The Maldives is the romantic location of honeymoons, couple’s getaways, spa pampering and cocktails at sunset. However, it may come as a surprise to know that it is also home to some of the best kids’ clubs in the world! The natural unspoilt island environment is a place for exploration and the land and water sports activities are so varied across the islands that every family will be occupied from sunrise to bedtime. And just because the whole family is on holiday it doesn't mean there won't be time for Mum and Dad to have romance too!
Maldives Island Life - Home from Home but more exciting and 5* service
Maldivians welcome you to become part of a larger island family during your stay so imagine extended caring for all generations – time for Mums and Dads to reconnect, time for family adventures, time for kids to make friends, be independent and try new activities and time for grand-parents to share precious moments and memories.
Family Villas on the beach and overwater are readily available across the islands, many with freshwater pools, some with slides from the bedroom straight into the lagoon. Outdoor living space is great fun for play and star gazing before bed. Outdoor showers and tubs are playtimes too.
Resorts are expecting families and they are prepared for their every need. Yes, there are high-chairs, bottle warmers, baby monitors and changing facilities, but think what will I need for the Maldives? Here you will also find pop up beach tents, playpens for your villa terrace, swim nappies for your water babies and strollers, so you don’t have to lug them through the airport (and because there are weight limitations on the seaplanes!)
Dining in the Maldives is 5* and the islands boast some Michelin class restaurants which the kids can enjoy as chefs tailor make dishes to taste preferences. Beach BBQs are a family favourite as are island picnics on deserted sandbanks where just you and you loved ones hang out in the sunshine. Babysitting services allow grown-ups to stay out a little longer so cocktails, 5* dining and romance can be on the menu.
All-Inclusive options are great for families as drinks and snacks are available during the day, keeping happy kids fed and watered is easy.
In, On, Over & Under Water - splish, splash, splosh!
Preparing for Indian Ocean adventures should involve watching Finding Nemo and Finding Dory at home, so everyone can get super excited about encountering the life that makes its home beneath the waves. The Indian Ocean is warm and lagoon waters, on the whole, calm. Kids love water so gently sloping beaches are perfect for toe dipping, paddling, swimming and for marine life encounters.
If your child is very young, sandcastle building and toe dipping are wonderful moments of joy, for those who are ready to explore a little deeper snorkelling is an encounter with tropical fish, manta ray, reef sharks and if you are lucky turtles. Diving right in, kids age 8 + can take the PADI Bubblemaker course an introduction to scuba and kids age 10+ can take part in a PADI diving course. Even if you don’t want to get wet you can enjoy marine life encounters, fish swim right up to villa decks and boat jetties, so feeding can be made fun and most resorts run dolphin or whale spotting trips by boat.
On the water the whole family can try kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and much much more. For motorised sports there will be some age limitations so check before promising something the resort can’t deliver.
Keeping the kids’ entertained – and some time for Mums and Dads
Kids’ Clubs - Think Pirates, Explorers, Animals. There are some incredible kids’ clubs across the islands and atolls, where it’s not just arts and crafts. In the Maldives kids’ clubs are treasure hunting, animal encounters, sports, cycling, music, open air cinema and of course more water play from sunken water jets, to swimming lessons.
Teenagers are also very special guests for resorts in the Maldives, they will find zones to hang out in, games rooms and cool age appropriate activities like fusbal, table tennis, arcade games, music lessons, dance classes, spa treatments, yoga and all sorts of sports including climbing and ice skating!
The Maldives is also an education! Ssshhh, don’t tell the kids. Marine discovery centres blend environmental science and awareness with coral building activities and marine life encounters and Maldivian Culture experiences combine traditional craft making and cookery.
The Maldives is not just about lying on a beach or snorkelling and diving – there is a whole world of adventure for every age. And whilst the kids play with newly made friends parents can catch up on some ‘me time’ – spa pampering, a good book or two, conversation and sleep!
How to Get There
British Airways fly direct from London to Male. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad have just one stop, giving you the opportunity to break up your journey with a Middle Eastern luxury stopover in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha.
From Male transfer to the island is an adventure itself, be seaplane or speedboat or private yacht charter depending on which of the islands is your family destination.
For details of the best family accommodation and island experiences phone our travel experts. Our travel concierge service will add the extra touches to make your Maldives family holiday pure perfection.
