maldives travel with baby

Complete Guide to Visiting The Maldives with a baby or toddler

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Thinking about visiting the Maldives with baby? Wondering whether the Maldives is a baby friendly vacation destination? These are all great questions to ask if you are thinking about visiting the Maldives with toddler or baby in tow given its reputation as a honeymoon destination. The truth is we loved visiting Maldives with a baby but there are definitely things that you should consider before booking. In this guide we round up the best baby friendly Maldives resorts along with all our tips to make sure you enjoy the Maldives with a toddler or baby

Traveling to the Maldives with a baby – Is the Maldives baby friendly?

In this guide we are going to look into how baby friendly the Maldives is as a holiday destination with a baby. We travelled to the Maldives with 1 year old in tow (talk about a good first birthday!) so this guide is a guaranteed practical guide on travelling to the Maldives with baby!

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

How to Get to The Maldives with Baby

Maldives with a baby / best Maldives resorts with speedboat transfer

Everyone traveling to the Maldives with a baby will arrive at Male International Airport! As tourism is the main industry of the Maldives the airport, despite being small is quite well organized.

Before customs there is a mothers room for feeding and changing. Though once you are through there are less amenities, unless your hotel or resort is transferring you to their own transfer lounge. 

Everyone who is visiting the Maldives with a baby or otherwise will need to transfer to their resort either via boat or seaplane.

For those traveling via boat, the jetty is a short walk away. The boat transfers tend to be for resorts closer to the mainland.

This is good for those who don’t want long transfers and want to be closer to the capital but does mean the water around your resort is likely to have more traffic. 

If you are interested in finding more Maldives resorts reachable by speed boats then check out this post. 

For those traveling via seaplane, you will need to check in at the main airport and then take a ten minute transfer to the local airport. But don’t worry about the extra time, the transfers are very efficient.

Transfers are either organised through your resort or by your agent. But do check the costs before booking as if the transfer is not included it can add a considerable amount onto your cost. 

If you decide to go via seaplane please be aware that the noise from the plane is quite loud and pack some ear protectors for your little one for the transfer!

maldives with baby

Finding a baby friendly resort Maldives 

I think this is fair to say for any holiday as accommodation is key but this is amplified on a small island. Finding a baby friendly resort in the Maldives is key!

But fear not! Even though the Maldives is most commonly associated with honeymooners there are plenty of Maldives baby friendly resorts

When assessing whether you’ve found the best Maldives hotels for families you will want to consider things like  

• if there is a kids club – even if like us you have no intention in using it. Presence of a kids club is a good indicator that children are welcomed! Other considerations you may want to take into account when traveling to the Maldives with a baby include the below:

Things to look for to find a baby friendly Maldives Resort

• Is there onsite medical cover? No one wants to have plan for illness on a holiday but it happens especially with kids. Consider how far away medical facilities are? Are they on your island? We stayed on an island with a medical centre so if we had needed it we would not have had to transfer back to Male to get assistance?
• Is there a kids club Even if you don’t use the presence of a kids club is a good indicator that there are child friendly facilities.
• Is there accommodation other than Over water bungalows The romantic in me loves the thought of staying in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, but the parent in me is having cold sweats at the thought.If you are travelling with a very small baby it might be possible but if you are travelling to the Maldives with a toddler then you might want to look into some different types of accommodation.We went for a beach front villa and this was definitely the right call for us given we were travelling to the Maldives with a toddler (newly walking).

Do I need All inclusive in the Maldives with baby? 

Everybody knows that The Maldives can be expensive so consider going all inclusive. It means little ones will have plenty of water to drink and you won’t be worried about costs when we got there. We definitely think you need all inclusive in the Maldives.

Should I book an overwater bungalow with a baby? Is there such a thing as a Maldives baby friendly resort?

Though an overwater villa sounds idyllic when you have little ones running around may not be the most practical – consider what types of rooms are available for instance beach view to make for a more relaxed trip for parents.

If your baby won’t be walking, however, this might be the perfect opportunity to get an overwater villa! There are lots of Maldives baby friendly resorts and we will pick out a selection in the next section. 

Where should I stay in the Maldives with a baby aka the best Maldives resort with baby.

Is Maldives baby friendly? baby friendly maldives resorts

There are so many choices of resorts in the Maldives

We stayed at Bandos Maldives when we went. A mid-range (for the Maldives) resort! It has a kids club, medical centre and a boat transfer.

You can check availability and read reviews online HERE  

Another family friendly  but a higher end luxury resort is Soneva Fushi

You can compare prices and check availability online HERE

And our final pick is the beautiful and family friendly resort Constance Haleveli.

You can compare prices and check availability online HERE 

What to Pack for the Maldives with infant

Maldives with baby, Maldives with a baby, Maldives with a toddler, Maldives with kids, Best Family Friendly Resorts Maldives

If you are travelling to the Maldives with infant in toddler in tow here is the run down of everything we found useful during our Maldives with a baby stay:

• Usual diaper changing kit plus swim nappies!
• UV protection swimwear including hat
• Plenty of Factor 50 sunscreen
• Hats (Multiples for when they inevitably get wet).
• Light weight cotton clothing!
• Koodi or other beach shading for baby

Travelling to Maldives with baby – sun safety tips

• As the temperatures can get very hot in the Maldives try to plan your main outdoor actives first thing in the morning and last thing in the afternoon. We also took our Koodi to make sure she always had shade on the beach!
• Be sure they and you (If you are breastfeeding) stay hydrated
• Be sure to have plenty of sunscreen with you
• Have UV suits for the sun and plenty of hats

FAQS about travelling to the Maldives with toddlers, babies and infants

Should i take a stroller to the maldives.

Small Island resorts might sound like the place to leave your stroller at home for but we took ours and we were so glad we did! We would use it in the evenings to walk to the restaurant and would use it for naps! I am so glad that we brought it with us!

How Old was your baby when you visited the Maldives?

When we travelled we were in the Maldives with 1 year old! However all our advice would stand for younger babies, and toddlers in the Maldives with 2 year old and up! 

Overall Opinion of doing a Maldives holiday with baby!

Overall we thought that the Maldives with a baby is a brilliant vacation idea. And I know lots of other families agree . We are so glad that we didn’t think it was off limits for anyone but honeymooners and couples.

Have you been to the Maldives with a baby? What are your top tips? 

Visiting the Maldives with a baby, Things to do in Maldives with baby, Where to Stay in Maldives with toddler including best maldives hotel for for families

Wednesday 22nd of February 2023

Hi there! Thank you for sharing your experience! Did you pay for taking the stroller with you on the seaplane? We are travelling next week, and the holiday company we booked our package said we have only 20kg check in bag + 5kg hand luggage each adult, and the baby (1 year old) dont have any allowance as he didnt pay for the flights. Thank you x

Wandermust Daddy

Saturday 4th of March 2023

Hello, I am afraid we didn't transfer with a seaplane but by a boat so we didn't have the same restrictions. It wouldn't surprise me if the baby didn't have allowance for the stroller as the weight restrictions are very tight

Friday 20th of May 2022

excellent guide, planning for next yr. (my baby will be 1, next year)

Thanks and Bless you -Abraham

Thursday 16th of May 2019

I am so glad i came across your blog. We are hoping to go away next year when our baby will be 4-6 months old and most people think we are crazy for considering it so it has been fab to read all about your adventures and advice for taking a baby away. We would love to go to the Maldives with them but are a bit concerned about the mosquitos and Zeka and Dengue risk. Was this something that concerned you about your trip to the Maldives?

Wednesday 24th of May 2017

I've never considered it to be honest. It looks beautiful #MyFamilyAdventures

Wandermust Mummy

It's fabulous with a family

Saturday 6th of May 2017

We went to the Maldives well before having kids and loved it! It's fantastic that you were able to take advantage of being close and that you found it to be baby-friendly! #fearlessfamtrav

Super baby friendly

Maldives with Kids (Incl. Baby & Toddler): Tips & Tricks for Perfect Trip

Maldives is a dream destination for many, but undeniably the most popular among couples and honeymooners . Ironically, I first visited the Maldives solo and then returned to the Maldives with kids.

While Maldives is a fantastic place for family holidays, it’s important to plan things carefully. It can be a tricky destination as there are so many islands and variables to include can make or break your holidays – or your budget.

Traveling to the Maldives with Kids: What to Consider

First and foremost: is it worth going to the Maldives with a toddler?

Many people thought we were insane when we went to the Maldives with two little kids (Dylan was 3.5 and Holden was 19 months), claiming we could just go to the Bahamas, but having been to both I can honestly say that it’s so different than visiting the Caribbean.

You will need to factor in a long flight to get there so be ready when you’re flying with a baby or toddler , but I promise you – you won’t regret it.

Which Islands or Resorts in the Maldives to Visit with Kids?

Picking a place to stay in the Maldives isn’t easy, especially with kids. It takes more planning than just picking a nice resort on Booking.com. The islands are a chain of 26 atolls with multiple islands per atol and every island offers different forms of transportation and have a different set of rules.

Not every island is child friendly as well and even if they welcome children, some might not be very child friendly after all. You need to find out if they have a kids club and if so for what ages, kids pool, babysitters, and most importantly – whether your child might be allowed to stay in certain villas.

Most people tend to island hop every few days and visit 2-3 resorts, but you might not want to do this with small children.

Overwater Villas with Kids in the Maldives: Good or Bad Idea?

Many parents automatically disregard the possibility of staying in an overwater villa with a toddler as they’re worried about safety. I’ll tell you the truth: we stayed in multiple overwater bungalows in the Maldives and French Polynesia and it’s just as safe as anywhere else. How?

You probably wouldn’t leave a toddler or baby alone on the balcony of a hotel or a beach villa near the water anyway, am I right? The same goes for overwater villas. Some villas will have decks with fences, others can install a fence for a family.

We set clear rules about not running on the deck and not going out without a parent (there are child locks on terrace doors, so don’t worry – you can go to the toilet or sleep without stressing). We’ve never had an issue or even come close to having an issue. Both kids found the ledge of the terrace scary enough that they didn’t even want to go to the ledge on their own.

Both kids and I loved driving on the jetty to get to our villa and watching fish and other sea creatures everywhere. It was also convenient to have a shallow pool on our deck, so the kids played safely while we enjoyed the surroundings.

Factor ALL the Costs of Your Trip

The biggest and most costly mistake people make when traveling to the Maldives is not accounting for ALL the costs. For example, you might feel like you’re getting an awesome deal if you can travel hack and get a hotel stay on points, but…

1. Food is Expensive at Resorts

This isn’t unique to the Maldives and applies to any islands around the world. Food has to be important and therefore will cost you. I highly recommend going at least half-board for the Maldives, because you won’t be able to buy snacks.

2. Factor the Transport Cost: Boat or Seaplane

No point redemption will ever get you a free seaplane or boat ride. It’s something you need to factor into the costs and depending on how far and where you’re heading, it might be a LOT of money (up to $1200 per person).

I heard people recommending staying close to Male so you can take a boat to your resort, but depending on the place it might not necessarily be cheaper AND it might be easier to actually take a seaplane with kids.

I’ve taken a boat out of Male and then inter-island and it can be a bumpy ride that I still have nightmares of and wouldn’t want to do it with small children. The seaplane was easier as you get transferred to a waiting lounge (with play areas for the kids) vs you waiting on a little bench outside of the airport for your boat.

Not to mention, the seaplane was a big part of the adventure and the kids loved landing on the water. When we booked, various resorts were running a promo for half-price seaplane which ended up being $200 for adult and $120 per person, while we would pay over $100pp for a bumpy board ride. However, keep in mind that average cost of a seaplane to Baa Atol resorts (the most beautiful one) are about $600-1200 per person.

These days, various resorts are offering smaller plane flights to a nearby bigger island airport scheduled once a day. It’s significantly cheaper so make sure to check with your resort about that possibility.

3. If you need childcare, pick a good kids club

You’re going to want a break. Every resort provides some sort of babysitting or childcare, but ultimately only the kids club is free and kids club comes with an age requirement.

Most kids club allow children 4 and over to stay unaccompanied at the kids club. Younger children can still come but with a parent or babysitter.

It’s a bit of a bummer, because there are no exceptions even if the child is mature and capable. The mistake we made was to assume that one babysitter can take care of both of our under 4 years old children at the kids club, but the rules state that it’s 1 babysitter per child. So instead of $25 an hour we had to pay $50 per hour for someone to follow our children around.

Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives

If you have the money, there’s no denying that Soneva Jani is the best option with a family. I visited it years ago and it only improved since then (and their kids’ club called Den is to die for!). The Den is huge, with its own little water park, outdoor cinemas, Lego room, other themed playrooms, and loads of games, toys and activities.

Niyama Private Island – one of a kind resort with kids club allowing children from just 3 years, an underwater restaurant, a surfing area, and feeling small enough yet big to spread out.

Anantara Kihavah – we ended up staying there recently due to their promo and it was truly a wonderful place, although small. Their staff was incredible with our kids and it was a truly personalized stay. (note that kids need to be 4 years old to stay at the kids club for free)

Kandima – a fantastic option for families with a giant kids club, family-friendly overwater and beach villas and kids meals for free under the age of 6. (note that kids need to be 4 years old AND entirely potty trained to stay at the kids club for free)

Kinan Resort – a bit of a different option, because Kinan is located on a local island so while there’s only one bikini beach and no alcohol is sold, it’s a fantastic family-friendly budget option.

What to Do in the Maldives with Kids

Ultimately, Maldives is a beach vacation and kids don’t need much to entertain them. Different resorts will offer different activities and if the resort welcomes children most likely they can join you in all activities.

We ended up doing a spectacular dolphin cruise. Who wouldn’t be impressed by the dolphins swimming right next to the boat?!

Kids were absolutely mesmerized by the stargazing using a giant telescope during a special dining event. Even the little one was very interested in seeing the moon, despite not being able to fully comprehend what is it just yet.

Our hotel had an underwater restaurant where we were welcome as well and the kids had a blast seeing fish swimming around them.

What to Pack for the Maldives with Kids

If your child still uses diapers and drinks formula, bring more than you think you’ll need. I’m always a fan of buying everything at the destination, but you’ll be staying on a remote island with no shops anywhere so pack accordingly.

Fancier resorts might provide you with some, but not for the entire stay. When we went our younger was basically done with daytime potty training and only some diapers for the night, but I hadn’t brought enough when we went to Bora Bora before and had to pay a hefty price for a small package of Pampers imported from another island for me.

Otherwise, most people pack way too many clothes. Most of the time you and your kids will be in a swimwear, so you can easily do a carry-on for a week’s long vacation.

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Is the Maldives Baby Friendly? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to the Maldives with Kids or a Baby

When it comes to the best baby friendly travel destinations and kid-friendly destinations, nothing quite beats a luxury resort, a white-sand beach, and a vacation where you don’t have to worry about much. Enter: The Maldives . While you may think of this ultra-luxury travel destination as a honeymooner’s paradise, do not be fooled – it is also the IDEAL tropical family playground, with tons of luxury resorts that cater to kids and babies, and many family-friendly activities (and kids clubs!) to keep the little ones entertained. 

Is the Maldives Baby Friendly? 

Yes! Resorts in the Maldives are extremely baby friendly and it’s one of the best trips you can take with a baby. 

What makes the Maldives so baby and kid friendly?

When visiting the Maldives with a baby or traveling with kids, you can expect soft white-sand beaches and warm, shallow lagoons for your baby, toddler, or kids to frolic in, as well as incredible, world-renowned resorts with great kids clubs, nanny services, and more. 

It’s impossible to beat the slow, relaxing pace of life on a small island, biking around, stargazing at night at the stars, and experiencing beautiful tropical nature together as a family. Maldives with kids is more than a vacation, it’s a relaxing lifestyle you’ll find yourself rejuvenated from and will want to come back to year after year. 

What are the most baby friendly resorts in the Maldives?

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

With the One&Only’s gorgeous family villas with pools, its amazing kids club KidsOnly, and its absolutely incredible island, that is accessible by boat from Male (so you don’t need to hop on yet another flight with your little ones!), One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives is one of my top choices for families in the Maldives.

Luxury begins with the way that you arrive at the resort – by luxury yacht direct from Male Airport. Once you are on the property, there are golf carts that can take you to and from your villa, the beach, or to one of the eight delicious restaurants. Our overwater villa was modern and luxurious, with so much space and a private plunge pool, as well as lots of comfortable lounge areas for basking in the sun, and all of the five-star amenities you can imagine. The One&Only also has a great house reef  – we saw SO many sharks here (all friendly!) and even had a family of nurse sharks in the water right outside our room! Which is so fun for little ones.

Kids are more than welcome at One&Only, and affluent families are the main clientele. They even have a kids’ buffet that is on kid-level, so your littles can grab their own food with ease. One&Only Reethi Rah also has an award-winning spa, which you absolutely cannot miss. Even if you don’t do a treatment, you can explore the sauna & steam – which is incredible. The spa was named the Global Winner of Best Luxury Spa and made Condé Nast Traveler’s top 20 list.

One&Only Maldives is paradise, perfected . Especially for families.

Check rates for your dates here

Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu is one of the best resorts in the Maldives, and one of my very favorites! I’m always blown away at how kid friendly and baby friendly they are there, with everything from octopus pancakes for the kids, to the children’s club The Den, to in-villa babysitting, toys, baby chairs and hammocks readily available, even little ones have big adventures at this family-friendly resort in the Maldives.

Banyan Tree Angsana Velavaru

Gili Lankanfushi

Gili Lankanfushi is such a magical place, you guys. The overwater bungalows here give off a rustic chic, understated luxury vibe, and feel somewhere between a luxurious pirate ship and a floating treehouse. They’re gorgeous . You’ll want to spend all day laying out on your hammock over the water, and all night sleeping under the stunnnning stars (your butler – called your “Friday” can set it up for you!). Some of the villas – called the “cruisers” give you an even more unique experience as they are only accessible by boat (you can boat yourself during the day or there is always one on call for you!). And, if you want the best of the best, or have a big family, you can look into the biggest overwater bungalow in the Maldives , called “The Private Reserve”, which is complete with four bedrooms, its own infinity pool, its own private ISLAND, and a slide into the ocean.

Anantara Kihavah Villas

For the trip of a lifetime traveling to the Maldives with kids, the Anantara Kihavah is a great choice. It’s located in the Baa atoll, famous for its THRIVING marine life and incredible kids club.  It is only accessible by sea plane (a super fun adventure for your baby or kid!) and the whole island is full of the whitest, powdery sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters that you traveled to the Maldives for! The remote location of Anantara Kihavah means endless horizon views and stunning starry night skies. Highly recommend staying in one of their beach bungalows.

The vibe at Anantara is low-key, barefoot luxury. 

Check rates for your dates here.

Photo via Kihavah Villas / TripAdvisor

St. Regis Maldives

If you’re looking for an ultra-luxe family resort in the Maldives, the St. Regis is a fantastic choice. When we were last there, we saw so many chic families from around the world with their little ones in tow! The beach villas here are ideal for families, and the white sand beach here is perfect for little toddlers and babies! 

How do we get perks for being a Jetset reader when booking any of these hotels (at no added cost!)

Email me at [email protected] with the hotel you have in mind and the dates you have in mind and I will connect you with my travel agency partner who can secure you perks such as resort credit, free breakfast, room upgrades, etc. at no additional cost at any of the hotels I recommend! 

Should you stay in an overwater bungalow or a beach bungalow if traveling with a baby to the Maldives?

I personally think it’s safest, especially if your baby or toddler or kids are moving around, to stay in a beach bungalow in the Maldives over an overwater bungalow! Often, beach bungalows are more spacious and sometimes even nicer than the overwater bungalows! 

Photo via @jetsetchristina

Check out these other related blog posts:

Everything to know about traveling with a baby

the best Dubai and Maldives itinerary

What to Pack for the Maldives

What I use to take my photos

What I do every day to stay healthy 

Easy tips for better vacation photos

Back in Bali and it Feels So Good

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cartagena, Colombia

WRITTEN BY: Christina

Christina is a leading luxury lifestyle and travel blogger with over 2 million readers. Follow her on instagram @jetsetchristina.

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Taking Your Baby to the Maldives: A Detailed Guide

• July 15, 2023

Travelling with a baby can be a rewarding yet challenging experience, and when your destination is a paradise like the Maldives, you want everything to be perfect. This guide will provide tips and advice on how to make your Maldivian vacation with your baby as smooth as possible.

Preparing for Your Trip to the Maldives with Your Baby

Traveling with a baby requires thoughtful preparation. When packing, consider the tropical climate of the Maldives and pack accordingly. Lightweight, breathable clothing, sun hats, sunscreen, and any necessary medications should top your list. Also, don’t forget to pack enough baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, and baby food.

Top Baby-Friendly Locations in the Maldives

Several resorts in the Maldives cater specifically to families. When booking your accommodation, consider a resort that offers baby care facilities, kids clubs, and family-friendly activities. This will make your stay much more enjoyable and stress-free.

This five-star resort provides a kid-friendly atmosphere with its Kids Club, featuring various exciting activities for children of all ages. For the babies, they offer professional babysitting services, baby food, and essential supplies like strollers, cribs, and high chairs.

Constance Moofushi

With its All-Inclusive Crystal Package, this resort includes a variety of services suitable for families with babies. They offer babysitting services and a dedicated children’s menu. The shallow, clear waters at the resort’s beaches are safe for little ones.

Kurumba Maldives

As the first resort in the Maldives, Kurumba offers excellent facilities for families, including a baby sitting service and a children’s pool. Its location near Male makes it easier to access in case of any medical emergencies.

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

This resort offers a family-friendly experience with various amenities like baby cots, strollers, baby chairs, and babysitting services. The Koamas Kidz Paradise for children aged 3-12 years ensures your little ones will be entertained and cared for.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Recognized for its exceptional services, this resort caters to families with young children, providing amenities like baby-proofing kits, cribs, high chairs, strollers, and baby toiletries. Its Kids for All Seasons programme entertains children with a variety of fun and educational activities.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Niyama offers a fantastic kids club, Explorers Kids Club, with activities for all ages, even for kids under 3 years. Baby essentials such as strollers, baby cots, high chairs, bottle sterilizing equipment, and babysitting services are available. Remember, always confirm with the resort about the availability of baby-friendly amenities and services before booking.

Navigating Travel to and Within the Maldives

When planning your trip, consider direct flights to minimize travel time and discomfort for your baby. Once in the Maldives, speedboat or seaplane transfers are typical to reach your resort. Check in advance with the resort about child safety measures for these modes of transport.

Healthcare Facilities

Ensure you’re aware of the healthcare facilities available at your chosen resort and nearby islands. It’s also crucial to check your travel insurance covers your baby and the type of activities you plan to engage in.

Activities in the Maldives with Your Baby

The Maldives offers a range of activities perfect for young families. Apart from enjoying the stunning beaches, you can take part in guided nature walks, visit local communities, and introduce your baby to the colorful marine life through glass-bottom boat tours.

Safety Considerations for Travelling with a Baby to the Maldives

Is the maldives safe for families and babies.

Yes, the Maldives is considered safe for families and babies. Resorts in the Maldives are well-equipped and used to catering to families with young children, providing a range of amenities and services to ensure their comfort and safety.

Is it Safe to Take a 6-Month-Old Baby Abroad, Specifically to the Maldives?

While it’s generally safe to travel with a 6-month-old baby, it’s always best to consult your pediatrician before planning international travel. They can provide advice based on your baby’s health, vaccinations, and overall readiness for travel.

Age-Specific Concerns for Travelling to the Maldives with a Baby

Can we take a 1-year-old or a 2-year-old to the maldives.

Yes, it’s quite common for parents to bring children of this age to the Maldives. Just ensure that you’ve taken all necessary precautions for a safe and comfortable journey and stay, including packing essential items and confirming child-friendly amenities at your chosen resort.

What’s the Safest Age for a Baby to Fly? Can a 3-Month-Old or a 4-Month-Old Baby Travel Internationally?

While there’s no definitive ‘safest age’ to fly, most airlines allow babies as young as two days old to fly. However, it’s advisable to wait until the baby is at least a few weeks old. For international travel, consult your baby’s doctor to ensure they’re ready for a long journey.

Flight Tips for Travelling to the Maldives with a Baby

What do i do if my baby poops on the plane.

Most aircraft have changing tables in the lavatories where you can safely and hygienically change your baby’s diaper. Be sure to bring a changing pad, baby wipes, and a plastic bag to dispose of the used diaper.

How Do I Get My 1-Year-Old to Sleep on a Plane?

Keeping your baby’s sleep routine as normal as possible can help them sleep on a plane. If it aligns with their normal sleep times, consider scheduling your flight during the night. Comfort items like a favorite blanket or toy can also help.

Specifics About the Maldives for Babies and Toddlers

What should i dress my baby in for the maldives.

The Maldives has a tropical climate, so dress your baby in light, breathable clothing. Don’t forget a sun hat, sunscreen, and swim gear for water activities.

Can Children Stay in Water Bungalows in the Maldives?

Policies vary depending on the resort, with some allowing children in water bungalows and others imposing age restrictions for safety reasons. Check with your chosen resort prior to booking.

Other Important Questions

Do kids need a passport for the maldives.

Yes, all individuals, including babies, require a valid passport for international travel.

Do Babies Under 3 Fly Free Internationally?

Policies vary by airline. While some airlines may allow babies under two to fly for free on an adult’s lap, others may charge a small fee. Check with your airline when booking your flight.

Remember, planning and preparation can make your trip to the Maldives a wonderful experience for you and your baby. Safe travels!

How SleepBaby.org Can Assist

Whether you’re at home or in a tropical paradise like the Maldives, getting your baby to sleep comfortably is a priority for most parents. SleepBaby.org can be your handy guide here, offering tips and strategies to ensure your baby gets quality sleep. This can be especially beneficial during your vacation, as changes in environment and time zones can disrupt your baby’s sleep patterns.

Concluding Thoughts

Taking your baby to the Maldives can be a memorable experience with the right preparation. By considering all aspects like travel, accommodation, health facilities, and planned activities, you can enjoy your tropical getaway with your little one without any worries.

Maldives with Kids: A Maldives Family Holiday with a Baby or Toddler

Dreaming of a Maldives family holiday? Visiting the Maldives with kids is a bucket list vacation!

For someone like me, stranded in Canada, the Maldives is one of those places that seems SO. FAR. AWAY. But, a Maldives family holiday is a typical (albeit very special) vacation for many. I’m excited to share this post from Ioana of  Zen Baby Travel .

The pictures alone are enough to make me book flights asap!

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What makes a Maldives family holiday so special?

Twenty-plus years of extensive travelling, over 50 countries, and over 1,000 flights give you an idea of the  Zenbabytravel  team’s addiction to travel. So what makes a Maldives family holiday so special?  

The Maldives are a paradise no longer reserved for honeymooners. In the last few years, the South Asian island nation has become a barefoot luxury playground for families with kids. When visiting the Maldives with kids, expect shallow warm lagoons, fabulous resorts with great kids clubs, and the best snorkelling. Of course this all makes a fabulous destination for you and the little ones. But what exactly is  so  special?

9 Reasons a Maldives Family Holiday is Special:

1) the maldives family resorts.

Imagine a Maldives family resort, with life on a small island, lost in the Indian Ocean, where staff knows and greets you. We loved Banyan Tree Angsana Velavaru with kids and, before the kids, Taj Exotica . We also tested Sun Aqua Vilu Reef next door to Angsana . It’s difficult to beat the sweet gentle pace of life of a very small island, stargazing at night at shooting stars, and embracing the nature. Maldives with kids is highly addictive and very therapeutic.

2) Getting There Is Half the Fun

The seaplane transfers add to the experience. Gazing at the hundreds shades of blue and atolls is pure therapy.

3) The Beach Bungalows

Imagine snorkelling just in front of your beach bungalow. With two small kids, you often find yourself carrying 10kg of stuff to the beach in addition to them. That’s why visiting the Maldives with kids is easy for all parties… just hang around in front of your beach villa to wave at baby sharks and swim with colourful fish.

4) The Freedom

The Maldives don’t offer typical beach villas (or hotel rooms or flats) and so the time spent as a family is different. Angsana Velavaru had the perfect setting. We spent most of our afternoons and evenings in the privacy of our garden and pool. We had parties in the rain, swam at leisure, danced, and ran around as naked as we fancied. It was very liberating and bonding. The kids even loved the few hours of tropical rain and splashing. They were very disappointed to be back in London and find out our rain is still too cold and less fun. We made a YouTube video about our experience:  Maldives with kids: land of bliss Banyan Tree Angsana Velavaru

5) The Nature

The sea and wildlife are utterly fascinating. Our four-year-old loved the sunset cruise where 200 dolphins joined us–joyous and playful for an hour. We’ve been also treated like royalty; the crew told our child fascinating stories whilst the parents were left alone with bubbly, canapés, and the sky on fire… Pure bliss. Baby sharks were omnipresent and we loved to watch them every day on our way to breakfast or the dive centre. A few “Nemos” lived just in front of our villa, and sting rays would join us for daily feeds and educational speeches. The lizards helped keep us mosquito free. We loved to watch them hunting or just sunbathing. The crabs in their shells were similarly great fun to watch and play with for both of our boys.

See more of our experiences here:  Maldives with kids – snorkelling safari & shark encounter

6) The Vibe

The barefoot luxury of grabbing breakfast without shoes, just five minutes away from our villa. Or turning up to the beach bar for happy hour; the kids would run around and we would sip cocktails.

7) The Activities

Lots of fun activities were within a five-minute reach. Kayaking ticked with both boys. SUP paddle boarding also ticked with both boys. My 20-month-old would sit with me and we would paddle together. With my four-year-old we ventured out for hours… I would be standing and paddling, he would be sitting, observing, and talking. The shallow and warm blue water lagoons of the Indian ocean were, by far, his favourite exploration areas. There’s also windsurfing, jet skiing, diving, and lots more for older kids and active parents.

8) The Stars

The stargazing is out of this world, shooting stars included. Maldives skies are stunning. The light pollution around Angsana is minimal.

9) The Childcare

Lastly, the childcare is amazing. Finding a good vacation babysitter can be tough. On a Maldives family holiday, parents can truly relax and spend as much couple time together as they wish. It’s also far from an enclosed space but it is childcare in a true tropical paradise. On a daily basis, Angsana organised bird feeding and outings. There are also picnics, snorkelling trips, and educational time spent planting corals and taking in part in sea turtle conservation programmes.

For me, these are all great reasons for a parent to continue spending and arm and a leg on a Maldives family holiday. Experiencing the Maldives with kids is worth braving the long flights and the jet lag–even with two small kids! A Maldives family holiday enlightens and charges batteries! And, bliss aside, they are also educational for your kids and a real eye opener.

Zenbabytravel ‘s Ioana is a London-based mum, travel and culture addict, with a business background and masters degrees in Communications and PR.

Connect with her on  YouTube ,  Twitter , or  Facebook .

Have Baby Will Travel  is a participant in the  Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program . If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission.  Click here to check out our Amazon Store .

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2 Responses to Maldives with Kids: A Maldives Family Holiday with a Baby or Toddler

The Maldives are a dream destination for me. I sure hope we can get there before the islands are underwater. It reminds me of Bora Bora where I went on my honeymoon

The Maldives AND Bora Bora are dream destinations for me!

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Top things to do in the Maldives with kids

Feb 7, 2024 • 6 min read

The Maldives isn't just a honeymoon destination – it's an adventure for the whole family © AleksanderNakic / Getty Images

Known as the ultimate honeymoon destination, the Maldives might not automatically register as a family friendly vacation spot.

However, thanks to the warmth and kindness of Maldivians who genuinely seem to find kids delightful, the extraordinarily rich marine biodiversity and a range of fun excursions and activities , these 26 atolls floating in the Indian Ocean are a natural playground for kids of all ages.

Is the Maldives good for kids?

The journey to the Maldives, especially from Europe or North America can be a long slog and may be easier for older children. However, once you arrive, the islands offer so many unique activities for families. Go on an underwater snorkeling safari, walk along a glowing beach, journey beneath the waves in a submarine or delve into the rich culture and cuisine on local islands. 

The Maldives is a Muslim country. Prep your kids before arrival on any cultural norms, etiquette, and respect for local customs that may differ from their own home experiences. That may include being calm and quiet during prayer times, the call to prayer (Adhan) and the expectation for modest dress even on the beach. It’s also fun to teach your children some basic phrases, like “Dhanee” which means goodbye and “Shukriyaa” to say thank you. 

A trip to the Maldives can be expensive, but most resorts offer packages where kids can stay and eat for free. Families can save even more by traveling in the off-season (May-November), staying at guesthouses on local islands and using local transport like ferries. Research ferry times before you arrive, but be warned that they can be unreliable and schedules can change. However, other forms of transport are available between islands and they're fairly cost-effective, with speedboat rides from Male to Gulhi and Maafushi costing around $30 per person. 

You can visit the Maldives with babies and toddlers and have a great time, but kids aged seven and up will really appreciate all the adventures on offer and arguably get the most out of a vacation here.

Where is best in the Maldives for kids?

Combine independent travel to budget-friendly local islands like Maafushi – where you can get a real taste of life in the Maldives – with a comfortable stay in a resort with facilities like swimming pools, kids clubs and water parks. Opt for a little luxury with a few days at a private island resort or just visit for the day to use the facilities for a fee, which is a popular option here. 

Kids will play for hours at Siyam World , the Indian Ocean's biggest floating water park. It also has a Kidz World club catering to children between the ages of four and 12 that offers a variety of activities, from crafts to storytelling. Dhigurah island, on which Siyam World is situated, is accessible thanks to fun purple buggies that look like stretched golf carts with stops named after cities around the world.

At the Soneva Fushi resort on Kunfunadhoo, children can play at the largest playground in South Asia, which is the size of six tennis courts and features a pirate ship and giant musical piano keys built into the floor. Qualified childminders supervise all the fun so the parents can take a break.

Best things to do in the Maldives with babies and toddlers  

Play on the beach .

The Maldives offers the ultimate beach holiday, and although babies and toddlers may not remember this experience, their parents certainly will! Many resorts large and small will have beach toys you can borrow, so check ahead of time to save space in your luggage. Find a sandbank to create a mini swimming pool filled with warm shallow water and let your little one splash and play.

Best things to do in the Maldives with kids 

Go on a snorkeling safari.

Most resorts loan fins, a mask and a snorkel so that you can explore the house reefs right from the beach, or even from your overwater room. You can also book excursions to go a little further out and see a rainbow of shimmering blue surgeonfish, blue stripe snapper, parrotfish and triggerfish. 

Ride in a submarine

Book a trip inside the Whale Submarine , the only passenger submarine in Southern Asia where you can view ocean life up to 150m (492ft) below the surface. Children aged three and older are warmly welcomed aboard the submarine for this unique underwater experience. The dive site is just 500m (1640ft) west of Male so the company offers same-day trips as your departure and ensures you get to the airport in time for your flight. 

Visit Vaadhoo Island’s glowing beach

Bioluminescent beaches in the Maldives showcase a natural phenomenon where certain marine organisms, like plankton and dinoflagellates, produce a chemical reaction that emits light. This results in luminous blue and green shorelines at night, creating a surreal, magical atmosphere that will delight your kids. Visit Vaadhoo Island, Mudhdhoo Island, Rangali Island and Baa Atoll, just some of the remarkable locations where these bioluminescent events occur.

Best things to do in the Maldives with tweens and teenagers

Learn about conservation .

Many resorts have a house marine biologist and sustainability officer on staff to ensure that the protection of the environment is part of your vacation experience. Older kids and teens will love doing their part by spending the afternoon coral planting, which helps renew the coral reef to repopulate damaged areas. Both  Milaidoo Maldives , Milaidhoo, and  Sun Siyam World , Dhigurah offer coral planting.  

Try some watersports

You’ll find opportunities to try different watersports like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and jet skiing at many beaches in the Maldives. But why not try something a little different, like a Seabob ride? This water scooter lets you fly across the water's surface or dip down below to new depths. Most resorts offer Seabob rentals, but you can also book with  Maafushi Dive and Water Sports directly if you're not staying at a resort.

Tour Male City

Add a tour of the capital Male to either the beginning or end of your trip to enjoy another side of the Maldives away from the luxury resorts and serene beaches. Stops should include the white-marbled Old Friday Mosque (open to visitors outside of prayer times), the playgrounds at Rasrani Bageecha , and shopping for kid-friendly souvenirs like candy, fridge magnets and trinkets at Majeedhee Magu market.

Planning tips

• Pack a basic first aid kit with items like child-friendly insect repellent, reef-safe sunscreen and any necessary medications. A pharmacy or clinic might not be readily accessible, especially on more remote islands, although most hotels will have an on-call doctor should you need one. It’s a good idea to bring along motion sickness medications suitable for kids to help them cope with plane, boat and ferry rides galore.
• If you’re traveling on a seaplane, invest in some noise-canceling headphones for your kids, as they can be very noisy. Bring along a carrier, car seat, or umbrella stroller to secure your little one if you travel on a local ferry – most of them are open at the back. Strollers are more of a hindrance in the Maldives because of the sand, so carriers and wraps may be better options for babies and small kids.
• Make sure you pack enough diapers to get you through your entire stay. Local islands may not stock the brands you prefer and the prices at resorts for baby care items are very high. 
• Although your initial flight to the Maldives is likely to have had an environmental impact, once you arrive, take advantage of the many more sustainable (and fun) ways to get around, like rental bicycles and local ferries.

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Packing my Suitcase

by Allane Milliane

Maldives with a Baby: what you need to know

When W. and I spent our honeymoon in the Maldives back in 2013, in our hotel we saw a couple with a baby. It caught my attention and I realized it wasn’t a bad idea to return to the islands when we had our own baby. In fact, after spending a few days at the amazing Thudufushi island, I had no doubt that this kind of holiday would be ideal with a baby. Why? I give you 6 reasons why going to the Maldives with a baby is amazing:

1. It’s laid back, especially for the parents; 2. You don’t have to worry about food, it’s always ready for you; 3. People are very friendly with babies and kids; 4. There is always a beach and the ocean at your doorstep; 5. You don’t have to worry about sightseeing; 6. It’s a paradise and romantic destination, which is perfect for a first trip after the baby is here.

When our baby girl arrived in September 2017, we had no doubt that the Maldives would be the ideal first destination we would visit with her. And even though I confessed on my 11 truths about traveling with a newborn post that I was freaking out about the whole trip when we were leaving Munich, I returned a completely different person and much more experienced parent. The trip taught us many things and I would do it all again. But of course, there are two main downsides of going to the Maldives with a baby:

1. The Maldives is a pricey destination, whether you’re going with or without a baby;

2. Getting there is already an adventure without a baby, imagine with one.

Though these two cons didn’t let us down, we knew the effort would pay off, and right we were!

The Maldives as a couple x with a baby

It was very interesting to be at the Maldives for the second time, this time with a baby. We couldn’t help but compare both our experiences and notice the main differences between traveling as honeymooners and as parents, 4 years apart:

1. Freedom and flexibility . Definitely not the same when you have a 2,5 months old in your arms. We couldn’t for example, go diving, though we managed to go snorkeling. Or we also couldn’t go to the beach whenever we wanted to because of the high temperatures for the baby at some times of the day, and so on.

2. There were many things we couldn’t always do together , as depending on the time or Baby M’s mood, someone had to stay behind with her. We didn’t consider using the service of a babysitter as our baby was only 2,5 months old.

3. I don’t know what was more exciting, the first time when we went as a couple and went snorkeling together for the first time in paradise, or when we went as parents and took our baby girl to swim in the sea for the first time. No, there is nothing like showing the world to your baby .

These were the major differences we noticed when we compared both our trips to the Maldives, and even though we had to compromise a lot, something we didn’t have to the first time, we believe that the key to enjoy it it’s not to plan or expect too much. Instead, just keep in mind it will be different with a baby and enjoy the time together as a family. Though we would have loved to dive in the Maldives, we were also more than happy not to and stay cuddling with our baby girl.

Practical information

Getting there.

It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from, you will arrive at Malé’s International Airport. Then from there, depending on which island your hotel is located, you will need to take a seaplane or a boat to reach it. Your agency or hotel will advise you and arrange a transfer for you.

At Malé’s airport

Despite being a small airport, Malé’s International Airport offers a “Mother’s room” where you can change your baby’s diaper and breastfeed (though this room is before the boarding area, before the security check). Unfortunately, once you pass the security check, the only place you will have to breastfeed your baby comfortably will be the bathroom, because, let’s not forget you’re in a Muslim country and you can’t really breastfeed in public, even though there you will find reserved seats for families.

Good to know: depending on the hotel you’re going to stay they may have a lounge area, which you can use at the seaplane airport for free. There you can storage your luggage, use their bathrooms, have something to drink and relax a bit before your flight.

Also, there is a shuttle that takes passengers from the international airport to the local one, they are only 10 minutes away from each other.

The seaplane journey with a baby

♦ The check in with the seaplane company is done at the International Airport, and from there you will take the shuttle to board from the local airport;

♦  You won’t be charged extra for the baby, but there is no baggage allowance for an infant;

♦  The planes are VERY loud, so we advise you to bring ear protection to your little one;

♦  As in normal airplanes, you will also be asked to wear a seatbelt extension for your baby;

♦  The flight duration depends on where your hotel is located, though normally the journey takes about 30 to 45 minutes;

♦  It’s not uncommon to have to stop on other islands before you get to yours.

Accommodation

If you never traveled to the Maldives before and doesn’t know how it’s like to visit the islands, know that each island is a hotel. There are bigger islands, where the hotels have over 400 rooms, many restaurants and activities, and there are the smaller islands with way less rooms, such as 70. The smaller ones tend to be more expensive and exclusive, though it doesn’t mean they offer any less activities than the bigger ones. A plus side of the small ones are the heath of the corals.

What to look for in a hotel/resort?

If the budget is not a problem, preferably look for a small island. They are more private and intimate. If you want to save a bit more, look for a bigger island. What’s most important is that the hotel/resort is child friendly (offers a baby cot and baby sitters if it’s your case) and isn’t too far from Malé’s airport (which will make the seaplane journey faster) nor too close (these tend to be less secluded and busy with boats passing my all the time). All the rest depends on what kind of activity you and your partner are expecting to do.

Should you take a stroller to the Maldives?

This was our biggest question before our trip. I mean, it’s an island, there will be sand and the ocean, not to mention it’s one more thing to carry. Well, we decided to take ours and it was the best decision. It was very practical to walk around the island, or when we went to the restaurant, or when we were waiting to board the seaplane when leaving from the island. It was also a good asset to protect the baby from the sun, and it ended up not being one more thing to carry, but rather an accessory to help us carry small items and hand luggage around. So yes, take the stroller with you, but also take a baby carrier, another essential item.

What to pack for the Maldives with a baby (the musts)

Diapers: remember that you’re going to an island and there won’t be a drugstore or supermarket where you can get diapers when you need them. Make your calculation and take with you the amount of diapers you will need during your stay, plus a few extra ones for the journeys.

Everything you normally use for diaper changing on the go.

Breastfeeding scarf: very useful for the plane journey and public areas.

Buoy ring for the baby’s neck: this was probably one of our best buys in 2017. Baby M. could swim freely in the ocean with one of these and we had a lot of fun seeing her enjoying it.

Stroller and Baby carrier: really, take both!

Hat, sunscreen, swimming suit and waterproof diapers for the little one

Blankets: for the journey, for sleeping and an extra for the hotel’s crib

Muslins: they are never enough, are they?

Light clothing: short and long arms onesies, dresses, shorts, etc.

Medicine and thermometer: talk to your paediatrician and ask what he/she recommends for you to take. We took medicine for fever, nose sucker and salt water solution (which ended up being very useful as Baby M. got a running nose during the flight journey), and cream for mosquito bites.

Soap: to quickly wash your baby’s clothes.

Baby food: in case your baby is already eating (Baby M was still only breastfeeding when we were there).

Baby bathtub:  preferably the foldable ones.

Good to know

The Maldives can reach quite high temperatures, so keep your baby hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding like I was, you will notice your baby will need to feed more often. Also, preferably go to the beach early in the morning and later in the day, avoiding the hot temperatures outside.

Previous to our trip I had lots of questions about breastfeeding in public, especially because I was still a newbie in this motherhood world. So if like me you’re also wondering, yes, you can breastfeed in the public areas of the hotel, though discreetly. I had a breastfeeding scarf, which was very handy.

If there is any other specific information you would like us to include here, let us know. If not, we hope the information provided is helpful to you, either to influence your decision or to help you plan your trip.

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Travel Advice: Tips for Travelling to the Maldives with a Toddler

Tips for travelling to the Maldives with a toddler

Pick a family-friendly resort.

Pick appropriate accommodation

Don't expect a honeymoon!

Let your little one find the fun

Get them used to wearing sunglasses

Have more than enough nappies

Don't expect the same foods at home - and not the same every day

Prepare for rainy days

Don't be put off by a long transfer

Once in a lifetime experiences are just as amazing when you have children....

Frances M. Thompson

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Move over, honeymooners: The Maldives is more family-friendly than ever

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

The Maldives has long been synonymous with honeymooners holding hands, walking along impossibly white sands. But couples should now expect to share the pristine beaches with families and kids of all ages.

"I think the days of the Maldives as being purely for honeymooners is well and truly over. So many Maldives resorts these days are set up for families, with amazing kids' clubs and activities," says Mum on the Move blogger, Marianne Rogerson.

Ready to plan that bucket-list trip to the Maldives? Visit TPG's Maldives destination hub for more stories about traveling to the region on points and miles, where to stay and what to do while you're there.

The islands' nearly 200 resorts have cemented the family-friendly idea with their customized kids' clubs. "Five years ago, all of the resort marketing concentrated on couples," said family travel blogger Eric Stoen of TravelBabbo.com . "Now, as more resorts have opened, they've realized that families are a good market and, more importantly, that it's possible to cater to both families and couples."

While there's never a bad time for a family vacation to one of the world's most beautiful destinations, the dry season extends until April in the Maldives, making now a perfect time to visit. If you're craving a far-flung, off-the-grid retreat, pack up the whole family and head to one of these resorts with the best kids' clubs in the Maldives. Just keep in mind: Flying to the Maldives can be an arduous journey, with multiple connections and long flights. So, if you're making the trip with little ones in tow, you might want to build in a brief stopover (or two) on the way there and back.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Soneva Fushi

This sprawling eco-friendly island has the Maldives' largest kids' club, The Den .

" Soneva Fushi has one of the most impressive kids' clubs I have ever seen, with its own swimming pool and waterslide, a Lego room, music room, kitchen for baking classes, and arts and crafts room. We had to bribe the kids with ice cream to get them to leave and come spend some time with us," Rogerson told TPG.

From snorkeling to yoga to crafts (organic face mask; recycled paper), it's impossible for the kiddos to get bored here. Sustainability is at the forefront of the kid-friendly programming, with the goal being to teach them sustainable practices they can take home.

The Den is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and children under 4 must be accompanied by a parent or babysitter available for hire. They also host "Party Nights" from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., including a Pajama Night with a movie at the island's theater and Camp Night with s'mores. Parents can sign their kids up for $15 per child, per hour.

Related: Where to stay in the Maldives using points and miles

Jumeirah Vittaveli

This tropical paradise, just a 30-minute speedboat ride from Male's Velana Airport (MLE), is home to the Maldives' second-largest kids' club, Kuda Koli . The Jumeirah Vittaveli is kid-friendly from the moment you arrive, with welcome gifts for little ones, to the minute you leave with crying kids in tow.

"Many times, the kids are crying because they don't want to go upon departure," says kid's club manager Anna Smirnova.

Kuda Koli has a large pool for kids to splash in, swings, a sandpit, a ball pit and indoor and outdoor areas for them to play games and read books. "We have great facilities here, and our staff is very friendly with team members from different countries speaking many different languages," said Smirnova.

The island's most popular activity is the Treasure Trail. Every Sunday, kids head out on a mission to find seven treasure boxes hidden around the island with fun facts about the island inside. There's also cupcake decorating, water balloon piñatas, a beginner-level acrobat class and movie viewings.

Kuda Koli is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for kids ages 3 to 12 years old. A $25 per hour babysitting service is available for kids under three, and kids under the age of 6 can eat lunch and dinner for free during their time at the kids' club.

Baglioni Resort Maldives

One of the newest arrivals on the Maldives kids' club scene is the Baglioni Kids' Club. The space is compact because most activities take place on their beautiful stretch of beach or in the crystal clear water. There are pool games, boat rides, beach relay races and there's plenty of sandcastle making, so the kid's at Baglioni are fully immersed in nature.

"The kids love to go to the beach and the pool to go swimming. They love to do beach activities like making sandcastles, beach Olympics, swim races and fun pool games," said kids' club attendant Aisthath Hudha.

This Italian-style resort prides itself on its world-class food. So, it's no surprise the kids decorate Italian biscuits, make their own gelato and, soon, will start decorating personal pizzas. Other activities include making crafts with pasta, pirate bandana painting, face painting, a treasure hunt and plastic bottle recycling.

The Kids' Club is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 3 to 6 p.m for kids ages 3 to 12. Guests can request other times and hire babysitters outside hours.

Related: The best ways to get to the Maldives on points and miles

The St. Regis Vommuli Resort

One of the world's most desired points hotels, Marriott Bonvoy members are greeted at the stunning St. Regis Vommuli dock with a big smile and a goody bag for kids.

The Children's Club , much like the five-star resort, is a design lover's dream, with sky-high bookshelves and a tree planted in the middle. There's a large outdoor area for kids to play tug of war, hide-and-seek, ride bikes or play on the pirate ship-shaped jungle gym. Inside, there are dozens of games, playsets, arts and crafts and more to occupy them. On the beach, there are fun activities such as hermit crab races and scavenger hunts.

Next door at Socialite, children and teens ages 11 and older can head to the game room to play pool, air hockey, video games, chess, darts and table tennis. There are also weekly competitions for teens.

The Children's Club is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 1 to 6 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12.

Related: Which Marriott Bonvoy credit card is right for you?

Joali Maldives

One of the Maldives' most impressive new resorts in the archipelago has a kids' club to match. Hana Mariyam, manager of Muramas Kids' Club , told TPG, "This is where we find the magic for the kids."

There's a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities including arts and crafts with sustainable materials, Maldivian language lessons, shadow tag and games in the pool.

Their newest activity is two different scavenger hunts around the island. "The Island of Joy Nature Scavenger Hunt will take kids to spot animals naturally found on the island like crabs, bats and lizards," said Mariyam. The second scavenger hunt will focus on the art around the island. Joali is the Maldives' first art immersive hotel, and the kids will get a map and a clue to hunt for the custom art.

Muramas will soon be expanding in size and adding hammock swings and monkey bars. It's open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for kids ages 3 to 12. If kids are under 3, guests can hire a babysitter for $35 an hour per child for babysitting.

Related: The best credit cards for luxury hotel stays

Bottom line

The Maldives are still a great place to splash out on a honeymoon . But the entire family will love this exotic retreat, especially if you book a stay at a resort that goes to great lengths to keep your kids entertained.

If you're going to splurge on a property like the Soneva Fushi , Joali , Baglioni or Jumeirah , consider booking through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) if you have either The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You could use Membership Rewards points to book your stay — or, preferably, to earn 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Either way, Amex FHR bookings include a room upgrade upon arrival, when available; daily breakfast for two; guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout; noon check-in, when available; complimentary Wi-Fi and a $100 food and beverage credit.

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15 Family Friendly Maldives Resorts With A Kids Club

• Published on February 17, 2022
• by The Mom Trotter
• in Tips & Tricks , Travel , Travel With Kids

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Table of Contents

Are kids allowed in Maldives resorts? Once a destination strictly for couples, some Maldives resorts now not only accept kids, they positively invite them! Does that mean there are family friendly Maldive Resorts? Absolutely!

If you’re planning a family vacation to the Maldives and are looking for kid-friendly resorts, we’ve got you covered!

I’ve compiled a list of the best 15 family friendly Maldives resorts with Kids’ Clubs. They offer plenty of activities for children of all ages, so there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s age-appropriate things like water sports or other games, or just some time away from their parents – these resorts have got it all! 

With crystal clear water and gentle beaches that gradually merge into the ocean, most Maldives resorts will be fun for kids – swimming, snorkeling, building sandcastles and playing beach sports can fill most of their days.

A good Kid’s Club though will turn your family vacation from fun to fantastic!

Four Seasons Kudra Huraa

This gorgeous resort in the North Male Atoll is just 25-minutes from Male International Airport by speedboat. Kids are treated like royalty here, with their own bathrobes, toiletries and a welcome treat when they arrive.

The Kuda Mas (“small fish”) Club is for kids from 4-12 years old. It has an exciting programme of beach and outdoor activities, including crafts and games. Open from 9am-5pm, kids can take part in:

• island gardening projects
• scavenger hunts
• turtle monitoring
• coral reef building
• kid’s yoga
• bubblemaking
• fish feeding
• surf lessons

Paid babysitting services are available for kids aged 1 and over, for a maximum of two kids at a time. It’s a minimum 2 hour service. They don’t allow children under 4 years old in the water during babysitting.

There are plenty of activities for all the family too – tennis, the Marine Discovery Centre, marine safaris, sailing, and of course every kind of water sport imaginable!

There’s a variety of bungalows and villas that can accommodate up to 5 guests. Cribs are available for under 3 year olds.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

This magnificent family friendly Maldive resorts has it all! It’s spread over not one, but two islands, Play and Chill. It’s located 40-minutes south of Male by seaplane.

Kids will love all the different options on offer here. The Explorer Kid’s Club is on the Isle of Play, complete with an outdoor playground, a trampoline, a splash park, a kid’s kitchen, and a stage for children’s shows. It’s open 9:00am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-6:00 pm.

Kids can join one of 4 age-related groups, all of which are free except the Globetrotters.

• Globetrotters: 1 year – 2 years 11 months (paid service)
• Adventurers: 3 – 4 years
• Voyagers: 5 – 7 years
• Pioneers: 8 – 12 years

The various activities include

• wildlife exploration,
• Master Chef cookery classes
• dolphin scouting

Accomodation-wise, choose from an immense array of different rooms, catering for up 22 guests in their largest property.

One & Only Reethi Rah

At this resort in the North Male Atoll, kids are given a special welcome. There’s not one, but two kids’ clubs.

The KidsOnly club is for children aged 4 to 12 and is staffed by a professional team. There’s plenty to keep the little ones occupied here. The all-day programme runs from 10am-10pm and includes

• snorkelling with sea turtles
• arts and crafts
• dress-up play sessions
• treasure hunts
• mini spa sessions

Older children from 13 to 17 can take part in a range of exciting and adventurous activities in the One Tribe Club, from games and sports to educational and cultural activities.

Families can enjoy the climbing wall, badminton and tennis courts, night-time beach bonfires and of course, the many water sports that the Maldives is famous for.

There are villas with or without pools, with occupancy of up to 9 people.

Soneva Fushi

This is one of the largest family friendly Maldives resorts, on the island of Kunfunadhoo in the Baa Atoll, in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Additionally, it’s a 30-40 minute seaplane journey to Soneva Fushi Resort from Male.

Kids aged 4 and over can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities here at ‘The Den’ – a free kid’s club with a difference:

• a pirate ship
• two swimming pools
• a shallow pool for little ones
• a Lego and Duplo room
• dress-up and makeup area
• learning room
• music room and instruments

It’s open from 10am – 5pm.

Teenagers get their own dedicated lounge area in The Den as well as a paid babysitting service.

Mums and dads can get in on the adventures too, with jungle explorations, night sky astronomy sessions, and movies. Indulge yourself at The Ice Cream Room and The Chocolate Room. Go on family expeditions with the resident Marine Biologist.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Marriot’s ‘Little Griffins’ kid’s club is an absolute delight. Different themed structures such as a 13mt pirate ship and different playrooms are set around a shallow kiddy pool. There are daily kids activities to keep your children happy while you enjoy Lounge 18, a sleek clubhouse for adults.

The island Dive and Water Sports Centre offers every kind of marine activity you could hope for. If you’d rather chill out, head to the Spa.

The resort itself is on Vagaru island in the Shaviyani Atoll, an hour from Malé airport by seaplane. It has 60 different villas to choose from, catering for up to 5 guests.

Kanuhuru Maldives

At Kanuhau, not only is the kid’s club (K Club) free, children under 12 stay for free too. The ‘K Club’ makes sure your children have a holiday they’ll never forget with a range of exciting and adventurous activities for 4-11 year olds, including:

• cooking classes
• arts and crafts classes
• fishing trips
• movie nights
• chocolate making classes
• Maldivian drumming (Boduberu)
• hermit crab racing

It’s open daily from 8am to 6pm.

K Club children and teens are also welcome to take part in water sports such as banana tube rides and sailing, as well as explore the marine world with supervision from their dedicated kid’s club counsellors.

Kanuhura is 150 km north of the Male, in Lhaviyani Atoll. There are 80 villas to choose from, the largest of which can accommodate up to 8 guests.

Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences

Another Baa Atoll resort, Amilla is a large island, with few villas on it. To get there it’s a 35-minute seaplane trip from Male.

If you want a family-friendly holiday in a natural setting, you’ll love Amilla. 70% of the island is jungle, with tracks crisscrossing it to walk or cycle along. Homemade and Homegrown are 2 horticultural projects on the island, producing much of its fruit and vegetables.

It has the Sultan’s Village kid’s club for children aged 4 years and above, as well as a separate program for teens.

Sultan’s Village has an indoor and outdoor play area with palm tree swings. It’s open from 9am to 6pm and offers a programme of activities including finger painting and games. There is also a children’s pool.

Babysitting services are available at an extra charge. 

In the restaurants you’ll find children’s menus. 

The whole family can enjoy night time bike rides, DJ music nights, fishing, tennis, football, painting classes and of course, water sports.

There are lots of villa options available but for alternative accommodation, try their Glamping Bubble Tents with private chefs, saunas and plunge pools.

Lily Beach Maldives

This family friendly Maldive resort is on Huvahendhoo island and it has one of the best house reefs in South Ari Atoll. It’s a 25-minute seaplane journey from Male.

The Turtles Kid’s Club at Lily Beach has indoor and outdoor play areas, offering various activities throughout the day for children aged 4-12. The indoor space has air conditioning and not to mention a library and lots of toys and games. There’s a daily program of activities. Kids might find themselves:

• hunting hermit crabs
• going on bike rides
• watching movies
• doing arts and crafts
• snorkeling Alternative titles

There’s also a shallow water children’s pool near the main family pool.

Families can enjoy an excursion together on the resort’s semi-submerged boat.

Como Maalifushi

For families with little kids, Como Maalifushi is an ideal destination. The Como chain of hotels worked with early development experts to create a fun activity program for kids, using ‘history, nature, local culture and science’.

With a focus on health and happiness, the kid’s program includes mindfulness exercises, arts and crafts, cooking classes, sensory experiences and fascinating snorkelling and marine world adventures with the marine biologist.

The dedicated PLAY space includes different zones, active zones for high-energy activities, quiet zones for children to wind down and imagination zones for creative games. There is more focus on social play and activities than on technology-driven games.

Families can enjoy camping out on the beach in luxury tents, overnight stays on a private, uninhabited island, and ‘castaway’ picnics by the ocean. Como offers a range of villa types, the largest of which has 4 bedrooms, so it’s perfect for big family celebrations.

It’s a one hour seaplane transfer from Male Airport.

Furaveri Maldives

To get to Furaveri island, you have the choice of a seaplane transfer or a speedboat ride from Male airport.

Furaveri’s kid’s club is free for 4-11 year olds. The outdoor play area features a shallow kiddies pool with slides. Activity-wise, kids can choose from scavenger hunts, crab races, origami, singing, painting, games. See their weekly activity program here . 

There’s a babysitting service too and the resort has plenty of cots, high chairs and other baby and toddler essentials.

While the children are at Kid’s Club, adults can take advantage of the resort’s ‘Wellness Village’ spa.

Accommodation-wise, there’s plenty to choose from for families, either in family rooms or 2 bedroom Family residences.

Kuredu Resort Maldives

Kuredu is a larger than average Maldives resort, with dedicated areas for families with kids.

The free ‘Max Mermaids & Pirates Club’ kid’s club has a fun and colorful outdoor play area, as well as a weekly schedule of activities – see it here .

It takes children from 3-11 years old. It’s open from 10:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:00. The playground area stays open from 14:00–19:00 but there’s no supervision provided at those times. It’s closed on Sundays. There’s also a paid babysitting service.

With a wide range of room types to choose from, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants, families are well catered for.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

Families with kids are welcomed with open arms at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives on Kandooma Fushi island. Kids under 12 years old stay and eat for free here too. It’s close to Male Airport, so after a quick speedboat ride, you’ll be unpacking your cases.

Their Kandoo Kid’s Club accepts 4-12 year olds, but there are also babysitting facilities on offer. Children have plenty to keep them occupied, including games, a library, a children’s splash pool with water slides, arts and crafts activities and mini snorkelling for kids.

Families can choose from guest rooms to 2 bedroomed villas.

Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives is one of the closest island resorts to the airport – just a 10 minute boat ride away!

Children under 12 stay for free at Bandos, and the Kokko Kid’s Club at Bandos is a free service too. The club is open from 08:00-17:00, for 3-11 year olds. Its daily activity program includes arts and crafts, cooking lessons, treasure hunts, games and storytelling.

Whole family activities range from excursions in glass-bottom boats to table tennis and movie nights.

There is something for every budget at Bandos, from family rooms to luxurious beach residences.

Kurumba Maldives

Kurumba Maldives is a beautiful, lush island resort that the whole family will love. It’s super close to Male airport – only 10 minutes by speedboat – and it has villas for up to 8 guests.

At the Majaa Kid’s Club 4-13 year olds can spend the day doing fun indoor and outdoor activities, including marine biology, fish feeding, bodu beru Maldivian dance lessons, drum lessons, arts & crafts, face painting, puzzles, games and sports. It’s open every day from 9:00–18:00. There are 2 children’s pools but note that these are unsupervised. See their Children Services Factsheet for more information.

They also offer a babysitting service. Baby cots and sterilisers are available.

KIHAA Maldives Island Resort & Spa

Multiple award-winning Kihaa will delight every family member whatever their age. It’s a small resort in Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site that has a fantastic coral house reef. It’s a quick 20-minute boat ride from Male Airport.

At the kid’s club there are indoor and outdoor activities. The beachfront pool has a shallow kid’s section, there’s a playground for kids under 12 and a games room with a range of games such as darts and billiards. Babysitting can be arranged.

Family accommodation ranges from family rooms to Junior Suites that sleep up to 4 guests.

Family-friendly resorts that have a kid’s club are an ideal choice for families of all sizes and ages. These types of resorts offer the perfect balance between providing a tranquil environment to relax in and having fun activities available on-site to keep everyone entertained, and give the adults some free time.

Are you itching to take your family on vacation to the Maldives now?

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Tips for the Maldives with kids: holiday guide

Once upon a time, the Indian Ocean islands were seen as for honeymooning couples only – but with more on offer at resorts for families, all that white sand and turquoise sea is just as tempting if you want to visit the Maldives with kids.

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In fact, with sea and pool, plus some fantastic marine life, my daughter was pretty much in heaven the whole time.

Our first visit to these fabulous islands, on a press trip with Four Seasons resorts, there are a few things to consider to make sure you have the best family holiday though – these are my top tips for visiting the Maldives with kids.

Contents - click to jump to a section

Travel to the Maldives with kids

There are a string of flight routes from the UK to the Maldives so the flight itself can cost less than you expect, especially if you book in advance.

British Airways fly direct between November and March which takes around 11 hours, and there are some charter flights as part of packages, but otherwise you’ll have to stop somewhere along the way.

A lot of the routes travel via Oman and the UAE, including ours with Qatar Airways. The new airport in Doha is clean, efficient and blessedly cool when it’s 35C (or more) outside – we had a 90 minute transfer on the way out, and everything went smoothly.

On the way back it was longer at around 3 ½ hours but there are plenty of seats, plugs and places to get food, plus WiFi. The only drawback for an overnight flight is that the first leg is around 7h and the second is around 6h, so you can never get a long stretch of sleep.

Alternatives include flying via Sri Lanka – some routes from the UK touch down in Male on the way to Colombo (or on the way back) so you effectively get a direct flight. Others require a transit in Colombo itself though.

The rates were cheaper and you get one long leg from the UK to Colombo. Otherwise, alternatives include Singapore Airways via Changi but that just adds extra time to an already long day of travel, as well as some via European cities which tended to be pricier.

It’s worth bearing in mind that even once you land at Velana International, you’ll have another journey to get to the island – ferry if you stay on an inhabited island, speedboat or seaplane to the resorts.

Where to stay in the Maldives with kids?

What’s the transfer like.

To start, consider the transfers you’ll need to take to get to your resort – and if you’re staying at a resort, the options are usually limited.

The first resort that we stayed on was around a 20-minute speedboat ride from the jetty outside the airport – beats the usual airport exit looking for a taxi or bus hands down.

Our second resort was a 35-minute seaplane flight away and the plane was travelling on to two more resorts, so you could easily be looking at an hour with several touch downs.

You also have to be driven around to the seaplane terminal, about 5-10 minutes from the main airport, as well as any wait for the flight – the resorts all have their own air-conditioned lounges with WiFi and drinks, with staff to help with bags, tickets and all the practicalities, which makes it considerably easier.

But it’s worth bearing in mind that after the long-haul flight, you could easily face another 90 minutes or more before you land at your destination – not to mention bumping up the costs (keep reading for budget tips).

If you’re taking a seaplane with younger kids, you might be given ear plugs but it can be worth packing ear defenders for babies and little ones as the planes are quite noisy. We didn’t get any on our second flight and my seven-year-old managed though.

It’s also worth knowing that the seaplane schedule is as laid-back as the rest of the Maldives. You don’t find out the exact time of departure from your resort back to the airport until the night before – and ours changed three times (from 8am to 8.50 within the space of an hour and back to 8.25am the next morning).

What facilities are there?

Does the resort have a kids club, for example? Even if you don’t use it, it shows kids are catered for rather than tolerated.

If you do want your kids to use it – or know that they’ll want to – do check the minimum age requirement. A lot are for age four upwards, although some will allow younger if potty trained.

The different activities will vary as well: along with arts and crafts, you can find fantastic marine conservation programmes where kids can even get involved in helping plant coral.

Some activities will have a minimum age or height restriction, including some of the watersports options and snorkelling tours. If you’re travelling with kids under eight – or more petite ones – you may find the specific activities are more limited.

There’s often babysitting for an additional fee, but again it may only be in the kids club, so if you’re looking for childcare in your own villa, not all resorts have this as an option.

What accommodation is there?

Most resorts split their accommodation between those dreamy water villas set on stilts over the Indian Ocean and land-based options, including beach villas as well as sometimes garden/jungle villas depending how big the resort is.

As an adult, water villas are unbeatable but for kids, the beach villas can be far more tempting. At those resorts where the villas have private pools, they’re normally bigger at the beach villas too.

Some resorts won’t let you check in to the water villas with kids under a certain age, although others are more flexible (though they may insist on a liability waiver to be signed).

There are safeguards as well so toddlers couldn’t open doors and wander out onto the deck, but it depends how happy you are staying right above the water with younger kids – if they’re likely to keep bolting off down the wooden walkways leading to the villas, it’s not going to be as relaxing as you’d like.

With a seven-year-old who can swim (and was under firm instructions not to go outside without me) I loved the chance to sleep above the waves. With a baby, sound seems slightly more muffled between the beach villas which might also appeal!

What about medical facilities?

If your child suddenly starts running a fever, you don’t want to face a long speedboat journey back to Male, or a wait for a seaplane to see a doctor – it’s a major undertaking if you just need reassurance or some antibiotics.

So it’s worth checking what healthcare facilities there are on the island (and taking your own basic first aid kit ). Even if, hopefully, you’ll never need to use them.

The only vaccinations recommended beyond those for everyday life in the UK is tetanus, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to avoid getting extra jabs for younger kids too.

There is no malaria in the Maldives but there is Dengue Fever and Zika, so it’s worth taking mosquito repellent. Resorts often have steps put in place to eradicate the mozzies in the first place, including getting rid of areas where they breed (plus additional fogging at times) and we didn’t encounter any during our stay.

What we did encounter were sand flies – not dangerous but the bites were itchy for the first day or two. I was nibbled about a dozen times, my daughter escaped with a single bite.

How pricy is a holiday in the Maldives with kids?

As with any trip, it depends… since 2009, a change in the law meant that more guesthouses have sprung up on the ‘inhabited’ islands – ie the ones where Maldivians live, as opposed to the uninhabited and resort islands.

Staying there will cut costs considerably – but if you’re after the dreamy luxury of the resort villas, it’s never going to be a bargain.

You can make it less expensive though – for example stay in a resort island closer to the airport, so you can take a speedboat transfer rather than the more expensive seaplane (or look for deals where the transfers are included).

Travel during rainy season (May to November) can also mean you get better deals than during the dry season – we went during half-term at the end of October, and apart from one wet afternoon, managed to avoid anything worse than a light shower the whole week.

It’s also worth looking at all-inclusive deals. Once you’re in the resort, you’re a captive audience for food and drink (and you can’t bring alcohol into the Maldives) so it’s not hard to spend $100 on lunch for a family, more for dinner with drinks with a glass of wine at $20 and main courses starting at $30.

The food is fantastic, and lavish buffet breakfasts mean you won’t go hungry but it’s something to bear in mind if you think you’ve found bargain flights and a great accommodation rate.

Bear in mind too, that you can’t drink the water in the Maldives so you’re reliant on the resort for bottled water – at the Four Seasons resorts, it was all complimentary and more than we ever managed to drink before it was refilled (in glass bottles, happily) but if that isn’t included, you don’t want to be counting the pennies in the heat with kids.

Other tips for visiting the Maldives with kids

Whatever your budget, if you’re staying in a resort, you’re unlikely to actually need any cash – everything is settled by credit card at the end of the stay.

If you want cash to tip, US dollars are absolutely fine (pounds and Euros are also usually happily accepted) so you needn’t get Rufiyaa unless you’re staying in a guesthouse, or taking a trip to one of the local islands (or Male).

It’s worth knowing that if you do get Rufiyaa from an ATM, you can’t change it back to a hard currency, so don’t get carried away!

Take the weather forecasts with a pinch of salt – the information given is usually for Male, and depending where your resort is, some of the islands are miles away.

Even if the forecast does show rain, it’s often a single sharp shower or overnight. Our forecast for the end of the rainy season was almost always quite different from the weather we had – forecast rain never appeared, and the one afternoon of bad weather had been showing as cloud.

It goes without saying to wear a high SPF , even if it is cloudy – the lovely ocean breezes can lull you into a false sense of security, but if the wind drops and the clouds clear, you’re reminded just how hot it is.

If you’re snorkelling, a rash vest and shorts are a good plan – even with SPF 50 on, I regretted not having swimming shorts with me!

For the actual weather on various islands in the atolls, you can watch these live cams – perfect for getting you excited before your trip too.

Time difference

The Maldives are five hours ahead of GMT (or four hours ahead during British Summer Time) – but the resorts may have their own time zone anyway.

Both Four Seasons resorts were one hour ahead of local time.

Things to pack

The resorts do have shops but they’re geared more to souvenirs, beachwear and extra SPF than much else, so unless you know it’s provided, bring your own – especially if you need particular nappies and wipes for babies and toddlers.

Having said that, the bonus of staying in one of the luxury resorts is that a lot is provided. We had life vests for adults and kids in our rooms, which was ideal for snorkelling (or if you’re in a water villa!) as well as on any boat trips.

For the snorkelling trips, you could borrow mask, snorkel and fins as well – we brought our own: my daughter’s all-in-one mask as I knew they wouldn’t be available, plus fins for her small feet , while I chucked in my own mask and snorkel to save borrowing one.

Staff did come over to me on the beach and ask if I wanted fins though.

You could also borrow sand toys, a beach bag, even aftersun lotion in the room (always a bonus if you want to keep your luggage weight down)

If you’re travelling from the UK, you should be able leave the travel adaptors at home too, as the plugs in the resort were standard three-pin sockets.

What to wear

The Maldives are a Muslim country, which means if you’re visiting or staying on one of the inhabited islands, you’ll be expected to dress modestly and to cover up if you’re visiting a mosque.

On the resort islands, you can be as relaxed as you like though.

PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR THE MALDIVES WITH KIDS

Disclosure: My trip was courtesy of Four Seasons resorts but all opinions, tips and sand fly bites are my own, based on our experience. Contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.

Images copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

I have always wanted to travel to the Maldives and was concerned we would be waiting another 18 years once our daughter came along. But I have seen a lot of people traveling there with children lately, so now I am more keen to go than ever. The direct flight with British Airways is also very tempting, as when we lived in Australia it would have taken a lot longer to get there. Thanks for all the great tips, I’ll be sure to check back when we book those flights!

You definitely don’t need to wait – so many of the resorts are really focused on families now (all those honeymooners going back again, I guess! 😀 ) and it really is paradise for them as well. The direct flight is a distinct bonus if you’re travelling in the right months too. Reviews of the two resorts will also be on their way!

Amazing article! A friend of mine is planning to travel to the Maldives with her children and has been trying to find out about the accommodation and medical facilities- will let her know. 🙂 As for me, the blue paradise has always fascinated me! Have always wanted to travel there.

Thanks! I hope she has a fantastic time and that some of the tips are helpful – it really is paradise

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Maldives with kids: 5 important questions to ask before you book

By Keya Khanvte

I often get strange looks when I say I have travelled solo with my son to over 15 islands in the Maldives over the last six years. Though epitomized as a honeymoon destination for its stunning tropical beauty, Maldives also makes for the perfect family getaway. But with over 150 resorts to choose from, selecting the right property is key, especially if you are holidaying with kids. Here are some pointers that will help you pick a child-friendly resort in the Maldives:

Seaplane or speedboat?

Speedboat or seaplane transfers are the norm in the Maldives. Some dock at the jetty, some at a pontoon. Photo: Leonardo Spencer/Getty Images

If you're traveling with an infant or over multiple flights to reach the capital Malé, it's best to pick a resort that is a speedboat ride from the airport. Speedboats are not particularly bumpy, but if you plan to visit during the Maldivian monsoons (June to October) check if the property has larger speedboats, which will be more comfortable.

Some resorts further away are accessible only by seaplane or domestic flights after arriving in Malé. (There may also be a short speedboat transfer from the seaplane to the resort jetty). This will add both to the overall time in transit as well as the cost of the trip.

The tradeoff is that resorts further away from Malé will be more secluded without oil tankers, local boats and speed boats passing by. The remote islands are more likely to have the Robinson Crusoe experience you've always dreamed of. And for older children, the thrill of an aerial ride over the picturesque islands is an unforgettable experience in itself.

Tip: Choose an island about an hour away by speedboat to get the ideal trade-off between a remote island experience and convenience of the commute.

Maldives with kids: Beach villa or water villa?

Heritance Aarah, Maldives

The innumerable villa categories with their varied views may seem confusing at first. The difference in room classification tends to be based on their location:

Set back on the island (Garden or Island villas) or directly on the beach (Beach Villas)

Over the water on the lagoon side of the island with shallow turquoise water (over-water villas), or facing the open ocean (Ocean villas), which usually are the premium categories

Make sure to check the room descriptions on the hotel website or discuss options with an experienced agent as each property categorises rooms in their own way and has their own hierarchy. In some cases, beach villas may be counterintuitively higher up in the classification than water villas.

The water villa experience is a quintessentially Maldivian one and a must especially if the island has a house reef and your children can snorkel. You can step down directly from the water villa to spot stunning marine creatures—manta rays to turtles to reef sharks. Some islands in the Maldives are reclaimed, or artificial islands, and hence have a lower chance of spotting marine life so a quick check on whether it is a natural island is advisable before booking a water villa.

Water villas have direct access to the island lagoon via a narrow staircase, which poses a safety hazard for young children. The water villas are arranged on either side of a wooden walkway open to the lagoon, so young children will require supervision while accessing the villas. Hence, most properties have a minimum age criterion for water villas so reconfirm with the property before booking these. There are resorts that are well-equipped with safety measures like proper railing and child safety locks over the deck and villa. These will allow children of all ages provided you sign a waiver. Families with young children will enjoy beach villas facing shallow island lagoons.

Upgrading to rooms with a better position on the island, with private pools or jacuzzis and preferential views (think sunset views vs sunrise views) can alter the budget considerably. Also keep in mind that the islands vary greatly both in size and the number of rooms (ranging from 30 to over 200 rooms) and a smaller island doesn't necessarily mean fewer rooms. The more premium islands have a lower accommodation density meaning fewer rooms in a given island area and hence more privacy.

Tip: Sunset water villas with private pools are our pick if you want to splurge on the perfect Maldivian experience.

Maldives with kids: Is there enough for the tots?

Kareena Kapoor Khan with her son Taimur Ali Khan at Soneva Jani in the Maldives Photo: Alicia Warner

Arundhati Ail

Muskaan Chandrapota

Prachi Joshi

Unlike other vacation destinations, in the Maldives you are restricted to your island for activities and entertainment. If you would like to have some me-time as parents choose one of the islands where kids can enjoy their time with the resort staff while you indulge in diving, spa treatments or just enjoy some dolcé far niénte in paradise. If quiet evenings aren't for you, there are resorts that offer lively family events including karaoke, live music and club nights, treasure hunts, quiz nights etc.

Most islands have interesting activity schedules for kids, which aren't limited to indoor kids clubs but include group snorkelling, beach Olympics, scavenger hunts, hermit crab races and even after-sunset events like bonfire and marshmallow nights, movie nights and PJ parties.

If you want to introduce your kids (eight years and older) to diving, make sure you choose an island that offers the PADI Bubblemaker introductory course to diving. For older children, some properties even have rock climbing, spa treatments, painting studios and dedicated teen clubs and gaming centres.

Tip: To make it an immersive learning experience for kids, choose an island with a coral adoption program or marine discovery centre where kids can contribute their bit to the environment by planting a coral or learning about rehabilitating sea turtles and other marine creatures

Maldives with kids: full-board meal plan or all-inclusive?

Photo: Baby Angels Photography Dubai/Getty

Unlike standard bed-and-breakfast packages, in the Maldives choosing a package with meal inclusions is a wise choice given the cost of food and beverages. In the Maldives, your meal options range from buffets to dinners by Michelin star chefs. Most small islands have only a couple of restaurants, so if you have fussy eaters or are limited by food restrictions, do research your options.

Make sure you read the fine print when it comes to meal inclusions, as these vary considerably. A full-board includes all buffet meals, which are usually restricted to the all-day dining restaurant and usually don't include even non-alcoholic drinks. After a couple of days, you will crave both variety in food and a change of scenery. This meal plan does not include room service or snacks. So carrying light packaged snacks for in-between meals for kids is a good idea.

An all-inclusive plan, on the other hand, would include all meals, mini bar inclusions. evening high tea, drinks, even complimentary kids club activities, non-motorised water sports or kids spa treatments. This way, you don't have to worry about all the extras during the holiday. These packages also include a-la-carté meals at specialty restaurants unlike the full-board package so you have a more varied choice. Though these were generally offered only at budget resorts; in recent years, several luxury all-inclusive resorts have opened up.

Self-catering isn't an option as most standard villas only have an electric kettle and only larger ultra-luxury family villas or private reserves with multiple rooms have a kitchenette or a full-fledged kitchen, usually along with a resident chef.

Tip: Choose an all-inclusive plan on an island that offers a variety of restaurants with both a-la-carte and buffet options. There are several properties that let kids below 12 stay and eat complimentary, and have a separate kids' menu. Look out for these.

Maldives with kids: What's the plan for medical emergencies?

Most resorts will have a resident doctor, or share one with another resort in the proximity. However, for a serious injury or illness it will be necessary to go to Malé, or to a local hospital at the nearest atoll capital.

Access to even basic medication is both expensive and difficult. Hence, ask about the nearest medical facility, travel with medical insurance and carry a set of medicines, which your child may require in case of a contingency.

There are, however, islands with access to state-of-the-art medical facilities such as ultrasound, X-ray equipment and a decompression chamber (for divers), round-the-clock nurses and even dentists. If your child is planning to pursue the Bubblemaker or a diving course for the first time do check on the facilities available.

The most common risk is long exposure to direct sun. Invest in a coral-safe high SPF waterproof sunscreen, sun-proof rash top or full-coverage swimsuit, and make sure children stay well-hydrated!

Tip: Two simple but essential items to pack besides a medical kit for children are snorkel shoes to avoid cuts and bruises from corals and shells during beach play or snorkelling and an all-natural insect repellent.

Overall with a little more attention to detail, asking nuanced questions and research based on your specific preferences, you can pick the best Maldivian resort for your next family vacation.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What to pack for a baby in the Maldives

By: Author Monica

Categories Family Travel , Maldives , Packing Tips

What to pack for a baby in the Maldives…or anywhere beachy and exotic and gorgeous!

I usually like to travel light – yes, even when I’m travelling with a baby! I’ll buy baby food, nappies and wipes once I reach my destination and usually stay somewhere with a washing machine so I don’t need to pack too many clothes.

But travelling to the Maldives with a baby was a whole new experience for me – I felt like I needed to pack EVERYTHING!

We went straight from the airport to the seaplane which took us directly to our island, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. There was nowhere to stock up on all the baby essentials so we needed to take everything with us.

NOTE: We were told about a couple who visited Coco Palm with a tiny baby and their luggage was lost on the way out there. They had to get formula and nappies and baby clothes delivered to the island. It was possible so you don’t need to panic if your luggage is lost.

Small resorts and hotels always offer a laundry service but it is expensive so it’s best to pack lots of clothes.

Here’s what to pack if you’re visiting the Maldives with a baby

A baby carrier.

Do not travel to the Maldives without a baby carrier. I usually make packing ‘suggestions’ but this isn’t a suggestion, this is a must-pack!

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is entirely sand so getting a pushchair around was difficult. The footpaths were a bit more compact and were fine after it rained but most areas of the island were unsuitable for a pushchair.

If you have a baby carrier you can stroll around the beach and walk wherever you like without getting stuck. A carrier is also great for any situations where you’ll want your hands free – like on a boat or while you’re taking photos.

I recommend the Pao Papoose by We Made Me . It lasts from around 4 months to 2 years, is fully adjustable and gets a big thumbs up from George.

A baby monitor

Make sure you pack a monitor so you can sit outside without worrying while baby is napping or asleep at night. We have the Motorola MBP8 and had batteries in the parent device. This is one of the cheapest monitors on the market but it’s brilliant and I’d recommend it for both home and travel.

• Nappies – and lots of them
• Wipes and nappy bags
• Swim nappies
• Creams and lotions like Bedpanthen or Sudocrem which is also good for insects bites
• Baby friendly suncream in factor 50+
• Baby friendly insect repellent

George modelling his Sunuva outfit perfectly

• Sun hat – preferably with a chin strap so they can’t pull it off
• Swimwear – I love Sunuva for kids swimwear, it’s so cute and everything is SPF 50.
• Swim nappy – The Happy Nappy from Splashabout is a really good option as you don’t need to wear swim nappies beneath it
• A smart outfit or two – Again, Sunuva is great for nice kid’s clothing. George has a little cotton shirt and smart shorts from Sunuva ( find them here ) and he looked so cute.
• 1 x vest or t-shirt for every day
• 3-4 pairs of shorts
• 1 x jacket – For the plane and airport
• 5 pairs of PJs – He mostly just slept in a vest but it depends if you like to have the aircon on at night

Pushchair – We took an umbrella stroller as it’s easiest to travel with. They fold down to be small and are easy to get on and off the plane – even the tiny seaplane. Strollers do have tiny wheels so they can be difficult to push through the sand. We saw another family with the Bugaboo Chameleon and they breezed through the sand thanks to the chunky tires. I was slightly jealous but I don’t think it was worth the extra effort of lugging a big pushchair out there.

Swim inflatable – Make sure you get one for the right age group. I bought a big one for George and it was too big and he couldn’t see over the edge and flopped about in it.

A light blanket – Pack something to drape over the pushchair in case you’re in the sun or baby falls asleep at dinner. I like the blankets from Panda and Sparrow. They’re made from bamboo so they’re UV resistant and super soft.

Disposable bibs  – Great for the plane

Bibs with sleeves – Opt for plastic, wipe clean ones so you can wash them in your room

I took enough pouches of food to last George for the entire holiday. We were away for 8 days and he has 2 pouches per day so I think I took about 25 with me (just in case!)

I think we could have asked the chefs to mush him up some food but I preferred to have meals I knew he’d enjoy; I would have been panicking at the thought of him going hungry. I packed Weetabix which he has with formula for breakfast, Ella’s Kitchen pouches for main meals and fruit pouches for deserts.

George had just turned 6 months when we went to the Maldives so he wasn’t quite feeding himself. We gave him food from the buffet like bread rolls and fruit but this was mostly to keep him quiet.

We had one tin of formula and 4 bottles. I took microwavable sterilising bags from Medela with the intention of asking the kitchen staff to sterilise his bottles. I actually didn’t end up doing this and I thoroughly cleaned the bottles in our room and rinsed them a few times with boiling water.

If you plan to do this, don’t forget to pack washing up liquid and a bottle brush.

You could also use Milton Sterilising Tablets but you’ll need some kind of bucket to keep the bottles submerged.

If you’re breastfeeding it’s much easier!

You might also like to read:

What to pack for a toddler on a plane

What’s it’s really like to travel to the Maldives with a baby

What to pack for a holiday to the Maldives (the adult addition)

How to spend your birthday in paradise in the Maldives

Teeny, tiny turtles hatching in the Maldives

Healthy holiday habits I’m bringing home from the Maldives

Arriving in paradise at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

I said ‘Yes’ (Yes, this happened while we were there too!)

What to pack in your carry on for a long flight

The holiday low-down

I flew to Male with Turkish Airlines . I departed from Birmingham with a 3-hour layover in Istanbul – a good choice if you’re travelling with little ones!

I stayed at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu for 6 nights in a Deluxe Villa on a full board basis.

Massive thanks to Visit Maldives for helping to organise my trip

My ultimate baby and toddler holiday packing list

Wednesday 13th of June 2018

Hi, Great blog! We are flying out to the Maldives in a week with our 8th Month baby. We have been informed that they have reverse osmosis water but I was wondering. What did you do in regards to Milk etc? Did you take powdered or ready made?

TheTravelHack

Thursday 14th of June 2018

We took powdered formula and used the bottle water (boiled) that they provided at our resort. George was absolutely fine with that.

Monday 13th of November 2017

I have just come across your blog post and it has filled me with inspiration for our belated honeymoon to the Maldives with our 8 month old in December. Just a question as i'm wondering what to take... did you take you car seat with you? We have not paid for a seat on the international flight so it will not be needed here but notice you took a car journey to seaplane? Did you need one here?

Hi Keeley, you're going to have the best time!

No we didn't take a car seat. We did have a very very short car ride but we just held George on our laps. It was less than 2-3 minutes in the car and it was a very slow road so I think it would be a lot of effort for such a short journey. I know that's not technically the right answer but if we went again we wouldn't take a car seat.

I hope that helps and you have a great holiday!

Monday 16th of October 2017

Im loving your blog already! Searched around for tips to travel with a baby to Maldives and I found your blog! Will be sharing with other friends too. Cant wait for Maldives!Hi from Malaysia!

What it's really like to travel to the Maldives with a baby - The Travel Hack

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

[…] Read all of my blog posts from the Maldives here, including tips for flying long haul with babies and a packing list for travelling to the Maldives with a baby. […]

Zen BabyTravel

Tuesday 23rd of February 2016

Hey Monica and welcome to the wonderful world of travelling mothers ! I love Maldives & diving around, we saved it a bit later for the little ones :) But we've done plenty of other exotic travels with the first baby / now toddler including Mauritius, Dominican Republic, UAE, Grenadines - https://zenbabytravel.wordpress.com/category/tested-destinations-2/. Happy to share any needed tips & tricks, travelling is a bit more complex but still a joy !

Visiting The Maldives With Kids

Visiting the Maldives with kids appeared to be quite a surprise to some of my followers on Instagram . It’s crazy how many people think the Maldives is predominately for couples on honeymoon.

There are tonnes and tonnes of fantastic resorts and hotels in the Maldives with kids club, not to mention many activities which are family-friendly.

Needless to say, it can be a trip which can work out quite costly, so for many, it is the perfect ending for a trip to nearby countries such as Sri Lanka or India .

Some resorts have age restrictions for children with some not accepting babies or even toddlers .

There are quite a few things to consider especially if you want to stay in a water bungalow. Many resorts have beach villas which may be more suited to families with younger children.

Similarly, nearly all of the resorts and hotels are either boat trips or seaplane journeys from the airport. Some transfers are costly, especially where a seaplane is required.

Not to mention, some boat transfers can take over an hour which may not be ideal after a long flight. This may dictate your choice of resort, especially if the trip is just a few days.

There are some incredible resorts in North Mali which is, for the most part, only a 15-minute boat transfer from the airport. Some resorts offer the transfer for free which is an added bonus.

You may think the islands close to the airport are not as nice, however, this is not the case at all. The islands nearby are exactly what you’d expect of the Maldives with white sand and aqua blue crystal clear water and palm tress galore.

Maldives For Kids

Table of Contents

Male Airport

There are a couple of international airports to choose from, however, we flew into Male Airport . It’s a small airport which is pretty quick to pass through. Remember to fill out the landing forms for each passenger before arrival.

Once you’ve collected your bags and passed through to the arrivals hall, pretty much all resorts and hotels have a stationary desk within arrivals. They are also hovering with signs for their respective resorts right at the exit.

They will escort you to the desk to start the check-in process for the transfer. Sometimes there may be a wait for the transfer with some lasting up to 90 minutes. There is an air-conditioned food court with seating to wait in.

We only had to wait around 30 minutes before boarding the boat from the dock right in front of the airport.

Our transfer across the water to Oblu Fushi Experience Resort was only around 15 minutes. More about the resort in a moment!

It is a good idea to get a local sim card in the airport if you want really good Wifi as we found it to be very slow and patchy at our resort.

Check out flights to the Maldives here .

Where To Stay In The Maldives With Kids

There are so many options when it comes to visiting the Maldives with kids and the choice may be dictated by budget!

Some resorts can cost thousands and thousands of dollars, whilst local islands can cost just a few hundred dollars for a whole week for a family!

We stayed in what I would describe as a mid-range resort when it comes to budget. However, it really ticked a lot of boxes of what I’d expect of a high-end resort (without the huge price tag).

We chose Oblu Experience Experience in North Mali for quite a few reasons. It appeared to be one of the best Maldives resorts for kids. Here is why!

Location & Cost Of Oblu Fushi Experience

Oblu Experience is based in North Male which is only 15 minutes by boat from the main airport. This is the perfect distance for those coming off a long flight to the Maldives with kids.

Similarly, the resort offers a free transfer from the airport which is another added bonus as it can be quite costly.

Oblu Fushi Experience is an all-inclusive resort with set meal times at the main restaurant and an open bar throughout the day. There is a schedule of free activities. However, watersports come at an additional price.

In terms of cost, we found it to be one of the more affordable resorts for families. We did travel in high season which is the month of April and booked last minute, so different dates may vary.

However, we paid $170 USD PPPN for an all-inclusive with a free airport return transfer.

Check out Oblu Experience prices for your dates here.

The Accomodation

There are quite a few accommodation options at Oblu Experience . There are many overwater bungalows which look absolutely incredible. Each has a set of stairs leading into the open water which has insanely good snorkelling opportunities.

However as we were travelling with twin toddlers, we decided an overwater bungalow was too risky and so we opted for a beachfront family room which was incredible when visiting the Maldives with kids.

The family room featured really snazzy bunk beds with built-in secret drawers in the stairs leading to the upper bunk.

The kids also had their own bathroom. In the main bedroom were an ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and a window seat which also turned into an additional bed allowing the suite to accommodate 5 people!

The main room led out onto a small patio surrounded by green foliage for privacy immediately followed by a beautiful beach. It was the ideal spot to hang out and watch the sunset.

My parents were travelling with us when we visited the Maldives with kids and they were staying nearby in a one-bed beach bungalow.

It was a very similar set-up to the family suite minus the en-suite room with bunk beds. It had direct beach access, an outdoor bathroom and a roomy bedroom, also with a relaxing window seat.

The resort is quite long and so the distance from the main restaurant and swimming pool can feel like quite the trek, especially in the heat. There are regular buggy transfers circling the island and bringing guests to and from their rooms.

Luckily, umbrellas are provided in each room which makes the walk to different facilities a lot more bearable in the warm weather.

Maldives Resort With Kids Club

The kids club at Oblu Experience is strategically placed quite close to the family suites. It’s a beautiful space with shallow pools, astroturfed outdoor areas, and a number of different indoor rooms with various activities.

There is a daily schedule of activities suitable for different ages and features everything from cupcake decorating to traditional crafts and dancing to games.

Some of the indoor rooms had activities suitable for toddlers whilst the rooms on the first floor had things for tweens and older children.

The staff were really lovely with the kids and were accommodating with requests such as vegan options for the cake decorating.

Our daughter loved the traditional Maldivian craft session the most. They made necklaces and decorations from leaves.

Children over four years old can be signed into the kids club without their parents if they wish. There is a daily complimentary buffet at the club with a variety of child-friendly meals.

The kids club is a welcome afternoon break from the beach when it is particularly hot. The club most certainly makes Oblu Experience one of the best Maldives resorts for kids and families.

The Facilities & Activities

Aside from the kids club, there are tonnes of other facilities and activities to enjoy on the island.

The whole island is surrounded by a beach, however, one particular section close to the main bar and restaurant has many sunbeds, with the water-sports desk nearby making it one of the most attractive areas to hang out.

The beach is full of white sand and coral and the water is incredibly clear. In fact, you can see shoals of fish right on the edge of the water with baby sharks chasing them.

Our kids found some beautiful shells on the beach and had so much fun on the floating trampoline. They spent lots of time diving into the water from the trampoline at high tide, another reason why we found it to be the best resort in Maldives for kids.

On the other side of the island which is just a short walk from the main area is a beautiful lagoon which is protected by a reef. It is the perfect place for children to snorkel. We saw shoals of fish and baby sharks.

There wasn’t any coral inside the lagoon however beyond the rocks there was a more diverse sea bed and more sea life. However, it is really important to pick the correct tide to swim beyond the reef and it may not be suitable for children to do.

To see the more diverse underwater life it is best to stay in an overwater bungalow as it offers direct access.

Underwater Restaurant

Oblu Experience also has one of the largest underwater restaurants in the Maldives. The experience has to be booked in advance and is not included in the all-inclusive package.

It features large glass windows looking out onto a coral bed with a variety of fish. This is a dress-up event so make sure to bring something nice if you intend to go to the underwater restaurant. The price of a child is significantly less than an adult.

Much to our son’s delight the resort has an astroturf football pitch with games scheduled throughout the week.

There were a number of other activities including group fitness in the form of aqua aerobics, volleyball, dance classes and walkathons. Not to mention live music, karaoke and themed nights at the restaurant.

The overwater gym has to be one of the dreamiest places in the world to work out! It was in its very own overwater bungalow. It was well equipped with all the necessary equipment including personal trainers on hand!

Needless to say, the watersport centre had tonnes of available activities and excursions. From paddle boarding and kayaking at the lower end of the cost spectrum to jet skiing, diving and boat rentals.

The day trips from Oblu Experience were expensive and in some cases quite long. For example, the snorkelling trip was four hours which is fine for adults and older children.

Other day trips included swimming with the manta ray. The trip to see dolphins however was only an hour and a half.

F&B at Oblu Experience

Oblu Experience has a main restaurant area with tonnes of seating and a huge international buffet, salad bar and many desserts through lunch and dinner. As vegans we found plenty of options and personally, I hovered (a lot) in the Indian food section.

There is a cute coffee shop which serves fancy cakes and has many top-notch wines for sale. It is a beautiful area, however, it is not included in the all-inclusive.

The main bar area served alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. In the same area were two self-serve popcorn machines which (I swear) my kids visited tens of times a day!

It was the perfect snack between meals and the kids absolutely loved it.

In summary, The Reasons We Chose Oblu Experience

• It is only a 15-minute speedboat from the airport which is also included in the price of a stay.
• It has incredible family rooms with bunk beds for the older kids.
• The kids club is really amazing for kids of all ages.
• The reviews were really good online. Some resorts are astronomically priced for families, however, Oblu Experience was a quarter of the price in comparison to some and still appeared on the surface to have similar reviews and facilities to some of the top resorts.
• There are so many activities for families both on the water and at the resort. From football to movie nights and snorkelling to arts and crafts.

What To Pack For The Maldives With Kids

Many resorts are all-inclusive which is probably a pretty good idea since taxes are insanely high in the Maldives.

It makes everything super expensive. Bring everything you need, be it suncream or a bucket & spade to play on the beach when visiting the Maldives with kids. Here are some things to pack for a trip to the Maldives with kids.

• Package Included – 3PCS Silicone Collapsible Buckets (red, grean and yellow, castle-like appearance)
• Unique Design – Our foldable pail bucket has a castle-like surface: containing items while helping kids…
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Check out this collapsible bucket for the beach here .

A good fitting snorkel and mask. There are plenty of opportunities to snorkel everywhere!

• 【Panoramic 3 Window Snorkel Mask】 3 window design for a panoramic view with tempered glass lens and…
• 【Anti-fog & Crystal-Clear Vision 】When you’re underwater, your breath can fog up the lens of snorkel…
• 【Comfortable Leak-Free】This snorkel set diving mask the skirt is big and soft silicone straps can be…

Check out this top-reviewed snorkel here .

You could take flippers, however, they are quite bulky and it’s possible to rent them, you don’t necessarily need them to snorkel close to the shore.

• Adjustable Open Heel Design, Good for Sharing – The open-heel design means each fin can accommodate a…
• Wears Comfortably, Support Various Way to Put On – Carefully select high quality material, soft foot…
• Reminder: Please purchase sizes up if wear with dive booties together

Check out these travel flippers here .

Make sure to bring a large beach bag to hold all of the bits and bobs during the day.

High-factor water-resistant sun cream and after-sun cream are also super important.

Bring 2- 3 pieces of swimwear per person minimum. You are likely to spend most of the day in swimwear.

Buckets & spades cost up to $20 in the Maldives ( I made this mistake), bring some silicone foldable ones from home which you can buy on Amazon.

It never really gets cold in the Maldives. Other than a layer for the aeroplane, you will not need any layers.

Make sure to bring sunhats and sunglasses. The sand is super reflective in the Maldives as it is so white and the days are mostly clear. Make sure to bring something to protect the kid’s eyes.

Waterproof shoes are a really good idea for the beach in the Maldives with kids. Many of the beaches look like white powder sand in the photos.

No products found.

However, many are made up of coral and can be quite sharp to walk on so it’s really worth having something to avoid being uncomfortable.

There are going to be lots of opportunities to take photos underwater. Having a good underwater camera is a fantastic thing to have to capture the moment. We use a GoPro and it has been worth the investment, we use it pretty much everywhere, not only in the water.

• Revolutionary New Image Sensor: expansive field of view ever on a HERO camera out of the box. This gives…
• Unbelievable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than 4K and an incredible…
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We needed a break from the sun by the middle of the day. After lunch each day we ventured back to the room. Some of our kids napped whilst others relaxed and watched movies.

Needless to say, they were all desperate for a rest (even though they didn’t realise that themselves). Bring a tablet or something that will help them chill out and take a time out.

• SAVE UP TO $60: Get a full-feature tablet (not a toy) made for big kids ages 6–12, and includes 1 year…
• FASTER WITH LONG LASTING BATTERY – Features all-day up to 13 hour battery life, enhanced hexa-core…
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This may not be necessary for older kids but we really needed our kiddos to take a rest to make it through to the evening.

We also brought some familiar snacks and smoothie pouches for our babies. The resort was flexible and willing to take requests in advance.

However, as an all-inclusive resort, the times for meals were set with dinner starting at 7 pm which didn’t really work for us. It was handy to have a few options in our room. This will vary from property to property.

The Best Time To Visit The Maldives With Kids

The best time to visit the Maldives with kids is during the dry season from November through April. The monsoon season experiences rough seas and stormy days.

Temperatures range from 24 to 21 degrees Celsius throughout the dry season. However it is important to note, the humidity sits around 80% which can make the weather feel even warmer.

We visited in April and definitely needed midday breaks from the sun. During the dry season, water visibility is incredible reaching 20-30 metres when we went snorkelling in the Maldives with kids.

Things To Consider When Visiting The Maldives

• Don’t forget to buy travel insurance to travel to the Maldives with kids. There was a small clinic in the resort which covered minor issues. It was a free service, even the prescribed medicines were free of charge.
• Hospitals are quite hit-and-miss in the Maldives with varying reviews online so travel insurance is important.

The plugs used are type D and G which is the UK 3-pin rectangular shape. Pick up an adapter here if needed.

• [No. 1 travel adapter brand] equipped with 1 universal input, 2 USB (2.4a) & 1x Type C USB – perfect for…
• [Charge 3 devices at once]: 1 universal input, 2x USB port allow simultaneous multi-device charging at…
• [Type a, I, C, G output] type a can be used for Japan, United States, Canada, Mexico. Type I…
• Don’t forget to do the landing and departure forms for passengers . Yes, you even have to do the forms to leave the country. It is best to do this in advance, however, if you forget, there are QR codes in departures to do the forms. There is no point approaching immigration until it is complete.
• If you have the option to choose a seat en route in or out of the Maldives, make sure to book a window seat to admire the beauty of the islands.
• As soon as you arrive in the Maldives the temperatures are full on with limited AC space. Make sure to have appropriate clothing ready to hand for arrival.

If you choose a different resort further afield in the Maldives with kids consider taking sea bands for anyone who gets sea sick in the family.

• 🍬motion sickness bands great for reducing morning sickness, pregnancy sickness, sea sickness, car…
• 🍬nausea wristband works by pressure on the Nei-Kuan acupuncture points on each wrist by means of a…
• 🍬The most healthy way for motion sickness relief, no drugs, no side effects.Simple, Safe & Natural…
• Try to choose a flight which arrives in the morning which will give you a full day and make the most of the time.
• For babies, make sure to bring wipes, diapers and any formula required.

I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to the Maldives with kids. Not least, I hope you picked up some tips for your trip! If you visit, please let me know, I love hearing from my readers, leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you.

If you are looking for any other family trips, be sure to check out our destinations page full of worldwide itineraries and tips. Not to mention family travel gear reviews and generic travelling with children tips .

If you feel this post has been helpful and you’d like to buy me a virtual coffee, you can do so here – thank you !

Disclaimer: This post about visiting the Maldives with kids contain affiliate links, by using them, will not cost you any extra, and we will receive a small commission to keep us writing.

Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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The Ultimate Guide for a Family Holiday in Maldives

This is the Ultimate and most complete Guide for a Family Holiday in Maldives. Since 2007, we’ve stayed in more than 20 resorts with our son. I share here with you our most memorable experiences and information you may need to help you find your dream resort for you and your family in the beautiful Maldives. ENJOY !

Are you Dreaming of Family Holiday in Maldives ? YOU’RE AT THE VERY RIGHT PLACE !

Table of Contents

Here is everything you need to know for a family holiday in maldives., which resort should you choose with your children and according to your budget , kids clubs in maldives wait, no too fast. it deserves a bit of history first…, the top 10 things to do that maldives kids clubs have to offer, family time. my personal photo album.

La Version Française est  ici  !

PART 1. INTRO. The story. ( The part 2 is now separated in another post )

Our son has always come to the Maldives with us since he was 2,5 years old . He is now a teenager. ..

I’ve put you some photos from my personal album at the end of the second part of this article . They are simple yet great moments of happiness we had along the years with our “ little one “.

Remark : You can now discover all the featured Family friendly Resorts here. I had to create a separate article dedicated to the resorts and their Kids Clubs .

Don't Miss

The Best Family Beach Villas in Maldives. Dreamy Selection

• September 1, 2020

The Best Child-friendly Resorts in Maldives, all the Kids-Clubs. The List.

• October 23, 2010

This year, besides the usual kids club programs and activities , I’ve also added more photos of the listed resorts, some kids menus, photos of family Villas and everything I estimated important to chose the best resort for you and your family.

You will find in this essential lis t the following Resorts : 

. Update . May 2020 This post was getting too long after so many years. You can now discover all the featured Family friendly Resorts here

• OZEN at Maadhoo
• Centara Grand Resort
• Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
• Six Senses Laamu
• Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives
• Sheraton Full Moon | Kuramathi
• Shangri-La’s Villingili
• Lily Beach Resort and Spa 
• The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives 
• Dusit Thani Maldives
• Soneva Fushi
• Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
• Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
• One & Only Reethi Rah
• …the list constantly evolves

Spend a family holiday in Maldives. Summary

Photos & Souvenirs of our various stays…

I’ve added some more photos from my personal album at the end of the second part of this article 🙂

It all started in 2007, here on Dreaming of Maldives…

…. I was receiving a lot of requests from parents asking  where to stay with children in Maldives …and what are the (most) child-friendly Resorts. So, instead of answering individually, I thought it would be a good idea ( for me and for you 🙂 ) to give you on Dreaming of Maldives blog an  updated list of all the child-friendly Resorts  of the archipelago.

I wish to say, before sharing the “Graal” with you, that we have visited many of them, but most important, that our son who stayed many months with us in Maldives since he was 2,5 years old has been pampered and entertained in most of them.

We keep on discovering new Kids Clubs each time !

______________________________

Important note to our readers:  Choosing the perfect holidays is a very personal affair.

I am dedicated to helping you find the best Maldives resort for you and your children, but I am not able to present you a list of resorts as everything depends first on your budget, you and your personal requirements ( apart from the kids club of course )

Here is how I can help you : I suggest you to first submit our list online or to your favorite travel agent and see  where and when you could stay with your budget.

– Be aware that some agents and/or websites have different prices, so do not hesitate to compare. – Once you’ve got a first “selection”, come back to me via the comments and I will guide you to make it really perfect. This said, enjoy !

If you are an independent traveller and wish to organise your family trip by yourself, you will find some Selected Maldives Family Holiday Packages .

Parents, read carefully what follows as today I will guide you through an idyllic journey into the romantic but still family-friendly Maldives ! After all, isn’t it a Dream ?

There was a time, not so long ago, when we use to go to the Maldives with no children…at all….

The destination was far to be family-friendly for various reasons : the absolute Romantic atmosphere, the strong Equatorial Sun, the distance from Europe, but the main one was the complete lack of activities ( excepted for snorkeling ) for the little ones.

The structures and leisure choice of the Maldives resorts were dissuading most of us to travel with our children, leaving us with an exciting feeling of real intimacy but sometimes tainted with bitterness and nostalgia.

The perfect balance

For years, Maldives Resorts have received many unsolvable requests from their guests who wanted more than a  Baby sitting  – a service that was not always available, outrageously expensive or had to be booked days in advance -.

As traveller’s exigencies were continuously increasing, Resort Managements had to face an inevitable challenge : combine and maintain the tranquillity, the intimacy and the Romanticism of the Resort with the presence of children .

The challenge was not that easy, considering the legendary concept of the destination.

How to satisfy everybody ? Honeymooners, couples, families and children themselves ? How to preserve the Magic ? The answer lies in a creative and thoughtful idea : to make stylish, fun and surprising Kids-Clubs. The challenge is nowadays accomplished . Today, our children can also enjoy the Maldives dream, parents can finally enjoy some romantic holidays and Honeymooners and couples still embrace the complete feeling of being on a private Hideaway.

It is important mentioning that even though these kids clubs are magnets to many holidaying parents,  none of the resorts will ever look nor feel like a kindergarten .

Kids-clubs and Kids activities are always managed separately and discretely so that they do not interfere with the serenity and ambiance of the island. The first Kids Club were first introduced by 5 Stars Luxury Resorts, around 2009, which is relatively new for a tourist destination of 40 years ! Luckily, today, many 4 Stars Resorts also provide their guests with this cool service.

Perfect Places for our kids

Kids Activities in Maldives

Unlike many kids clubs available around the world, the small structures of the kids clubs of the Maldives Resorts allow your children to have access to  extraordinary activities :

• Cooking with a Chef
• Being a Marine Biologist
• Private excursions on board of dhonis
• Learning Maldivian Nature with adventures and discovery of the island in small groups
• Learning Maldivian Culture with songs and dances
• Art and crafts made from local items (sand,coconuts) to develop children’s creativity
• Spa treatments
• Treasure Hunts
• & so much more…

Besides usual kid’s activities, kids clubs also offer great fun : treasure hunts, outdoor and indoor sports and games, playgrounds, sand castle building, shell finding, crab races, PlayStations, TV, books, films etc…

Some Kids-clubs also propose lunches and/ or diners to the children, giving the parents the opportunity for a Tête-à-Tête.

More and more, in a constant search for Guest satisfaction, Resorts keep their Kids-Clubs open until 9.00 pm or even 10.00 pm. How late it can appear, this opportunity can be very useful in case of a night-diving or snorkeling… The ideal time will be at around 7.00 pm, giving couples the pleasure to enjoy the dreamy Sunset time starting around 6.00 pm.

Family Holiday in Maldives The Best Kids Clubs – THE LIST

You can now discover all the featured Family friendly Resorts here I had to create a separate article for all the Kids Clubs .

My Personal Album. 12 years in Maldives in a few photos 🙂

Personal Photos

First A Photo from my personal Album in answer to Emna, Sarah, Prasad, Martha… and to all parents who wish to spend a holiday in Maldives with their little ones… Maldives are great for them too.

Maldives open their mind and awakens their senses. It’s also wonderful time to discover Nature.

Happiness in Maldives along the years…

These photos were shot during various stays in Maldives. Along the years, our son has learnt to enjoy any moment. From a very special bike ride to cruises on my beloved Dhonis, time is fun, time is unforgettable but always close to nature.

Last note : some resorts do not have Kids Clubs, but they are still a great place to stay with our kids 😉

A VERY COOL BIKE RIDE AT GILI LANKANFUSHI MALDIVES ! there is no Kids Club BUT, it’s a fantastic resort for kids and family time ! Mr or Mrs friday can take care of your child with many activities like snorkeling, watersports, cooking lessons, sport, spa, marine biology…you name it 🙂 PS : YOU WILL NOTE THE COOKIE IN HIS HAND…

OUR BIKES AT SIX SENSES LAAMU. EACH BIKE HAS OUR INITIALS !

Some resorts provide everything for our kids like bathrobes, shower and beach slippers… They look super classy ! Here, our son contemplates the Dreamy view from his deck  thinking about the busy program that awaits for him at the kids club. Life can be so difficult sometimes …

Learning to Dive at 8 years old . Even saw reef sharks ! How cool is that ??

FASCINATED BY SEAPLANES…

UNTIL ONE DAY…

Continue reading In the second part of this Family Friendly Resorts you will find most of the Maldives Resorts that offer a Kids Club with all essential information.

More and more resorts offer a kids club and facilities for kids. I’ve added them hereunder for your reference.

Click on a resort to explore more.

• Lux* Maldives
• Hideaway Maldives
• Velaa Private Island
• Kihaad Maldives
• Holiday Inn Kandooma
• Cheval Blanc Randheli
• Angsana Velavaru
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
• JA Manafaru
• Constance Halaveli
• Anantara Dhigu
• Anantara Kihavah
• Amilla Fushi
• St Regis Vommuli

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I am Rozenn, Dreaming of Maldives Founder and Editor. Expat for several years in Maldives, I keep on exploring the archipelago and share here my most beautiful Stories and Experiences. Since 1999, we travel to the Maldives several times a year for [ more... ]

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20 comments

Hello, thanks for the great effort.

This was really useful.

My baby girl is 18 months and I was wondering where will the babysitter stay with my kid. Is it possible to stay with her at the Kids Club ? as I think it’ll be much more fun to her than staying in our room.

and one more question, I know babysitters are paid per hour, what about the kids club ?

Hello Danya ! Yes you can stay in your baby kids clubs in most of the resorts. Ideally you should always contact your chosen Hotel to reconfirm 🙂 and be sure that nothing changed. Kids clubs are free. Sometimes with extra charges at certain times of the day ( evenings late for example ) but that is rare. Dreamfully yours Rozenn

We’ve recently returned from an amazing 12 days with our boys age 4.5 and almost 2 years old, we spent a wonderful week at Angsana Velavaru on [URL hidden] and thereafter 5 days with friends at Vilu Reef – beautiful of course but less positive about the second hotel. Greetings from London!

Maldives is a little Island but it is fill with natural beauty. Those who love beaches and water travel should visit Maldives once. This is also very good for kids. I have a very gentle feeling about this Island.

Hello, Thanks for all the detailed information. We are traveling with our kids 13 year old daughter and 11 year old son. They would love to make new friends in their respective clubs. They prefers all water activities like snorkeling, banana boat,etc.. Any recommendations. Thanks

Us too with our 13yr old daughter and 11 year old son – where did you book and any feedback please?

Hello, thank you so much for those incredible information. I have been to the Maldives for my honeymoon back in 2011 and stayed at the Kurumba resort. I was great but it was not mind blowing. I now have a 4 year old son and we are planning to go back to Maldives for our anniversary, however I want to try a different resort this time around. Could you please tell me the top all inclusive resorts that also has decent options for my son? I just don’t want him to be bored but he won’t be staying at the kids club all the time so it’s not a priority. Thank you.

Comment…Hello we would prefer all inclusive/half board family resort in Maldives. I have looked at several option and I am on the verge of a mental meltdown This will be our first time in Maldives, so we looking for the WOW factor. We will be travelling with a 12 year old boy -no siblings. Prefer water sport (banana boats/kayak/wakeboarding/diving/snorkelling/parasailing etc), other fun activities, good seafood and having fun.

Most resorts have a kids club for young ones – 11 yrs. So we looking for a pre-teen /teen club with loads of activities.

Kindly advise further Thank You Regards

Please send me a request via email or contact your local travel agent. Thank you. Kind regards, Rozenn

Hello, I’m looking for recommendations for 4 days/3 nights in January for my family of four with a 3.5 yr old and a 1 yr old. I’m looking for a family friendly resort with a great kids club especially for the 3.5 yr old plus somewhere that will allow for the 1 yr old to visit with one of the parents. Also of importance is a great snorkeling location at the resort for adults and kid. I need a location that has a wonderful beach with activities that will keep them entertained.I would prefer a resort that only requires a speed boat transfer or quick sea plane. The budget would probably be around $1000 per night if possible.

Hello, Congratulation on your web-site and the information you have put together. I have searched the Net a lot and yours seems to be the most informed and neutral at the same time.

You don’t mention the Hideaway Beach resort ? is it because you don’ t think it should be included in your list or because you don’t have any info or opinion on it ?

I am taking my wife and 4 kids ( 12, 10, 6, 2 ) in October. Initially I was going to go to the LUX as there seems to be a consensus on their children activities although the snorkeling doesn’t seem to be the best. But I was proposed a deal on Hideaway’s ” palace villa” and I am now hesitating.

Thank you very much for your help,

Dear Olivier,

I do not recommend Hideaway anymore as management and concept have radically changed. I am sorry.

All the best, Rozenn

Hello, First of all, let me congratulate you on putting all that list together. Not only is it extremely comprehensive, but it is also very useful! I plan to travel to Maldives in October/November, with a group of 3 couples + 3 children (3,5,7 years old). All adults are divers and would like to dive a lot, so I wonder whether you could recommend, within your list, resorts which have the best diving sites around as well as shore diving (which really helps when traveling with children…) Thanks a lot!

Hello dear Sanji ! Thank you SO much for your comment 🙂 I would be happy to help you but I cannot properly advise you without more details about your budget & wishes. Feel free to Contact me directly via email so I can properly guide you, Rozenn.

Hi. Thank you so much sharing infomations… I absolutely admire you. I would like to have advice from someone like you… We are coming to Maldive family for 4. 2adult 2kids, 5yo and 2yo. trying to find a kids club for my younger one.. but from my reserch I could not find one.Do you know any resort where there is 2yo can use kids club facility without nanny or parents supervise? I think 2yo is not easy age so perhaps there isn’t. but if you know, please share with me.

Also, in my mind, there is three resort for us,, Per Aquum Niyama or Soneva Fushi.. or Atomospher Kanifushi,

Last time when we visited to maldive that was 10years ago and we stayed one and only Kanufura… I wish the hotel renovation has completed by this time…

Could you kindly tell me your personal feeling of these three hotel?

we are coming for celebrating our 10th anniversary and my big age birthday.

I look forward your advice..

Hello dear Wakako! Thank you SO much for your comment 🙂 I’ve replied to you via email Warmly Rozenn.

Hi, We’ve booked our flights to the Maldives for 4 nights in July with our 4 year old daughter. Ideally I would like a resort that we can get to by boat and that has an in-house reef (+ lagoon would be a bonus). There’s Kurumba and Sheraton but doesn’t grab me. We are looking a spending for 4 nights so can you please recommend a few resorts that I may have overlooked. There are just too many to contemplate! 🙂 Thanks!

We have twin boys @5years old. We want to stay in water villa and want to see sea turtles and fishes under water. We are planning to go on December.

May I please have your advise on where to stay and what activities we can have for the kids

Thanks, Acco

Hello dear Soumaya ! I would see 1st : Lily Beach. My absolute favorite due to the All inclusive PLUS one of the most amazing House Reef among Maldives Resorts. Your kids will be able to explore too ! And very easily. ! Please read this : Lily Beach Maldives Dreamy Resort . This is a unique and most complete presentation and review you’ll find around.

Then I would go for Sheraton Full Moon for the reef too and the service and finally Kurumba.

I would have gladly advise you Atmosphere KAnifushi but they have no house reef at all.

FOR DOLPHINS : Attention : It is NEVER sure to see them 🙂 They do not comply with our appointments 🙂 NOTE for your 2 years old child : Make sure with each resort that you can come with him/her at the kids club. The minimum age is most generally 3/4 years old and 2 years old kids can not stay alone there. I hope this will help you. Best regards Rozenn

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MALDIVES WITH KIDS: top Maldives child friendly resort

Last Updated on 19/09/2021 by Clotilde Passalacqua

The Maldives, from the distant seventies, have been the exclusive destination of honeymoon couples or VIPs of the International jet set, where to go to in the Maldives with kids was not in the FAQs, and certainly there wasn’t “child friendly Maldives” as the headline of any tourist board. Many things have however, changed over time both in the way of traveling and in the family organization.

Lastly (a decade ago), the removal of a law that prohibited tourists from visiting the Maldives outside of the resorts has contributed to transforming the Maldives into a destination for a new varied mix of tourists. Alongside celebrities from the world of entertainment or sport we find perhaps less exalted individuals who plan How to budget for Maldives to achieve the dream vacation of a lifetime, or families looking for the best Maldives family resorts.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page, at no cost to you .

But… are the Maldives for kids? Are the Maldives child friendly? These are some of the most common questions parents are asking when starting to consider a trip to this enchanting island…and the short answer is absolutely yes! They are a paradise for the kids: people are super welcoming, the criminality is really low and the water near the beaches are mostly really shallow, the only things to decide is how to organize your family trip to Maldives and to find the best family resort for you!

WHICH ARE THE BEST FAMILY RESORTS IN MALDIVES?

Obviously the choice is vast and the factors to consider are multitude, but here below you will find a list of some of the best family resorts in Maldives, with highlighted characteristics that distinguish them, in particular:

• Possibility of stay and / or eat free
• Services available
• Type of accommodation

COMPARISON CHART: the best family resorts in the Maldives

TOP CHOICE: CONRAD RANGALI ISLAND

MALDIVES BEST RESORTS FOR FAMILIES

BUDGET MALDIVES FAMILY RESORT

Not all Maldives resorts for families need to be extremely expensive. The 2 resorts above, the Holiday Inn Kandooma and the Bandos Maldives, are a good example of great value for services received.

Maybe they will not be as luxurious as some of the others but they still put a lot of effort to put together a great offer for families.

However, if budgeting is the main barrier to your dream family holiday to the Maldives you should consider to split your time between one of the resorts and one of the Maldivian local island .

Do you need some tips to build your family trip itinerary? Check out this Step by step guide !

RECOMMENDED: Conrad Maldives, why it is one of the best Maldives child friendly resorts

Family friendly resorts in Maldives are not a rarity, but Conrad Maldives is one of the most special. It is not a resort designed specifically for children, but it is the perfect combination of a classy, ​​luxury place, but where families traveling to the Maldives with kids will also feel comfortable and the kids enthralled.

There are many reasons why I rate The Conrad Maldives a terrific child friendly resort in Maldives, here are the key elements:

Size of the resort

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (this is the full name) is spread over a very large area for the number of accommodations, this makes it very easy to find spaces where there is no one else and families can relax and have fun without irritating other guests . In my opinion Maldives kid friendly resorts must provide for both, couples and families, the right balance between privacy and entertainment, and not sacrifice exclusivity just for comfort. Having generous spaces available greatly facilitates the combination. The resort is made up of three islands. Two islands are for guests and one is reserved for staff. Rangali Island and Rangali Finolhu are the two islands dedicated to guests. Rangali island is the smaller and more private with different types of accommodation, and 4 bar / restaurant options. Only the Quiet zone is reserved for adults only. Rangali Finolhu is the largest island where in addition to accommodation there are the reception, kids club, swimming pools for adults and children, diving center, water sports center, spa, various shops, and restaurants. In all there are 12 restaurants on the islands.

The Majaa kids club is located near the Atoll restaurant. In December 2019, it had been temporarily moved to the center of the island because it was under renovation. The center is open from 0900 to 1800 and the activity program is packed and varied. The children are involved in thematic activities from sports games to mini coking classes, up to a Pirate Ship battle where they go out to sea in one of the Dhoni, used as a pirate ship. Staff members on another Dhoni are waiting on the other side of the island to simulate a real pirate battle with the kids … I was so jealous !!!

Almost like having a private beach

For me what makes the Conrad one of the Maldives best family resorts is the fact that there is no need to constantly look around to see if the kids are bothering other guests. On the beach this is delightfully clear. During our stay the resort was 90% full but despite this we rarely had other people around us on the beach. There are so many options and activities available that people are dispersed and there is never a risk of finding crowds. The waters of the lagoon start pleasantly low and calm to allow children to play safely on the shore

Kids eat free

Another worry of a family trip to Maldives with toddlers is the food. Well not here! Kids are not allowed in all of the 12 restaurants but in most of them, and kids under 6 years old also eat free when an adult is eating, if they choose from the kids menu! Always check though as this could change from time to time. Food is not cheap, so saving on the kids rate is always welcomed!

Beach Villa

There are a variety of types of accommodation available, but what makes a true family friendly Maldives resort are the Beach villas. They all have direct access to the beach from the simplest to the deluxe with their private swimming pool. The villas are spaced from each other in order to guarantee the necessary privacy, and on the beach in front of the villa is an umbrella with two reserved beds (to which they can add others for the children on request). With small children this situation is ideal with the beach deserted for most of the time so there is no danger of feeling embarrassed by the occasional tantrum.

The 2 guest islands are connected by a long pontoon (half way there is the sea plane arrival / departure lounge). The pontoon itself is a leisurely 10 min stroll, but this of course depends where you start and where you want to go, it could take 20-25 minutes to walk from your starting to end point. Golf carts are available on request, and I’m sure you will not want to walk so often after the first ride on one, and probably the kids will not want to walk anymore at all!

Moreover, if the golf cart was not a sufficient diversion for internal transport, a traditional boat called a dhoni shuttles between the reception and the quiet zone and will certainly delight the little ones. Especially if they have already participated in the pirate ship cruise !!!

Ithaa underwater restaurant

This restaurant is a paradise for children especially for those who have not yet learned to snorkel. It is like being in an aquarium with a multitude of colorful fish, turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays fascinating everyone.

The bill is salty, there is no doubt, but you can mitigate by waiting for the cocktail hour instead of lunch or dinner. Check with the staff before booking though as children’s access is not always authorized.

Sighting Barrier sharks and Manta Ray

The long pontoon connecting the two islands that make up the resort is the perfect sighting spot for baby sharks and Manta Ray. Baby sharks can easily be seen even just sitting on the shore, but in the evening when the pontoon is illuminated from below it is the moment when you can sit quietly and wait, even for the not so rare Manta Ray.

Obviously these are the prominent elements that in my opinion make Conrad a true family resorts in maldives, but there is no shortage of other more common elements such as the children’s pool (a bit small to be honest), the babysitting service, the various excursions, or even the possibility of renting movies directly from the TV in your room while using room service.

THINGS TO DO IN CONRAD MALDIVES WITH KIDS

When organizing their Maldives family holiday many parents ask themselves if there will be enough things to do in Maldives with kids. At the Conrad Maldives there is no danger of getting bored, and entertaining the children will not be difficult.

• WATCHING THE FEEDING OF THE FISH Activities at no cost, but for sure entertaining. At lunchtime around 1:30 pm at the Mandhoo restaurant the fish are fed and you can easily sit nearby to admire the show.
• HOUSE REEF Another reason to call it the best Maldives resorts for families is that the house reef begins a few meters from the beach. Even the youngest children can easily put their heads under the calm waters of the lagoon with a mask (all snorkeling equipment can be rented for free at the diving center), and appreciate a world of colorful fish. Unfortunately, the corals have not yet fully recovered after the problems caused by Nino in 98, but the situation is improving.
• WATER SPORTS Also in this case there is a wealth of choice. Some free and great activities such as stand up paddle boarding (we did paddle boarding in Malta when our boys were 3 year old and they were absolutely happy to sit in front of them), pedal boats, or kayaking. Others for a fee such as the glass bottom boat perhaps for slightly younger children who have not yet experienced snorkeling.
• EXCURSION Depending on the age of the children also in this you could have a choice so vast as to find it overwhelming. From boat trips to see the dolphins, a picnic on a deserted island, to the sunset fishing, these are just some of the more suitable activities for the little ones. Of course, remember that all these extras add up and can be expensive, however if you have decided to get to know the other side of the Maldives by also exploring the islands inhabited by the locals, then I advise you to consider booking some excursions also from the local islands to save money, if you want here I talk about it in more detail.
• SEAPLANE Of all the things to do in maldives with family, perhaps getting on a seaplane will thrill mom and dad as much as the children. Definitely an experience to do at least once in a lifetime (children under 12 pay half price)

THINGS TO REMEMBER: when you are at the Conrad Maldives or at any other resort

• The seaplane for children is certainly a fun part of the journey, but don’t forget that seaplanes fly only during daylight. In case your flight arrives in the evening you will have to stop for the night in Male
• The prices you see around the resort don’t include taxes. Resorts islands charge 10% service charge + 12% GST (goods & service tax). everything you purchase will have 23.2% added to the initial price
• The Maldives is a Muslim country. In the resorts island you will be free to walk around dressed as you wish, but if you visit a local island remember to cover up respecting the local culture.
• Clothing: you will not need heels or your Carrie Bradshaw collection. In most resorts a nice pair of sandals will be enough when you go to a restaurant, you are probably barefoot the rest of the time.
• There are always some shops but nothing like a supermarket, so bring some snacks for the kids and enough suncream.
• You will not need cash, every meal, excursion or drink will be added to your final bill.

I hope this article will help you to organise your best family holiday to the Maldives! Enjoy!!!!

Clotilde Passalacqua

Clotilde is a resilient, resourceful and adventurous person that navigate the world of travelling with kids. She is a mum of 7 years old twins and she share practical tips, profound insights and genuine personal experience to empowers family to embrace travel with children as an enriching experience rather than a daunting challenge.

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Maldives with a baby

Can the Maldives be done with a baby? Well of course! Ok, but how about staying in a water villa with a baby? Still yes, with some careful planning.

I would think staying in a Maldivian water villa is probably on most people’s bucket list.. And we’re no different.

So, if we were going to the Maldives of course we had to stay in one! But how would that work with a baby?

Now when we originally booked, bub was only 9 months old and not walking.

Then when we were travelling he would be 13 months. So we knew there was a very good possibility that he might be walking by then..

But what we weren’t expecting was that he started walking literally two weeks after booking!..

So fast forward, and now we’re really not sure how this will go with a walking, running and climbing toddler.

As you can imagine the lead up to the trip was filled with some anxiety.

I scoured YouTube trying to find videos so I could suss out if the water villa was “baby proof” enough.

From what videos I could find, the villa doors seemed secure enough, and at least there were railings on the balcony. But they weren’t exactly toddler friendly..

So I decided to invest in an infant life jacket. Which bub was just going to have to wear while we were in the villa.

Also brought a wrist buddy, so that when we were walking along the board walk, we wouldn’t have a lil man overboard situation.

Buying these things made me feel a little better about the situation. But as the trip neared closer I was still equal parts excited as anxious.

Check out this walk around clip of where we were staying – Brennia Kottefaru 🏝

Flying to the Maldives with a baby

We knew flying with a baby would be tough. But we were hoping for the best. Tried to be strategic and booked a night flight as bub usually sleeps through.

We also booked our flights as soon as our accommodation was confirmed, and when travelling with an infant on Singapore Airlines you can preselect your seats. And since we were booking five months in advance, we were able to secure the bassinet seats.

While we started off strong, about two hours in our best laid plans turned to shit. Somehow, though, we all made it through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd leg. But only just.

A 24-hour transit is never ideal at the best of times. Let alone with a little person, who just so happened to be teething 😬

Massive shout out to all the people on the flights that were awesome though. I know there would of been alot of people hating us as we were THAT family!.

But was surprised how many people were actually nice, helpful and supportive. And thankfully our trip home was much, much better!

Bassinet seat tip

For three flights we chose the forward zone seats which were right behind business class.. But to change it up on one flight we booked the bassinet seat further back near the emergency exits… Oh, how I wished we booked these seats for all the flights! Here’s the pros and cons of the seats:

Pros of the forward zone, window, bassinet seat

• We were able to get a window seat.
• One of the first to get off the plane (Which is a great option when your baby has screamed the whole flight, and you want to avoid everyone!)

Cons of the forward zone, window, bassinet seat

• Have to walk up a whole cabin to get to the toilets. Which is especially hard with a baby, infant or toddler.
• No space to just stand up or walk around unless you go all the way back to the toilets.
• Less chance of having a spare seat in your row as people like to sit up front.
• Arm rests don’t lift up.

Pros of bassinet seat near emergency exits

• Had room to stand up, both in our seats and near the doors.
• Seating area in general felt more spacious.
• Could walk around a bit.
• Scored a spare seat in our row.
• Arm rests lift up.
• Close to toilets (Usually I’d say this was a con but with a baby it’s a pro haha)

Cons of bassinet seat near emergency exits

• Can’t get a window seat as you can’t sit in the emergency exits with an infant on your lap.

Packing list for taking a baby to the Maldives

Since we were staying quite far out, we knew a trip to the local supermarket or store wasn’t quite possible. So, we made sure that we packed anything that we thought we might need for a week 🎒👇

• Life jacket
• Wrist buddy
• Floatation ring or arm floaties (Whichever bub prefers)
• First aid kit
• Prescription meds (Just in case)
• Any other over the counter meds – pain relief, allergies etc
• Formula and packaged baby food
• Sunscreen and after sun care
• General toiletries
• Hat and sunglasses (Whether bub wears them is another story 🙃)
• Summer clothes – lots of singlets, shorts and t-shirts
• Couple of light long sleeve shirts and pants

Tips for taking a baby to the Maldives

• When booking your accommodation, try book a place that has a clinic on the island. Or at least research where the nearest one is. As all islands are either a speedboat or seaplane transfer away. (So if no clinic on the island – Best to keep location in mind in case of emergency.)
• Make sure you visit the Dr before your trip. That way bub can get any recommended travel vaccinations.
• While there get some scripts for any meds that you might need. For example: basic antibiotics, something for travellers diarrhoea, antibacterial ointment etc.
• Get bub some swimming lessons. Trust me you’re going to be in that turquoise blue water pretty much the whole trip! So best to get bub familiar with the water 💧
• Pack enough nappies, wet wipes, sunscreen etc. Because if you have to buy them at the resort it’s going to be $$$
• Try book a bassinet seat if possible (most major airlines have them but age/weight limits vary.) As it will hopefully make your flight a bit more comfortable and tolerable.

So, as you can see you can defintely visit the Maldives with a baby or toddler!

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, the locals and staff are friendly and helpful, and it’s a great place to chill out and make some awesome memories as a family ❤️

But, looking back on our trip, I probably went a bit overboard with the precautions.

As we didn’t really end up using the life jacket while in the villa. Or use the wrist buddy, as bub wouldn’t keep his shoes on, so we had to carry him everywhere instead!

And thankfully we didn’t need to use any of the prescription medication either.

Although the whole trip didn’t completely go off without a stitch…

But luckily it was just Dad who needed them 😆 And the island we were staying on had a clinic 😏!!

Which just goes to show, better to be prepared, and safe than sorry – because anything can happen!

For more overwater blogs, check these out ⛵️🤿🐠😁👇

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10 Best Baby and Toddler Friendly Hotels in the Maldives

Think of the Maldives and you may think of a picture-perfect island paradise first. Whilst it’s true that this beautiful country is famed for being an archipelago of over 1,000 coral islands, did you know it’s also a fantastic place for baby and toddler friendly holidays?  That’s why we’ve chosen the 10 best baby and toddler friendly hotels in the Maldives. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.

#1. Sun Island Resort & Spa

This stunning set of beachfront bungalows and villas creates a picture of paradise at the Sun Island Resort & Spa .  Towering palm trees frame the sparkling white sands that lead to sunlit sapphire waters. Along with simply enjoying the natural beauty of your surroundings, there’s plenty to do here .  It’s one of the most popular Maldives hotels for toddlers and babies thanks to the rich range of activities. There’s a shallow kids’ pool that’s perfect for paddling, as well as fun poolside games and mini-golf set in a totally tropical oasis. Grown-ups in your group will love some time out sinking into fragrant flower baths at the spa, or simply feasting on worldwide cuisine at the four a la carte restaurants.

What makes this a baby and toddler friendly resort in the Maldives:

• Kids’ pool with daily games
• Baby cots available on request
• Wide range of sports activities

Learn More –  The Sun Island Resort & Spa

Read More –  10 Best Long Haul Destinations For Toddlers

#2. Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

Wherever you go at the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives , awe-inspiring views of the azure Indian Ocean will accompany you. The hotel is placed on its own private island, and it has the same modern approach to interior design that Hard Rock is famous for. Soft lighting, curved glass and bold block colours perfectly complement the beauty of your surroundings. Plus, it’s easy to recommend this as a top toddler friendly hotel in the Maldives too . That’s because it has the amazing Roxity Kids’ Club with arts and crafts, treasure hunts, quizzes and more. The hotel even offers a babysitting service for an extra charge. Hungry? The Sessions buffet restaurant serves up a regular rotation of fresh flavours from around the world, with kids’ dining choices too.

• Roxity Kids’ Club
• Kids’ dining menu
• Stunning modern décor

Learn More –   Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

Read More –  10 Best Toddler Friendly Hotels In The Caribbean

#3. Finohul Baa Atoll Maldives

Clean contemporary lines, striking pastel colours and picture-perfect sea views make the collection of villas here truly luxurious. The Finohul Baa Atoll Maldives may be a place of total tranquillity, yet little ones will still find plenty to do here too. That’s all thanks to the Oceaneers’ Club, which will keep young seafarers engaged with inspired activities, including an outdoor play area and even an art studio. Plus, they can make the most of the serene blue skies at dedicated children’s pool. You could even lighten the load on your luggage as strollers are available at the hotel! It may be one of the best baby friendly hotels in the Maldives , and yet grown-ups can also enjoy some well-earned ‘me’ time at the on-site spa or choosing from the fine selection of a la carte restaurants.

• Hotel-run kids’ club
• Outdoor play area
• Spacious villas with modern designs

Learn More –  Finohul Baa Atoll Maldives

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#4. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Each individual villa at the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is perfectly encapsulated in idyllic tropical jungle, where palm tree leaves frame your front-seat views of the Indian Ocean. Whether you choose the beachfront or over-the-water villas, you can expect plush, high-end furnishings and your own plunge pool. Children are invited to join in on the fun at Little Griffins, a hotel-run kids’ club that features games and educational activities. This baby and toddler friendly resort in the Maldives even has a 20-yard pirate ship play area too! Grown ups have much to look forward to here as well – relax at the adults-only infinity pool and marvel at the amber sunsets or simply unwind at the Signature Spa by JW.

• Little Griffins kids’ club
• Pirate ship play area
• Signature Spa by JW

Learn More –  JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Read More –  10 Best Baby and Toddler Friendly Hotels in the Dominican Republic

#5. Vakkaru Maldives

The Vakkaru Maldives is located on its own private island, so nothing will interrupt your sense of serenity. Rest on a swaying hammock by the silky white sands or sunbathe on an over-the-water lounge surrounded by the sun-sparkled Indian Ocean. Looking for a toddler friendly hotel in the Maldives? This is a fabulous choice, as the resort hosts the Parrotfish Club, a kids’ club for 3-12 year olds that features play areas, cookery classes and more. Little ones will also appreciate the shallower waters on the spacious children’s pool. Explore the lush tropical greenery of the island on flat cycle paths and be sure to sample the a la carte offerings at the tempting range of four fantastic restaurants.

• Parrotfish Club kids’ club
• Children’s pool
• Cycle paths

Learn More –  Vakkar u Maldives

Read More –  11 Best Baby and Toddler Friendly Hotels in Jamaica

#6. Kandima Maldives

The Kandima Maldives adds a sense of modern style to the naturally beautiful surroundings with its bold, contemporary décor. We’re talking floor-to-ceiling windows, neon-lit restaurants and bright pops of colour. It’s a fantastic place for families too, with an amazing on-site splash park, pirate ship and fun fountains, making this one of the best toddler friendly hotels in the Maldives . That’s not forgetting the hotel-run kids’ club, which features trampolines and a sandpit that are ideal for younger children. Of course, as you’re in one of the most photogenic places in the world, you can also expect awesome sea views and a gorgeous white sand beachfront throughout your holiday.

• On-site splash park
• Modern décor

Learn More –  Kandima Maldives

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#7. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Over-the-water bungalows? Check. Private plunge pools? Check. Awesome ocean views? Check. The stunning Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is a stunning resort set on its own private island has all the hallmarks you’d expect of an incredible holiday in the Maldives. What’s more, it also has fantastic facilities for children, including a kids’ club with indoor and outdoor play areas and activities, along with a dedicated children’s pool with lots of activities. It’s a great choice for a toddler friendly hotel in the Maldives , yet there is a lot for grown-ups to enjoy too! Take your pick from three a la carte restaurants inspired by Argentinian, Thai and Mediterranean cuisine or simply relax by the beautiful blue lagoon.

• Indoor and outdoor play areas
• Great range of restaurants

Learn More –  Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

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#8. Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Turquoise-toned waters encircle everywhere you go at this private island paradise bordered by cotton-soft white sands. The open, airy villas at the Niyama Private Island perfectly complement the beauty of your environment, where you’ll always have a view of lush tropical greens and azure ocean waves. You’ll also be amazed by Subsix, the world’s first underwater restaurant where little ones can watch colourful fish glide by while dining. It’s like having your own ocean aquarium! The hotel also runs a kids’ club for children from 12 months to 12 years old, along with a video games room and a children’s pool. That’s why it’s considered one of the best Maldives hotels for toddlers and babies.

• Underwater restaurant
• Luxurious décor

Learn More –  Niyama Private Islands Maldives

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#9. Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Towering palm trees, thatched roof beach huts and white brushstrokes of sand create the quintessential tropical setting at this private island resort in the Maldives . You could easily spend hours marvelling at how crystal clear the seawater is here, but then you’d miss out on all the activities on offer! Little ones will love the outdoor and indoor play areas along with the children’s pool. Plus, strollers can be provided on request, making this an ideal choice for a baby friendly hotel in the Maldives. There’s also a hotel-run kids’ club for children aged 3-12 years old, with an events calendar featuring treasure hunts, cooking classes and arts and crafts workshops. Children under six years old can even dine for free at all of the resort’s restaurants!

• Strollers provided on request
• Children under six years old dine for free

Learn More –  Anantara Dhigu Maldives

#10. Constance Halaveli

Constance Halaveli is a resort that puts you amongst the stunning natural surroundings of the Maldives, from the sun-sparkled ocean waves to the bright white sands of the beachfront. It also boasts a strikingly modern approach to interior design at its villas, each complemented by a private plunge pool. Plus, there’s plenty for children to do at the Constance Kids’ Club. It has a colourful indoor play area and regularly runs arts and crafts workshops and themed events. If you’re looking for a toddler friendly hotel in the Maldives, the Constance Halaveli is an ideal choice.

Learn More –  Constance Halaveli

We’re sure you’re amazed by the supreme beauty and luxury of these stunning holidays. Now it’s time to book your baby and toddler friendly resort in the Maldives.

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Family Travel in the Maldives: Top 10 Things to do in Maldives with Kids

A destination that is still on our list is the Maldives. Easily one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, I was super excited when Alana from Family Bites Travel offered to share her family’s experience from their recent trip. You can read her awesome post below to help you plan what to do in Maldives!

When I was planning our route around Asia in 2016 I saw the Maldives on the map and thought “I wish”.

After a few google searches, I realised that it is now possible to travel to the Maldives without having to get a second mortgage. Better still it was obvious that family travel to the Maldives is now encouraged! There are options for all types of visitors, it is no longer just a destination for rich couples on their honeymoon!

In April 2017, our family went to an inhabited local island. In September 2017, we came to compare the experience by staying at the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives. The experiences were different but both equally brilliant. The following information is a combination of both these trips.

Below you will find our full guide to the top things to do in Maldives with kids. Read about activities in Maldives with kids as well as practical information and advice on where to stay in Maldives with kids.

Islands in Republic of Maldives

Toddler saw everyone posing in the airport so insisted on the same!

There are 1190 islands that form the Maldivian islands archipelago. There are 3 main categories of islands: inhabited, uninhabited and resort. There is a fourth less commonly discussed island category called the ‘disappeared islands’.

At present, ~200 islands are inhabited by local Maldivians and a further 105 islands are ‘leased’ by a resort. The 900-plus uninhabited islands are used for agriculture by locals or used for day trip destinations and ‘picnic’ islands for tourists.

Prior to 2009, tourists were only permitted to stay on resort islands. When these laws were relaxed many guesthouses and inns popped up on the inhabited islands. There are accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Our Itineraries

In April, like most people do, we arrived into the country via Malé International Airport. The airport itself is on the island Hulhulé, which connects to an artificial island, Hulhumalé, via a causeway. This island was built to accommodate tourists close to the airport, usually while awaiting transfer to another island. As such, there is little more here than several over-priced ‘hotels’.

Having arrived in the evening, we spent our first night on Hulhumalé in a very ordinary hotel for an extraordinary $120 USD. The next day we took the local ferry to Malé before catching another ferry to our final destination – Kaashidhoo. This island is the 5 th largest inhabited island in Maldives and is located just north of the Malé Atoll. For the next 14 nights, this island was our home.

Our actual ferry was much bigger and much older!

For our resort trip to Shangri-La Maldives, we arrived into the country via the other international airport in the Maldives. It is the southern-most atoll of Addu and on the island of Gan. This area of the country is much less developed than Malé and therefore has fewer international flights on offer.

We are now based mainly in Sri Lanka. As such we were able to fly directly from Colombo. There are some countries that fly direct. The majority of air traffic into Gan airport is via a domestic flight from Malé international airport. We were swiftly taken to the resort on the island of Villingili.  We stayed for three nights.

How long is a piece of string? Your budget can be from shoestring to super luxurious. In April, we had a shoestring budget.  As we are slow traveling my budget per day is $80 USD/day. I was unable to keep to that budget as my husband joined us and we decided to get 2 rooms. So, our total was $120USD/day.

Most islands will offer tourists inclusive packages. We got one that included all meals, activities, part-time nanny, drinking water, tourist taxes and one-way transportation on the local ferry. The cost of accommodation on Hulhumalé was expensive for what you got.

In April we used ferries on the way to the island. The ferry costs are very low at $1-12 USD depending on destination and the time of day. We paid $250 for a speedboat to return to the airport. I preferred the ferry. A speedboat is based on a per person or per boat cost. So, it can be expensive if you are not sharing the costs. A seaplane will be many hundreds of dollars each way. There is also a tourism tax you need to pay per person per day, so you need to factor in these costs.

During our stay at the Shangri-La Maldives, we were guests of the resort. This resort is marketed and set up to give you a luxurious resort experience. Unlike other high-end luxury resorts I’ve been to, this resort was able to deliver on being luxury yet was completely unpretentious. That is my kind of resort!

The cost varies significantly between seasons and they had a number of villa types available; from the standard villa that was far from standard to an amazing treehouse villa to the extraordinary overwater villas. During the low season May-October, you could snag an absolute bargain. During our stay they had numerous packages and offers such as “pay 5, stay 7 nights”.

Irrespective of the accommodation category you choose, I would caution you to look carefully at the location in relation to the international airports. Sea flights or even speedboat transfers can be very expensive.  Shangri-La Maldives has the added bonus of being so close to the Gan airport so transfer costs are negated and fast!

Transportation between Islands

Unless you are doing a trip to the Maldives unaided, you will be most certainly greeted by a friendly face in the arrival hall. For both trips, we were met with our names on a board. With the resort trip, we got the added bonus on the cool drink and cold towel on arrival.

Local Ferry

You should try to match up your flight with the local ferry where possible. Not all island locations have a daily schedule. It is a good idea to at least get advice on the local ferry schedule. It was pretty confusing. They run on certain days and at very odd hours. Irrespective of your location, the ferry, known as a Dhoni is slow moving.

You need to be very mindful on the ferry when traveling with small kids as the front and the back is completely open. We used a car seat after 3-hours of chasing our toddler around.

Back of the ferry was completely open.

You do need to be aware that some islands can be hundreds of kilometers from the capital and can take 12-14+ hours to reach.

Speedboat or Seaplane

Both are easy to organize but expensive if they are not included in the cost of your accommodation. Note that seaplanes will only fly to inhabited islands that have more than 30 guest beds.

In April, I absolutely hated the speedboat we took to get back to the airport. Every bump was painful and the kids were scared. They laughed saying this was a ‘calm’ sea. It was 2 hours in the speedboat versus 5.5 hours on the ferry. Give me the ferry any day!

The ferry network only stops at inhabited islands so you are unable to get to a resort island via the public ferry.

Unhappy toddler. Happy parents.

Although our ferry did have kid-sized life jackets, it appeared to be newer than many others we saw. The local boat we used each day had no life jackets, let alone small sized ones. This was non-negotiable for me as initially I was going to be traveling alone with 3 small kids. So, I bought ours from Australia.

Our trip in September couldn’t have been easier. We were greeted by a Shangri-La Maldives representative, this friendly chap then took us a few steps to an air-conditioned waiting car. Our luggage was taken from us and we didn’t need to worry about it again! Hilariously we drove maybe 50m to the jetty. Here we boarded the boat and got given life jackets. I bought our previously used life jacket but there was no need! They had it covered with a variety of sizes to choose from.  The boat ride was about 8-10 minutes.  One of the reasons I chose Shangri-La as the transportation was so close. Unlike the ferry that took many, many hours, we were at the resort in 20 minutes flat and it was nothing short of impressive.

Baby was very happy in his life-jacket!

Getting around Islands

The islands are small. On inhabited islands, locals just walk or use a push bike to get around. Everyone has access to a motorbike and no one wears a helmet.

Kid and toddler in “danger zone” heaven

Like most of Asia, local people ride motorbikes but it is FAR from the chaos of the cities. The boys had a few motorbike rides around the island and they loved it. They didn’t have helmets, so I looked the other way and took a deep breath!

It can be very hot so there are also ‘taxis’. These are essentially a motorbike with a small tray at the back. Not very comfortable but they get the job done. A few times we just jumped into the back of a truck to get a lift.

In terms of traveling with kids, having the stroller became tiresome due to the sand. A carrier was handy but it was too hot to use for extended periods.

Getting around the Shangri-La Maldives resort was via bike or golf cart. Either way, if you didn’t choose to, you didn’t have to walk. The island was quite large and the golf cart was a necessity. It rained a few times and they even cover the sides so you are protected.  They even installed a baby seat on the bike. I saw they had several bike sizes also. Helmets were not included but there were no cars. The golf carts did seem to zip around but the drivers were very safe and slowed down whenever they saw us.

Baby wanted to keep riding around!

Accommodation

Inn or guesthouses.

To be clear, if you stay on an inhabited island you are not staying at a resort, not even close. You are staying in a guesthouse or inn. I would caution you to make sure you read reviews thoroughly.

We used Airbnb to find our accommodation. We got 2 rooms for ~$55USD/night for both. Admittedly, I negotiated a lower rate as we were saying for 14 nights. A google search for guesthouses or Inns + Maldives will show you just how many appear.

The ‘dining room’ in our accommodation

Not all resorts are created equally. I would make sure you look at all the fine details and compare a number of resorts to get the right fit for your family. As mentioned before a resort has exclusive use of “their island”. The Shangri-La is a beautiful resort and Villingili is a beautiful island.

The clientele were two distinct groups; families on the land-based villas and honeymooners/couples on the over-water bungalows. I saw all villa types and I would not feel comfortable having a young child on the over-water villas. Sensibly, all the resorts impose rules to restrict young children on these (>8 or 12 years old depending on the resort). At Shangri-La each villa had a pool. They can install pool fencing around the pool if you have young children. The doors were very hard to open for an adult, let alone a child, so I felt comfortable with not asking for a safety gate.

Amazing! But you need older children!

You can read more about the best place to stay in Maldives here .

Most guesthouse will offer a meal package. It is a good idea. The food options are very limited on inhabited islands.

Each meal will come with fish. Tuna is in most meals, even breakfast. If you have dietary requirements you would need to make them clear to the guesthouse.

Tuna is in everything!

Many of the local foods are spicy (and delicious) so you need to tell them to reduce the spice for your kids as it was quite hot.

Tuna for breakfast with roti bread. It was delicious.

For resort stays, they do have a monopoly on eating establishments. My tip is to get an all-inclusive package to avoid any surprises. At Shangri-La Maldives, kids stay and eat free under 6. From 8-12 they get 50% off the cost of all meals. There were also many generous family packages that were good value.

Maldivian lobster – don’t mind if I do!

The food at Shangri-La Maldives Resort was delicious. The servings were massive and enough to feed at least 2 adults. The kid’s meals were also wonderful. You got a real choice as well. Not just the standard fried food or chicken nuggets.

A free kids meal!

The breakfast, like all Shangri-La’s buffets, was epic. I took a few snacks from the buffet and it was enough for lunch. The waffles and crepes were a real highlight!

There are 3 large restaurants on the island. The main cuisines on offer were local Maldivian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian. The resort also had a dedicated sommelier. You cannot get bored with so many choices. It was the complete opposite to the local island, where I was so over tuna in every single meal. It was the biggest difference between the two experiences in the Maldives.

Indian meal for “Two”. This was easily enough for 3-4 adults!

Top 10 things to do in Maldives with Kids

The following list is a combination of both the inhabited (local) and  resort stays . Prior to our resort stay, I assumed the only way to engage with local people was to stay on an inhabited island. I realised this was not totally true. You can do local island tours at Shangri-La Maldives, something, that is not possible at many resorts. The workforce was also made up of mostly Maldivians who lived in the local islands. They were very happy and clearly loved their job.

1. Dolphin Cruises

Spinner Dolphins in Maldives – we saw this daily!

Dolphin watching is one of the activities in Maldives offered on all islands, even if not formally. There are 4 different species of dolphins present in Maldives and we saw Spinner Dolphins. Unlike the other incredible sea creatures that you might see – think whale sharks or blue whales – dolphins are common and present year-round.  The local people respect and care about their well-being and this was a welcome surprise.

We did a specific dolphin cruise three times on our April trip but we were fortunate to see them on other boat trips too! These cruises were a major highlight of our trip. Even our 3-year-old absolutely loved it.

Around Kaashidhoo the ‘local’ pod numbered around 100 dolphins in size but in other parts, they can get into the thousands! We never saw them all together – the baby dolphins usually hung around the shallower waters near the reefs while the adults were in the deeper water.

Also, only a quarter or so are swimming at the surface at one time and our underwater video footage is a testament to that.

They are playful and curious creatures but be under no any illusions as to who is in charge! Several times we watched them perform amazing acrobatic tricks from a distance only to have then stop and swum away when we got closer. If they were inclined to do so, however, they would ‘play’ near the boat and it was nothing short of spectacular.

I also went on a resort organised dolphin cruise. The pod was so chilled out and we got to cruise along with them for over an hour. It was a very different experience as the boat was so much bigger and brand-new! The pod was massive with at least 300 individuals and many babies. Unlike the local island dolphins, this pod “played” with us. I whistled to them and they looked at me!

Made 300 new friends.

2. Finding Nemo: Snorkeling

Our 8-year-old snorkeling

The water in the Maldives is so clear. Even on average days, the clarity of the water surpassed anywhere I have ever snorkeled. The visibility was at least 20 meters!

There were several snorkeling spots around Kaashidhoo and all abilities are catered for. Most islands have a similar geography. The shallower areas within the inner reef are an excellent place for learners and the less confident. Our 8-year-old started here but by the end of the trip was out with us on the outer reef where the sea floor simply vanishes into an abyss! Unlike many of the resort islands, there is no ‘house reef’ but it was only a short 5-minute boat ride to the reef. We chose an inclusive package and could snorkel every morning. Beware that if you choose to pay for things individually your costs could add up quickly as you will most likely want to be heading out again and again.

The marine life was abundant and plentiful and I was lucky enough to spot a turtle! To my husband’s dismay there were no sharks to be seen.

This little guy thought I was his mama!

Unfortunately, like all reefs in the world, the Maldives has been affected by coral bleaching. Our host informed us that this was only a recent phenomenon. Parts of the reef were recovering but it is far from its former glory.

We went on a snorkel trip during our resort stay. The main difference was the fact the boat followed you so you didn’t have to do the “hard” swim back to the boat! I saw 2 turtles , a sting-ray and a small reef shark. There were so many fish. I was heartened to see the coral was starting to regain some color. The Shangri-La also offers a wonderful program where you can build a coral support and replant a coral reef. You can then get updates to see how your coral is going.

3. Sandbank Swimming

Our boys on the sandbank off Kaashidhoo

Many of the Maldivian islands are themselves atolls. Within them among the calmer waters are often sandbars. Kaashidhoo is one such place.

It was a surreal experience- we were in the middle of the Indian Ocean in the clearest of water you are ever likely to see . The sun was setting and the water was warm! The level of relaxation was on another level. The baby was in heaven and didn’t want to get out.

Take care if there are rocks or coral present. I cut my foot on the rocks and it is still healing, 6 weeks on! I would recommend people take reef shoes.

4. Collecting Crabs & Crab Racing

Kid and a tiny hermit crab

One of the things to see in Maldives is the hermit crabs. The boys loved them. We went to a few beaches on Kaashidhoo and one was literally covered in hermit crabs! You had to watch where you walked there we were so many. As you stopped, the beach started to move!

Sized from a couple of millimeters to up to a few centimeters they kept our kids entertained for hours.

At the resort, we did crab racing. We went to the beach and collected some hermit crabs. The kids absolutely loved this activity. In our specific villa we had literally hundreds come out at night. The kids were in awe of these little guys.

Crab Racing with Cool Zone Kids Club in Shangri-La Maldives

5. Boats, boat and more boats: Captain Kid

Captain Kid!

Just as most of us urban dwellers catch the train or bus, Maldivians catch a boat. There is lots of water, so boating is one of the things to do in the Maldives that you must do! It’s a bit more exciting for the Maldivians though – we saw jumping tuna, flying fish, dolphins and birdlife on our boat journeys.

We spent time on 4 different types of boats: public ferries, a modern speedboat, a small fishing dinghy and a larger fishing boat. I’m not sure if I grew my ‘sea legs’ though as I got seasick more than once.

We also saw a ‘Safari boat’ being constructed on the island. It’s interesting to see how things are done in other parts of the world, to say the least.

Boat building on Kaashidhoo

On the fishing dinghy, our 8-year-old was put on skipper duty after a quick 30 second tutorial on how to drive the boat! I had to turn off my OHS and mum-brain to allow this to happen! The locals were so casual about this and in the end, it was good for him in helping develop his confidence. He absolutely loved it!

6. Game fishing

One of Maldives things to do is to try to catch really big fish! We were hosted by local fishermen. They went out every night. We joined them to try to get a very prized catch in the Maldives – Yellowfin tuna! It was not what I was expecting though with no rods, reels or fish-finders in sight. In the Maldives, it’s all done with intuition and hand lines! There is an art to it.

We pulled up alongside a commercial fishing boat and the speed and fluidity of the fishermen was something to behold. On our boat, we could pull the line in when the fishermen had ‘taken control’ of the situation.

Young ones and the faint-hearted need to be warned – the process is confronting. The Yellowfin tuna are large fish, some more than 1 metre, and in order to get them out of the water a large hook is used. There can be a lot of blood, I repeat, a lot of blood.

When onboard the fish is quickly killed by a hard blow to the head and this results in a seizure which can last several minutes. I hid up the front of the boat when I knew it was coming the second time. It wasn’t nice. Fish that were not sought after were returned to the water.

7. Freedom and friends

Beach at Sunset on Kaashidhoo

The kids were a source of wonder to the local people. Remembering that inhabited islands have only been ‘open’ to tourism for a short period.

The boys were treated like kings! They ran into shops and they got given lollies. They ran around the streets and everyone wanted to touch their hair. They ran into people’s gardens and were invited inside. Our baby was taken from our arms when anyone had a chance to have a cuddle. The local kids would come and talk to us in English and wanted selfies with all the boys. It was so nice to see the boys having the freedom to just be kids.

Not everyone looked friendly, initially. Often, they would come and just stare at us. It can be confronting having a group of people just stop and stare. As soon as we smiled at them they would come over.

Language was a barrier but we would still communicate. A smile, a wave or a point or a show of fingers was enough. Just a short 50 metres to the shop would mean multiple stops and photos. The kids made friends with kids and adults alike.

Toddler making friends with our host’s son

This is the one main thing you miss out on if you go to a resort on the Maldives. Getting to know the local people, you make friends and have some autonomy in your holiday decisions.

We met lovely caring Maldivian people where we stayed who got us a wonderful babysitter. She invited us to her home on the final day and it was a major holiday highlight. Having ‘Noni’ allowed us adults to participate in island activities but also to have some alone time. We knew they were being well cared for and we could enjoy the water activities!

The kids got to play with local kids and meet so many of the people. They were like celebrities and everyone knew their names.

9. Froglets to Froggies and feeding fishes

At the resort, we were able to find frog metamorphosis in all its glory. There was a pond full of frogs mating and at variables stages of growth. They were teeny tiny and so cute!  The kids loved watching them swim in the water. I am unsure what species they were but there were thousands in the pond!

Froglets to frogs

Although feeding fish is not uncommon, unfortunately, it is offered in kids clubs in the ocean to the marine fish.  This is seemingly innocuous activity is very detrimental to variety of fish and the already suffering coral. When humans do this activity they will encourage the aggressive fish, they in turn scare away all other species. Often the coral will then die as the symbiotic nature of fish and coral is disrupted.

I loved that the Shangri-La Maldives did fish feeding in the pond. The fish were very clever and who knew who had the food! They would stalk you along the pond. Again, the kids had a wonderful time.

Feeding the Fish

10. Technology Detox: Reconnecting as a family and kids club

Family time on the beach

It was so nice just to be together. My husband must remain in Australia while we travel. Being in the middle of the Indian Ocean with no phone reception, no television and limited internet meant we could reconnect properly.

Re-connection is very important for families! However, so is time out for the parents! I love kids clubs, namely so I can get a massage (or 10) and have a short break from being ‘mum’. Before I look at anything else  I will look at the kid’s club facilities at any prospective resort. Shangri-La’s kid’s club is called the Cool Zone and they are the next level in fun.

Play area inside the Shangri-La Maldives kid’s club

Outdoor play area at Shangri-La Maldives kids club

It is very true that not all kids clubs are created equally! The Shangri-La Maldives had a very extensive list of daily activities. Many of these were outside and typically inspired by Maldivian culture or traditional activities. Coconuts were front and center for craft activities. The Cool Zone has an inside play area, a dedicated craft area and the required ball pit. There was also an outside play area. They also combined their program with the resorts onsite marine ecology center to give an extra layer of education to the fun.

Kids club activities at Cool Zone Shangri-La Maldives

Things to remember

Money and atm access.

Most local traders will accept USD or Maldivian Ruffiya (MVR). Currently, $1 USD = 15 MVR. Change is typically given in MVR. There are ATMs and money exchangers on Malé and at the airport. If you head out to an inhabited island bring cash as ATMs are scarce; we had no access to funds on Kaashidhoo.

Beware that the USD you might tender must be in pristine condition or it will be refused. I know because it happened to me!

The Adhan (Islamic call to prayer) occurs 5 times a day. It is brief compared to some other Muslim nations but pretty much everything stops for at least half an hour.

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, all local people are fasting from sunset to sundown. The dates vary year to year as it is based on the lunar calendar, but often it is May or June. You should refrain from eating or drinking in the presence of Maldivians during this time.  If you are staying at a resort this would not apply.

Most countries can get a visa on arrival and it is free. Your visa is valid for 30 days. You may need proof of a return ticket, evidence of enough money to cover your trip and at least 6 months on your passport. Although, the only thing we needed was the address of our guesthouse.

Our toddler was being naughty. A passport control person approached and I thought I was just about to be scolded for not controlling my unruly child. She pulled us into the VIP lane – no line!

Modesty on Inhabited Islands

Outward displays of physical affection are considered an affront in Maldives. Signs explicitly state that holding hands and kissing in public is a civil offence! My 8-year-old asked me if that meant he couldn’t give me a hug! Was very cute and I explained it was for adults only. Kids can do as they please with kisses and hugs

Female attire is also under scrutiny. As a visitor, you are not expected to be in a hijab or niqab. Aim to cover from your elbows to your knees as a measure of respect to your island hosts. Away from the island, you are afforded a little more liberty.

For swimming, bikinis are only allowed on resort beaches or some islands have set up “Bikini Beaches” to allow tourists to swim in what they like. Local swimwear with long legs and sleeves can be purchased cheaply (I paid $15 USD) and is actually a really good idea given the sunburn risk.

Outside of the resorts alcohol is illegal. If you bring any duty-free alcohol in with you, it will be confiscated at the airport. You may be liable for a fine also.

Baby supplies

Portacots and highchairs are not commonly used unless you are at a family-friendly resort like Shangri-La’s Maldives. In April we bought our own travel cot with us. Having a baby sling or carrier was also very handy. We did bring a travel stroller but it was useless on the sandy roads.

As all islands are very small you should bring any essential items like baby food. You could get nappies and formula on the Kaashidhoo but they were costly and the nappies were very thin. I have avoided buying baby wipes in most Asian countries as they have led to nappy rash. All toilets have a hose that you can use to wash the baby.

Shangri-La did have access to nappies and other baby items to make your stay easier. If you required items like nappies and formula longer term I would bring them from home.

The level of healthcare facilities available will depend on the island. I suggest you google this prior to arriving if you have any chronic health issues or a clumsy toddler like we do!

We were on the 5 th biggest island in the entire archipelago with nearly 2000 inhabitants. Our toddler ensured we got the entire tour of the Kaashidhoo hospital as he sustained a deep gash next to his eye. They had a doctor who had limited English but lots of pointing and charades lead to a good level of care.

Should higher levels of care be required, people are transferred to Male by “Sea Ambulance”.

The Shangri-La Maldives had a dedicated medical practitioner available 24 hours a day. Luckily this time no doctor was required!

Environment

It is very hot and humid in April and less-so in September. For both trips I was grateful for air-conditioning. It’s easy to get sunburned. I got severely sunburned on my legs in April, so badly they blistered. Rather than constantly applying sunscreen I would recommend using long sleeved ‘rashies’. They’re great for protection from sunburn and you can cut back on sunscreen which is good for the reef and marine life.

In September, the heat was much more manageable and the humidity was much lower. I still managed to get sunburned arms, even with sunscreen on!

Irrespective of the time of year, I would give the following advice. It is mostly common sense but I tried to limit the kid’s exposure to the sun from 10 am to 3 pm. I gave them water and fresh juice at every chance. It got to a point where my toddler would say “enough enough” when I gave him a drink!

Taking a hat and covering up is vital. I took cotton long sleeved tops for the boys to wear. I would bring a high SPF sunscreen with you from home. Although we could get some on the island I wouldn’t assume you purchase things like sunscreen, particularly on smaller islands.

We visited at the end of April and only experienced one extreme downpour. The monsoon season in the Maldives is from mid-May to start of November. During this period, there can be very rough seas making water transport potentially dangerous and water activates unpleasant. I stayed at the resort at the end of September and it was wet, rainy and a little rugged at times. We experienced a few thunderstorms that left as dramatically as they arrived. It did get very windy during these storms. Luckily, it was brief and did not significantly affect our stay.

Tap water is obtained from underground sources on Kaashidhoo and other islands. It was stinky but you got used to it. Either way, do not drink the tap water!

The water on the resort island of Villingili was very clean. The resort filtered and made their own safe drinking water and bottled it themselves. They save over 200,000 plastic bottles per year from this!

In April, we saw many locals throw their rubbish straight into the sea. Pollution was a real issue around Male. Coming from Australia I was so shocked to see a woman throw an entire dirty nappy into the sea! It was not an isolated incident.

The resort islands will not have rubbish issues like inhabited islands as they have proper waste management. Kaashidhoo seemed to have a much better grasp of the environmental impact of littering. They cleaned the beaches regularly.

Our guesthouse host said many Maldivians are simply uneducated about the issues of littering. It is something to remember if you are planning on going to different local islands. Some will be cleaner than others!

In September, although the resort was so close to 4 inhabited islands, the area had very little rubbish. I saw 2 plastic bottles on the beach. Unlike Male where we saw hundreds of bottles and rubbish in the waters surrounding the island and airport. The Shangri-La Maldives also actively reduces its use of plastics and other single-use items.

Coral bleach & global warming

Like the rest of the world’s coral reefs, Maldivian coral has been hit hard by coral bleaching. You could see signs of the coral trying to recover. As visitors, we can help by minimizing any impacts on the reef by not using sunscreen or bug spray prior to snorkeling. It goes without saying we shouldn’t stand on, touch or break off the coral.

As many people probably are aware, Maldives are arguably one of the most susceptible countries in the world to being lost to rising water levels. Our hosts said the inhabited islands have already started to ‘reclaim land’. They do this by digging up sand from one area in the atoll and building up the sides of the islands. That obviously has a raft of environmental issues associated with it.

You do need to be careful on Malé. They have a history of violent incidents. I would not choose to stay there. We felt perfectly safe on the inhabited islands even though they were having a local election at the time.

Our verdict

We had an amazing time in April. The Maldivian people are warm and welcoming; we felt like we were leaving family at the inhabited island. I would encourage everyone to look beyond the resorts and get to know the real Maldives.

Like anywhere in the world there are upsides and downsides. It is not perfect. The environmental issues were most obvious but there are people passionate about their country and striving for change.

The resort stay we had at Shangri-La Maldives was glorious and luxurious. It was at times I felt some things were just too indulgent, specifically the food serving sizes. Overall though, we had an absolutely wonderful stay and met some beautiful staff.

We are looking forward to going back again the future. My ideal itinerary would include both an inhabited and resort stay.

You can follow Alana and her families travels at Family Bites Travel and find them on  Facebook , Instagram and Youtube .

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Why Time Is Running Out Across the Maldives’ Lovely Little Islands

Global tourism brought a modern economy to the country’s thousand islands. For many Maldivians, the teeming capital beckons.

Teenagers gathering to watch the sun set in Nolhivaranfaru, a remote island in the Maldives. Credit...

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By Alex Travelli and Maahil Mohamed

Photographs by Elke Scholiers

Reporting from Malé, its nearby islands and Nolhivaranfaru in the Maldives

• April 6, 2024

To live in the Maldives is to live in one of two worlds. Either you belong to the capital — Malé, a micro-Manhattan in the Indian Ocean — or you are out in “the islands,” among the quietest and most remote villages this side of the Arctic tundra.

It is in these places — far from the archipelago’s walled-garden resort atolls, where no Maldivians actually dwell — that the country is picking between two visions of its future, like much of the rest of Asia, but more so.

The outer islands are steadily depopulating, as the appeal of making a life through tuna fishing and coconut farming along their crushed-coral seashores shrinks. The splendid isolation may be what attracts visitors, but it seems incompatible with islanders’ aspirations in a nation modernized by global tourism.

As Maldivians give up on island life, the government feels compelled to keep building up Malé, the country’s one real city. But Malé is already pressed up hard against the limits of human habitation. By some measures, it is the most densely populated island on earth, with over a third of the country’s 520,000 people on a landmass that can be crossed by foot in about 20 minutes.

If more Maldivians are going to move there, its physical structure will need to be radically reworked. In the meantime, it is sprawling outward wherever it can: The government is surrounding Malé with sea bridges to artificial islands packed with housing projects financed by China and India .

On Jan. 22, President Mohamed Muizzu announced his otherworldly vision for an undersea tunnel between Malé proper and a land-reclamation project where Chinese investors will help build 65,000 housing units on what is now barely a sandbar.

Mr. Muizzu, a civil engineer by training, said the tunnel would “provide beautiful views of the sea” as commuters passed through it. (Feasibility to be determined.)

Humay Ghafoor, a researcher who campaigns against environmental degradation, said that “nobody does any assessments” before commissioning “massive infrastructure” projects. This allows an airport, for instance, to be built over a mangrove, destroying a whole island’s freshwater supply.

The Maldives consists of a thousand islands stretched along a 550-mile axis, each one a bit of exposed coral that grew from the rims of a prehistoric range of undersea volcanoes. These form rings called atolls — a word that comes to English from the native Dhivehi language. Most of the 188 inhabited islands have fewer than 1,000 residents.

The resorts — those airy villas floating over turquoise seas — are all on technically “uninhabited” islands. The guests are foreign, and most of the staff is, too, mainly from India and Bangladesh. In some ways, the resorts are like offshore oil rigs, pumping out nearly all of the country’s income. By design, they are divorced from Maldivian culture and abstracted from their South Asian location.

Bay of Bengal

Nolhivaranfaru

The typical inhabited island is likewise rich in sunshine and warmth and has access to a shallow lagoon, palm trees and maybe a mangrove forest. The inhabitants are highly literate, many are English-speaking and they are connected to the rest of the world by the internet, mobile data and long ferry routes.

Their traditions survive, still. Perhaps every island except Malé has a holhuashi, a covered seating platform at its harbor, sometimes circled by hanging woven chairs. Men gather to rest at midday and exchange gossip.

There is little doubt that climate change will eventually bring doom to this country, most of which is just a meter or two above sea level. But that catastrophe is thought to be a century or more away.

Instead, Maldivians are leaving the islands for the sake of their children, looking to Malé and the world beyond. When it comes to education and health care, there is no substitute for city life.

Nolhivaranfaru, a fishhook-shaped bit of powdery white sand, with a green and fertile core between its beaches, is like many of the Maldives’ inhabited islands. Flowering frangipani stand over an Islamic cemetery near its piers, centered around a centuries-old shrine to an Arab pilgrim. It takes 25 minutes by speedboat to reach the nearest landmass and two airplanes from there to get to neighboring India.

That is a journey that Maryam Asima, a 30-year-old mother of twins, made at great cost and personal hardship. She and her husband, the captain of a tourist yacht that docks 175 miles away, near Malé, had been unable to conceive. Two years ago, Ms. Asima and her sister, who was in a similar position, traveled to Kochi, India, a city of 2.1 million, where they made do on their own during 11 months of IVF treatment.

Health care remains rudimentary even on the better connected of the outer islands. Staff at the local clinic scoff at the idea of someday providing IVF. They say quietly that even most emergency care is beyond them: Any patient who needs a ventilator must be flown hundreds of miles away.

Ms. Asima, now back on the island with her 6-month-old twins, says she is satisfied with the results of her ordeal. Her sister has given her a nephew, too. With her encouragement, two other women from the island have become pregnant in the same way. The government has started offering $500 subsidies and the possibility of free air travel for families that need to go abroad for IVF.

She likes the “home feeling” of her island and hopes to send her children to school there, even if they need to travel to a nearby island to see a pediatrician. But this is not her first home: Ms. Asima was born on an even smaller island, Maavaidhoo, which was abandoned after being swamped by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

Many Maldivians have been on the move for a generation or more, leaving smaller communities for larger ones. More than anywhere else, those who can afford it go to Malé.

Thirty years ago, it was not unusual for families to send unaccompanied minors on long ferry journeys, of 20 hours or more, to live in Malé. They would stay with distant relatives or even strangers and work as pint-size housekeepers to pay for their room and board as they attended one of the country’s better schools.

Island families still send their children to study in Malé, but usually now they travel as teenagers; better primary schooling is available even in remote places.

The cramped conditions of the capital are the first challenge they face. A compact grid of streets jams pedestrians, motorbikes, workshops and luxury perfumers together like a miniature version of central Hong Kong. One-bedroom apartments rent for five times the starting salary of a government office worker.

Ajuvad, a nervous, soft-spoken 23-year-old, came to Malé at 16 to join his older siblings, six people crammed into three bedrooms. They are all professionals, with jobs as teachers and technicians. But they were raised in another world, a 36-hour ferry ride away. There, the beach was a five-minute walk away with no roads and no motorbikes, and their home was a four-bedroom house that their father, a fisherman, built himself. Their mother made fish paste and sold it to neighbors.

Ajuvad, who asked that his last name be withheld to protect his privacy, remembers the transition as being “quite a challenge.” Having to live without his parents, and without an inch of space to study alone in quiet, he said, “I thought my world had collapsed.”

Ahmed Abbas, a 39-year-old hardware salesman, had an easier time moving into Malé’s urban sprawl from a distant southern island 12 years ago. His family of six shares a two-bedroom apartment in a complex built by Chinese developers, across a sea bridge from the city proper. They spend only half of their income on rent, and he drives to the city, 25 minutes each way, twice a day.

Mr. Abbas studied and worked around South India for many years before settling down. He has seen enough of the world to appreciate his family’s perch, which they share with two love birds: Small, exotic pets are a big business in little Malé.

But he still misses the island life. Back home, it was “nice because the people are nice,” he said, “normal country people, all smiling.”

Alex Travelli is a correspondent for The Times based in New Delhi, covering business and economic matters in India and the rest of South Asia. He previously worked as an editor and correspondent for The Economist. More about Alex Travelli

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