I enjoy Diving and Windsurfing. Please look at my reviews and rate them. Thanks to all who have help...
I enjoy Diving and Windsurfing. Please look at my reviews and rate them. Thanks to all who have helped me get my green dot now for the blue and look out for pictures now i can post them Ian
Member since:21.01.2006
Reviews:12
Members who trust:1
This review is based purely on our holiday to Komandoo in February 2006 There are many different islands offering many different holidays. For a impartial view on all holidays I suggest you buy RESORTS oF THE MALDIVES by Adrian Neville
Tour Operator Hayes and Jarvis Price £1650 Each 14 days Feb 2006 Room Upgrade to Jacuzzi Villa £300 Each but we got it for free!!!
Flight Operator First Choice Airlines Star Class (cattle class to you and me) Upgrade to Premium Star Class is about £295 Flight FCA046 Outbound FCA047 Inbound but these have since changed Flight time Outbound 10.5 to 11hours Inbound 12 to 12.5 hours Flight type Direct nonstop Airport UK London Gatwick LGW Airport Maldives Male MLE
Currency Maldivian Rufiyaa but US Dollars and Major Credit Cards accepted. Our advise is take dollars for tips Roomboys, waiter bar staff and beach boys etc and use credit card to settle bill and at the airport as you get the international exchange rate which will be better than the £/$ exchange rate on the day
Island Komandoo is a small island to the North-west of the capital Male on the Lhaviyani atoll Approximately 45 minutes seaplane and a 5 to 10 minute boat ride to the island from the airport There are now 65 rooms on the island including the newly built later 2005 Water Bungalows There are 3 room grades Beach Villa Jacuzzi Beach Villa Water Bunglow The inner path ways are lined with vegetation bushes flowers and trees, they are execptionally well maintained and very attractive to look at. The beach for the majority is soft sand and the no shoes rule goes here only by the water bungalows are shoe reuired if you are walking
aound the island The staff are well trained and efficient, surprisingly this is the 1st island we have seen womn on the island apart from the spa girls and dive centre, maybe this was due to the previous female manager.
Accomodation: We stayed in the upgraded Jacuzzi Beach Villa. The rooms are made out of wood with a tiled roof, they look a bit like a swedish log cabin and the resembleance does not stop there are they are very minimalistic inside, There is a dressing table with large mirror, a wooden wardrobe which contains the safe and minibar, kettle with tea and coffee making facilities a couple of chairs, a wrought iron 4 poster Kingsize bed and a couple of glass topped bedside tables with a shelf below. The bathrooms have his and hers sinks a large mirror toilet shaver point and shower this is common with all room grades then our Jacuzzi villa has a large slouch area with raised kingsize bed and the jacuzzi bath all set in a covered area and tropical garden.
Food and Drink: The Island has many different board basis depending on the nationality of the guests. For the British guests the board basis is All Inclusive. There were guests from Switzerland and Germany who were on half or full boad basis. I would like to point out that although this was an all inclusive holiday that this only ment one 1.5 liitre bottle of water per room per day, any others had to be purchased at a cost of $2.50 but you got 50% discount for being all inclusive.Try drinking soft drinks in the day if you run out of wter as they are free on A/I The food was varied and of a high quality everyday although it was not as varied as some of the larger resorts. Each evening there were 2 or 3 chefs cooking meals to order from the specials board. There was enough variety to keep us happy for 2 weeks. There were no set tables meaning you could sit anywhere and your waiter found you. In the mornings and evening you are able to sit outside to eat and if you timed in right you can sit right at the edge of the deck and see the fish and look out over the sea to the distant islands. You are not able to sit outside at lunchtime as the deck got too hot and was a real suntrap The bar was quiet and there was little entertainment. Again all inclusive guests could drink local brands of drinks for free but watch out as international brands are not included also the Bloody Mary is not included but have a Vodka and tomato juice and it is on the all inclusive. Prices for non included items are reasonabe until you get into wine and champagne On the whole the bar staff were good and attentive Silva is the main man in the bar
Activities: -Trips Since we go on holiday to get away from our busy lives we love the smaller islands, but there is enough to keep me occupied There are various activities to join in if you wish. There are surprisingly a large amount of trips offered by such a small island and the participation is high There is island hopping and secluded island game fishing and a dolphin watch cruise some are free others you have to pay for but there is a large board in the Main reception area displaying all the trips and if you want something different just ask. -Diving There is a very good dive centre on Komandoo run by Prodivers who have 3 sites in the maldives as of feb 2006 they are Komandoo - Kuredu - Vakarufalhi I passed my Nitrox 1 and 2 course and it was about £150 including the dives which is about the same as th U.K, in the maldives they are very big on diving Nitrox so it is worth taking your nitrox course before you travel or when you get there One con is the orientation dive which you must take before you dive anywhere else and you have to pay for it. The dive centre offers 2 dives a day on the boat with the downside being you dont know until the last minute where it is going to be so this stopped me diving as much as i wanted You get discount after year one when you use prodivers!!! -Watersports The dive centre operates the watersports centre too. there are Windsurfers from beginner to intermediate and you can windsurf in the lagoon at high tide at low tide you really need to go into the open ocean as the lagoon is too shallow. getting out to the ocean is a bit difficult as it takes a good sailor to negotiate the coral without clipping it There are also canoes and kayacks to use aswell
Beauty Spa The Duniye spa is situated at the far end of the island between the bar and restaurant. There are many lotions potions and treatments on offer. My partner had a course of 3 full body massages and she was totally relaxed afterwards. Makesure you dont miss an appointment as you will be charged if you dont turn up
Sea Life: The fish are varied and the snorkelling is average on Komandoo The best areas are infront of the watersports centre. There are cutouts around the island with marker poles to show the entry/exit point to the reef edge so you dont get stuck on the coral and damage it Please be aware there is a very strong current traveling length ways along the island and you should not attempt to snorkel alone or without flippers/fins. Unfortunately whilst on holiday in Feb 2006 someone died on another island as a result of swimming on the reef edge with no fins and alone, they got carried of into the sea and drowned I know its a little bit morbid but never underestimate the power of the sea
Weather: There are 2 distinct monsoons North-East December to April and South-West May to November the latter has the wetter windy weather Temperature usually 26-30 'c Suncream should always be worn even on a cloudy day The best months are January to March giving the least rainfall We had no rainy days in February 2006
Airport and Duty Free Male International airport is a small airport built in the sea just off the main island Male It has a few shops The Last time we went Feb 2006 200 Cigerettes were about $18.00 but there are multibuys but no Malbro Lights. Rolling Tabacco $16.50 for 5 x 50gm these prices were up on feb 2005 and nov 2002-03. I think they are cottoning on to the prices The Spirits are cheap and usually these is an offer on Gordons GinSmirnoff Vodka and Teachers Wiskey buy 2 get 1 free works out abour £6.50 per litre with the free bottle a perfume shop but small and not always got what you want so try gatwick instead on outbound flight to save disappointment There is a watch shop where you can buy Rado, Gucci etc at good prices I got a watch worth £1400 in the UK for £850 you need to haggle hard and keep to your guns Siffani Jewelery Shop which has ties in Sri Lanka are good but the guys do a hard sell There is a snacky shop crisps drinks etc A book shop selling books amd posters on the maldives An electrical shop selling diving watches/computers, dvd players There is also a cafe if you feel peckish before your flight and a shop selling belts ties a bit like tierack
Website www.komandoo.com has all the info on the island and there is a guest book to so you can ready what a fabulous island Komandoo really is
Look Out For Be sure to look out for my reviews of Paradise Island, Lily Beach, Meedhuparu and Vakarufalhi all coming soon the last will be Vakaru as we are off there soon
Note i have tried to keep the information impartial and as correct as possible
Went to the Maldives in 2004 when I was pregnant it was very relaxing loved it. Just a long flight.
aestro 05.01.2007 17:16
This is a brilliant improvement! Well deserving of a VH! xxx
n13roy 02.01.2007 00:36
Really well written and informative review there indeed, I personally have had crap service from Hayes and Jarvis, more that once, but it seems they were fine for you.......Roy.....
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