé. It stands on the street opposite the Old Friday Mosque and the ancient minaret, blending with the surrounding coral stone monuments and standing out remarkably among the city's dense buildings. The pink gently sloping roof, blue and white walls and colonnades, black wrought-iron gates, and wood carvings under the eaves make this a popular photo spot in Malé.Malé · 10.5km from Bandos
Thulhaagiri
Blue Canna Island (Thulhagiri Island Resort), also known as Canna Island, is a luxury island resort. It was renovated and rebuilt in 2010 and built into an exotic island. It takes 30 minutes to get to the island by speedboat. Tall palm trees and white sandy beaches complement each other. Shining blue-green coral reefs surround the island. The island retains the original appearance of a tropical island. The rooms are basically made of bamboo, but it has a natural folk feeling. Blue Canna Island has three good places: one is located at the end of the water house, where is a good place for snorkeling, the sun shines directly on the clear water, and at a glance, you can see a lot of beautiful fish walking under the sea. The second place is located behind the restaurant, a calm blue sea, swaying back and forth with the breeze, is a resort for water sports, many people ride the wind and waves here. The third place is located at the door of each small hut. Since it faces west, the warm sun constantly greets our skin, which is a good place for tanning! At the same time, because the water level is very shallow and the wind and waves are small, it is an outdoor swimming pool for learning snorkeling.Thulhaagiri · 4.7km from Bandos
Lankanfinolhu
Paradise Island Resort & Spa is located in the North Male Atoll, about 9.6 kilometers away from Male, and it takes 20 minutes to get to the island by speedboat. The island has lush trees, colorful flowers, white sandy beaches, and beautiful tropical ocean scenery. The island is very large and is very suitable for tourists who come to the island for the first time. There are many Chinese people on Paradise Island, and Chinese services are provided. Here, there is no language barrier at all. In addition, it is a dream and love for diving enthusiasts and sea anglers.Lankanfinolhu · 7.3km from Bandos
Lankanfushi
All villas on the island (there are no individual rooms here) are built on the sea, the "standard" VillaSuite has three rooms, a sea garden, a sundeck and a bed on the roof where you can lie down and look up at the stars ; Incredibly, Private Reserve is an independent 31 luxury building standing on Disc Lake, which can accommodate nine people and can be reached by boat for a while from the main island. All buildings on the island are built with natural materials, most of the wood is imported from sustainable forests elsewhere in Asia, and all villas are as connected to the outside world as possible (only the bedrooms are air-conditioned, the rest of the rooms are open-air structure). The attention to detail and the luxury under the fabric make it one of the most environmentally conscious resorts in the Maldives. The island itself is also beautiful, with sandy trails crisscrossing the island that visitors can cycle down to the main public area, which has an infinity pool overlooking the beach, a lovely bar and a romantic beach restaurant that serves Delicious and exquisite buffet, of course, the ordering service is equally unforgettable. The island is only a 20-minute speedboat ride from the Maldives capital "Male". It is the first resort in the Maldives built entirely above the water. It combines natural natural materials into the design of local architectural features, and takes advantage of the local seawater landscape to bring tourists the interlaced beauty of coral reefs and seawater, and relax against the backdrop of wooden houses and seawater. Enjoy the sea breeze of nature in body and mind.Lankanfushi · 8km from Bandos
Vabbinfaru
Vabbinfaru Island is a six-star island located in the North Male Atoll, only 18 kilometers away from Male. It only takes about 25 minutes by speedboat from the Male Airport Pier to reach this beautiful island. The island is famous for its tranquility and romance. All houses on the island have private swimming pools and full meals. Although there are only sand houses, the snorkeling environment here is very good. There is also a small tail beach, which is across the sea from the sister island of Ihuru Island next to it. You can go there for free.Vabbinfaru · 8.7km from Bandos
Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi is a small resort island in the North Male Atoll, Maldives. The island covers an area of approx. 6 hectares at low tide, with only over 40 overwater villas and beach rooms on the entire island. Featuring traditional local Thakuru butler service, it follows a small and private concept, which is why it is particularly popular with travelers. Leisure activities here include diving, snorkeling, water sports, and yoga. An on-site marine biologist leads tours to explain marine life, and interested guests can also participate in coral adoption and reef restoration. During the day, you can spend time in the ocean-view gym or the overwater yoga pavilion, while the evening is perfect for waiting for an Indian Ocean sunset on the sunset deck. If you would like to hold a wedding here, both beachside and underwater ceremony settings can be arranged.Huvafen Fushi · 17.3km from Bandos
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Free things to do in Bandos
Hulhumale
Hulhumale · 8.4km from BandosHimmafushi
Himmafushi · 9.9km from BandosHukuru Miskiy
Hulhumale · 8.2km from BandosFuranafushi
Furanafushi · 6.5km from BandosMuliaage (Palace)
Malé · 10.5km from BandosThulhaagiri
Thulhaagiri · 4.7km from BandosLankanfinolhu
Lankanfinolhu · 7.3km from BandosLankanfushi
Lankanfushi · 8km from BandosVabbinfaru
Vabbinfaru · 8.7km from BandosHuvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi · 17.3km from Bandos
What travellers say about Bandos
Dr BP8 May 2023
4.0
For most people this will be their first or last stop in The Maldives, as it is the island on which the airport is located.It is newly reclaimed land and being designed as a kind of "back-up" capital city in case neighboring Male succumbs to rising sea levels. As such, it is a bit of construction site as new hotels, apartments etc are going up all over the place.An okay beach for a quick dip, but gets a bit of floating trash.In any case, it is okay stopover for a night after arriving or before leaving the country.
Hulhumale
乌拉科娃4 January 2023
4.0
The scenery is pleasant, the fun is endless, and the cost-effectiveness is high.
Himmafushi
KR Maka1 February 2023
5.0
Sheraton Maldives is conveniently accessible by plane to Bale Airport and a speedboat picks you up from the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will receive a welcome drink, check in, and then head straight to your accommodation. We chose a beachfront villa with chairs and a private beach.
Furanafushi
一直在路上的猫25 June 2025
4.0
It was originally a palace built by Sultan Shamsuddin III for his son, replacing the old palace in the mid-17th century; after the Sultan and his son were deposed in 1936, it was nationalized and turned into a private residence. During World War II, vegetables were grown in the garden; after Maldives became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1952, it became the presidential residence. The new presidential residence was built in 1994 and is now mostly used as an office.
It is a combination of Islam and modern Western architectural styles. The blue and white style looks pretty good. You can only take pictures at the door, and there are no sentries.
Opposite is the Friday Mosque.
Muliaage (Palace)
梦羽飞扬30 May 2020
5.0
This island is very cost-effective among the many islands in Maldives. It is highly recommended if you come here for the first time. The price is all-inclusive. You can experience the characteristic water house and beach house at the same time. There is unlimited drinking of various beverages. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all self-service. I thought the food would be uncomfortable, but it was actually delicious.
Thulhaagiri
Sahil Nagpal24 June 2023
5.0
It was a mesmerizing experience with Paradise Island Resort & Spa during my stay in December 2021.Beach villa and water villa rooms were awesome.Hotel staff was really good, offered us good discount on scuba diving, snorkeling and other activities. Breakfast and dinner buffet had various varieties from vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes to international cuisine along with mouth watering desserts. Also the island had fire shows, dangerous stunts performed by expert people, Disco night and lot more. During the day time paradise island had aqua yoga for everyone. Overall it was an amazing and fantastic stay with Paradise island🤩❤️. Thank you for hotel management staff for their hospitality and support. I have already recommended to family and friends to stay only at Paradise island resort and spa.
Lankanfinolhu
健康美丽的芳芳16 February 2020
5.0
Gili Lankanfushi Island in the Maldives is the closest place to paradise. The sea water here is extremely blue, and there are water villas here. You can book this water villa in advance and it is very comfortable to stay.
Lankanfushi
栖霞风雨1 March 2020
5.0
Vabbinfaru Island is not far from Male and can be reached by speedboat. It is a hotel under the Banyan Tree. The SPA on the island is very good, the beach is very white and flawless, the sea view is also OK, and snorkeling can be done in Ihuru next door, which is very good and worth recommending.
Vabbinfaru
e贝贝13 September 2019
5.0
Fuvafen Island is so beautiful, the sea water is as pure as a fairy tale world, and there are different views whether it is sunrise or sunset. You must stay in a water house with a good environment and a separate swimming pool. You can swim in the sea by walking down the stairs. There are very beautiful fish underwater. The three meals on the island are all great, and the service attitude is really good. I still have to go there once if I have the chance.
Huvafen Fushi
