We decided to head to the Maldives in November when our little one was just 8 months old. When traveling with an infant, two things were key for us: finding an affordable island (for the Maldives, anyway!) and minimizing transfer time. Bandos was perfect—just a short, sweet boat ride from Male after our long flight.

The Travel & Arrival Logistics

The long overnight flight itself went smoothly as our son slept the entire way on me. We’d booked a bassinet seat, but the constant “fasten seatbelt” signs meant I had to keep taking him out. In the end, it was easier and more restful for both of us for him to stay put.

Once we landed in Male, the short boat ride to Bandos was quick and easy. We were whisked away to our Beach Bungalow on a golf buggy. The room was perfectly spacious for an infant setup: a large main bed, a separate lounge area, a huge bathroom, and a lovely outdoor seating area. Our location meant we looked straight out onto the sea—instant bliss!

All-Inclusive, Dining, and Island Life

We were on the all-inclusive plan, which simplified everything. The buffet restaurant was lovely, allowing you to sit with your feet in the sand (though it could get a bit hot since it’s all outdoors!). We were lucky with the weather, having great sun while chatting with other guests who sadly experienced a week of rain.

The staff were truly wonderful; they were so attentive to kids, often greeting us with a high chair, plastic plates, and cups as soon as we walked into the restaurant.

• Dinner with Baby: We did notice there wasn’t a dedicated venue open for early infant dinner times. However, we found a great hack: one of the bars offered free kids’ food (like pasta or chips) while we had a drink, which was an ideal early solution. We also learned a quick lesson about packing: we made the error of bringing his thick sleeping bag, which was definitely too hot for the Maldivian evenings! We had to abandon that, but we successfully managed to bring him along for later dinner, asleep in his pram.

Pool, Relaxation, and Sundowners

The pool setup was ideal for a baby holiday. There was a dedicated small children’s pool on one side of the pool bar, complete with a fountain our little one loved.

Our days followed a relaxing routine: we’d spend time at the pool, enjoy snorkeling off the beach, and sit outside our bungalow reading while our son took his naps. The water clarity was absolutely stunning; I’ve never seen anything like it. While just walking in the sea, ray sharks would swim right next to you , which was incredible. One of the holiday highlights was heading to the sea-view bars for sundowners. We loved watching the rays and sharks glide by just off the shore as dusk set in.

It was a deeply relaxing holiday. The fact that our 8-month-old slept through the long overnight flight out made the trip manageable. The daytime flight home required a bit more entertainment, but with successful naps, we survived!

Final Verdict

Bandos was a great, affordable entry point into the Maldives for us. While it is certainly a pricy destination overall, the service and setup were perfect for our family with an infant. We would definitely go back to the Maldives when our children are older to take advantage of more activities and dive sites.