Bandos Maldives has marked an extraordinary milestone in guest loyalty, celebrating the 50th visit of long-time guests Kate and Andy Watkinson with a dedicated coral garden on the resort’s house reef.
Their connection with Bandos began in 2006, and over the past two decades, the couple has returned to the island at least twice a year. Their visits have been closely connected to the ocean, with diving becoming an important part of their shared Maldives experience.
Two Decades of Memories at Bandos Maldives
Kate and Andy’s journey at Bandos includes several remarkable milestones. In 2014, the couple exchanged their vows underwater at the resort, creating a particularly memorable chapter in their relationship with the island.
Their passion for diving has continued throughout their visits. Kate celebrated her 1,000th dive, with more than 900 of those dives completed alongside the Bandos dive team. Andy reached his 900th dive, all completed with Dive Bandos, in September 2025.
The couple’s latest milestone came with Kate’s 50th visit to Bandos Maldives, together with more than 400 dives on the resort’s house reef.
A Coral Garden to Mark a Special Connection
To commemorate the occasion, Bandos Maldives has dedicated an area of its house reef to the couple, naming it the K & A Coral Garden.
The garden forms part of the resort’s coral restoration project. Acropora coral fragments are carefully secured to suspended nylon ropes using a frame-based restoration method.
As the coral develops, the garden is expected to create additional habitat for marine life while contributing to the biodiversity and continued restoration of the house reef.
For Kate and Andy, the initiative represents more than a tribute to their 50 visits. It creates a living connection between their personal memories at Bandos and the marine environment that has played such an important role in their time on the island.
A Shared Commitment to the Environment
The couple’s connection with Bandos extends beyond diving. Kate and Andy are also advocates for environmentally responsible practices, making the coral garden a particularly fitting way to celebrate their milestone.
They also planted a frangipani tree outside their favourite villa, creating another lasting reminder of their connection with the resort.
Together, the coral garden and tree represent memories that can continue to grow long after their 50th visit.
When Travel Becomes Part of a Life Story
For the Maldives travel industry, stories such as Kate and Andy’s demonstrate how a resort experience can develop into a long-term relationship between guests and a destination.
At Lets Go Maldives, we believe the Maldives offers travelers opportunities to return not simply to the same island, but to experiences, people and places that become part of their personal travel stories.
Bandos Maldives’ recognition of Kate and Andy’s milestone also highlights how diving, marine conservation and meaningful guest experiences can come together to create a deeper connection with the destination.
From underwater wedding vows and milestone dives to a coral garden growing on the house reef, their journey represents a remarkable example of how travel memories can become part of the places we return to.
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