Biyadhoo Island Resort

The Island

Located in South Male Atoll, Biyadhoo’s easy laid back vibe is a rare and refreshing treat in the Maldives today. Biyadhoo is blessed with posh tropical vegetation and famed to have the best house reef in the Maldives. For relaxation, there’s a main stretch of beach plus several smaller beaches around the island. DOWNLOAD RESORT MAP

Fringed by a crystalline lagoon and powdery white sandy beaches - there’s no pretence about Biyadhoo if you’re looking for a simple escape at a good value, established resort with a wonderful natural environment, this is it. It’s why many of the guests here return year after year. Apartments and all infrastrcture is dated and the guests don't mind but everything could be more clean than it is. The resort has recently improved many of its facilities, with changes including free Wi-Fi in the lobby and bar area and twice-weekly snorkelling trips, as well as a refreshment of the rooms, reception, restaurant (where there’s also a new chef) and bar.

Location

Biyadhoo Island Resort is located in South Malé Atoll in 30 км from the capital of Maldives. Like most of the islands of Kaafu atoll, the resort uses a speedboats instead of a seaplane, because it is very close to Male. Airport transfer time is approx. 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé airport. On the other hand, you are deprived of fantastic views of the Maldives from a bird's eye view.

Accommodation

All 96 Beach Front Rooms (30 sq.m.) are beach front and set amongst palm trees and tropical vegetation. Inspired by a sense for simple design, the standard rooms provide a laid-back feel on this gem of an island. Rooms are housed in two-storey blocks, just a few steps back from the water’s edge. Room spotless (although a little dated), but if you look at the rates, food, gardens and all over maintenance of the island, then it is not important, as most guests here tend to focus on the outdoors. Each has a balcony or terrace leading to the beach. As many others state, the rooms on the west side is better than on the east side. For those who wants to enjoy the beach along with some snorkelling, west side is recommended. But in the evenings, the second or the third building can get loud from the live programs they conduct in the bar.

An air-conditioning, the rooms are furnished with double or single beds, a sitting area and a writing desk. Other amenities include a mini bar, tea and coffee maker, hair dryer, laundry service and IDD telephone. If you travel with children the resort has a really nice baby cot. An outdoor porch with comfortable seating provides for the perfect spot to relax and take in the fresh ocean breeze. These rooms allow you to enjoy the natural setting of Maldives and escape to the beautiful beach in no time.

Food and Drinks

With a limited time for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Palm is the resort’s air-conditioned restaurant, offering buffets and set menus with international cuisine. The food is simple, but abundant. In the evening, the al fresco Coconut Bar becomes the island’s hub as the place for drinks in a relaxed atmosphere, often with entertainment. The bar is fun and full of people who appreciate only what they came for - swimming, snorkeling, tanning and relaxation. Stay between May and November and you'll get your drinks included, with a free upgrade from Full Board to All Inclusive.

All Inclusive plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant, selected drinks, snacks at Coconut Bar 4-5pm, snorkelling and windsurfing equipment (no tuition), 1 sunset fishing trip.

House Reef Snorkeling

For snorkellers, the fabulous house reef has seven different passages and offers the opportunity to get up-close with reef sharks, rays and turtles. Snorkeling around the island is extremely diverse and interesting, aside of lots of colorful fish (often in schools) we've seen: black morays, eagle rays, turtles, calamari, living shells, lobster, once even found octopus who tried to himself with ink cloud. Reef sharks, either adult and baby, are all over the place, but are not dangerous: few times we even managed to reach them with hands to pet, but that requires some agility.

Night snorkeling is also definitely worth the try: darkness provides different perspective on home reef. At night the flowers on corals open up and different species of fish show up. For example lion fish are pretty rarely seen at daytime, but there were many at night.

DIVING

The diving at Biyadhoo is a real highlight. The Dive Ocean PADI 5 Star is a focal point of the island, set next to the main jetty, and its instructors are incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. Local dive sites include Manta Point (a manta cleaning station between June and November), Hogura Hura (a beautiful calm site, perfect for all abilities) and the thrilling Kandooma Thila (for experienced divers only, due to its strong currents).

Apart from an abundance of sharks, rays, turtles and dolphins, the legendary house reef of Biyadhoo is blessed with 7 different passages and a famous cave where you will encounter rare marine species. READ MORE ABOUT DIVING

Activities and Pampering

The resort's facilities are badminton, volleyball, board games, PADI dive school, watersports including windsurfing and catamaran sailing, themed evenings and live music, Wi-Fi in the lobby and bar area

Overlooking the waters of the Indian Ocean, the Aavun Spa at Biyadhoo offers the concept of home spa facilities, using natural ingredients such as rice, coffee, orange, honey, coconut and herbs and spices combined with traditional Asian body massages.

As for island hopping, there's only like 5 destinations available via speed boat and you can do them in one go: dolphin spot, manta ray spot, local village, sandbank and alternative snorkeling spots. Snorkeling spots are pretty similar to house reef or worse. Sandbank basically is a tiny island with few bushes and some garbage, but clear sand beach all around which is swimmable without snorkeling gear (which is not available on resport itself).

Local village is pretty basic and is not much different from any other non-western village, the only points of interest were huge sting rays in docks and very large yacht being built manually by local engineers.

Dolphin spot is very impressive because there are like 200+ dolphins swimming and jumping into the air with crazy somersaults all over the place, which you can watch either from boat or swim with them in snorkeling gear. Also you can try morning and sunset fishing, BBQ dinner on the beach, and pergola dinner for two.

The exursion to Malé, the capital city of Maldives, is rich with quaint shops, cozy cafes, stylish restaurants and the hustle and bustle of Maldivians living their daily lives. A journey to a nearby inhabited island is experience the local way of life. Explore the serenity of these islands and revel in a community that is inviting and friendly, a way of life that is reflected in every single island.

Biyadhoo's white sand beach is the perfect haven to celebrate your special day with a symbolic ceremony to renew your vows. Celebrate your love with a traditional Maldivian wedding ceremony and revel in memories to be treasured for a lifetime.

Reviews

If you like these aspects and are able to close your eyes to designer luxury, which is now an integral part of many resorts in the Maldives, then you should have no doubt about the excellent value for money offerings at Biyadhoo. Who knows, in the next edition of this guide, the 3-star resort will be featured as the new, unusual, extravagantly luxury resort in the country, and the classic old Biyadhoo will simply disappear. In general, most reviews are positive.

... Paradise, Beach, sea life, green surroundings, sunset, night swimming - spectacular!, Highly recommended, Exceptional, Great stay, very good value all inclusive package, Great place, worth going there!, Superb, Lovely resort, like all of them were in the beginning. Some of the islands are now over developed, Wonderful place with great staff, beach and snorkelling, very good budget resort without luxury but good quality service ,good location, Good for honeymoon, Overall a very pleasant experience, Save fishes&nature of this wonderful island...

Pros: What Guest Love

• Excellent location close to Male airport
• Beautiful laid back island
• Great staff, smiling and helpful.
• Fantastic house reef snorkeling, there are sharks, rays, turtles and colorful reef fish.
• Delicious food selection
• Excellent diving
• Value for money

What You Need to Know

• Find out Special Offers & Packages at Biyadhoo Island Resort
• The resort is located on a private island in South Male Atoll and is 45 minutes by speedboat from Male airport.
• Check-in from 13:00, Check-out before 12:00
• 200$ per person airport transfer sounds a bit overpriced
• All children are welcome.
• The rooms are very dated and need some TLC. Low water pressure in the shower. Lighting in the room really low. Bathrooms definitely requires a revamp, sometimes, it is smelling even.
• Full board does not include drinks during meal times so you have to pay extra for these (apart from breakfast). All Inclusive alcohol drinks are house alcohol
• Limited time for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Lack of real fruit juices (not canned) and espresso style (not instant) coffees in the all-inclusive package.
• Only one beer choice available (carlsberg)
• Most of the sunbeds at the beach need proper (and regular) cleaning and some need maintenance.
• Volleyball pitch has stones and tree roots underneath a thin layer of sand - so watch your toes while playing!
• Wifi is very slow. Consider a local sim card (available in airport)
• This island is for couples who enjoy beach life and quiet time.....if you go with your friends you also have to be sea lovers who like sun and beach life and you have to know how to make a fun party of your own.

Photos

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