You only have to pay a small entrance fee to Kuda Bandos and in return you get to use the island facilities like toilets, shower, bbq tables and picnic space for free.
participate in the Boduberu (local drum dance). The ambience would definitely be loud as picnickers let go of their usual organized lifestyles. On arrival the first instinct would be locating a good spot on the island, spreading everything around and then plan the breakfast - local flavours of course. Some groups bring readymade breakfast while others take up the task of preparing food the minute they find their spot. Soon after breakfast, activities begin. There is no age barrier and everyone from children to adults will take part. Dodge ball is the most popular game because the young and the old can take part and enjoy this game. It is a trademark of Maldivian picnics. The game is about eliminating members of the opposite group by hitting them with a ball. Two groups are formed, taking positions either within or outside a rectangle drawn on the ground. Those who stay outside will try to eliminate the team inside by throwing the ball at them. The ball touching anywhere on the body would mean the person has to come out of the rectangle, unless it is caught, in which case, it’s a point gained. This gives a chance to the team inside, to re-introduce their eliminated member. Once the last person is eliminated, the teams change sides.
“The boat ride to the picnic island itself is filled with fun.. Between breakfast and lunch, the time would be filled with activities and games. After a round of dodge ball, there would be either soccer or volleyball where women also take
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part. The round of games will be wrapped up just before lunch when it’s time to get busy with lunch preparations. Often women will be in charge of lunch, but not necessarily. Very often, men also take part in preparing the meals. A quick dip in the sea precedes the lunch to cool off. Nothing less than an elaborate meal, “Masbaiy” (literally “Fish rice”) takes up the main menu during lunch. Masbaiy is a must with Maldivian picnics, a Maldivian equivalent of Pilaf, although Chinese noodles have become popular for quick preparation process. Masbaiy is accompanied by Rihaakuru (fish paste fried with onions, chillies garlic and curry leaves). It is profoundly Maldivian, yellow in colour and tastes absolutely wonderful! Its real flavor comes out when mixed and eaten by hands. Yes! No spoons or forks. For the mild palatted foreigner, rice only would suffice. The meal is cooked over a makeshift stove and firewood is drawn from around. Little
groups set off in the trees to collect whatever that will help make a fire; coconut palms lying on the ground, dried coconuts, twigs, leaves and dried branches. Despite the common notion of relaxing under the trees and lazing on the beach, picnickers pass the entire day in a rather active manner. Activities continue after lunch. Today, volleyball and water polo have become popular during picnics, with the latter engaging almost all the age groups. The ambience transforms into a cacophony of screams as the two teams splash around water, trying to defend the ball and the directing team members take position. The game is played in shallow lagoon so that even children can take part. Another popular activity is snorkelling. It has been a past time dating back centuries. Different age groups are increasingly engaged in the activity.