Biyadhoo Island
We arrived late morning and were very lucky to be given our room before check in time of 2pm so we were able to refresh ourselves and go straight to the beach.
It was so nice that as soon as we went to the restaurant and bars the staff remembered us from our previous trips and gave us a very warm welcome.
The island is sold as being very basic but that's reflected in what you pay for it. The rooms are basic but spacious and clean and you step out onto the powder white sand and a few more paces to the beautiful Indian Ocean which was really hot this time at 30 degrees (it really was like a bath).
We requested room 89 again which the manager kindly gave us as it’s a great location for us and on the ground floor.
The restaurant is basic but good quality food. There is always a choice of salads, a couple of meat and fish dishes, curry, a couple of vegetable and potato dishes. Quite a range of desserts and a small choice of fresh fruit. You are allocated your table for the duration of your holiday for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the same waiter. You can order the range of drinks on offer at the bar which the waiter will get for you. We were all-inclusive which is well worth it as it can be expensive to pay for drinks whilst you are there, and most people opt for all inclusive. We got the complimentary upgrade from full board which is offered a few times a year which was a big saving. Please ask me for details.
The coconut bar is the only bar and as part of the all-inclusive there is a choice of about 8 cocktails (Pina Colada was my favourite and seemed popular with everyone), local spirits with mixers, all soft drinks by the glass or can and beer and wine. The minibar drinks are not included but you can get cans of drinks and bottles of water from the bar and put them in your mini bar. Between 4 and 5 in the evening you can get sandwiches as part of the all-inclusive offer.
The dive school is superb and again we did some of the best diving we have done in the 20 years we have dived. We got to dive with sharks, Eagle rays, turtles and lots of your usual reef fish. We were just a bit too early for the Manta Rays which would have been amazing. Some of the diving can be challenging as there are some strong currents but you are always guided, and they are so professional and friendly. The dive school caters for all levels and the house reef is also great for diving and snorkelling. If you walk out from near the bar where the sea grass is, you can often snorkel with turtles.
Entertainment in the evenings is pretty non-existent. They have a cultural sing and dance for about an hour one evening and then a disco one night but that's about it so it’s all about meeting people and making new friends in the bar of an evening, with a few cocktails. We liked to star gaze every night as the sky is so clear.
We went mid-May and had the most perfect weather we have had in the Maldives as often people worry about the weather as its temperamental all year round as its tropical. It was perfect with about 10 mins of rain the whole time we were there.
It really is a paradise island on a budget so no frills apart from the beauty of the islands itself which to be perfectly honest is enough for me as it’s just amazing! We will definitely return to our beautiful island as we were so sad to leave. It gets a lot of repeat guests, so I think that tells you something about the island. People aren't expecting much when they arrive as its Maldives on a budget but are pleasantly surprised by its natural beauty, its amazingly friendly staff and are already planning to return before they have left. We have made some great friends on our recent visits.
Starting to think about our return visit again already as we are missing it so much!