Maldives with kids: 5 important questions to ask before booking

I often get strange looks when I say that my son and I have traveled solo to the 15+ islands in the Maldives over the past six years. While the Maldives is known as a honeymoon destination for its stunning tropical beauty, it’s also the perfect family getaway. But with more than 150 resorts to choose from, choosing the right hotel is key, especially when you’re vacationing with kids. Here are some tips to help you choose a kid-friendly resort in the Maldives:

Seaplane or Speedboat?

If you’re traveling with a baby or have arrived in the capital, Male, on multiple flights, it’s best to choose a resort that takes a speedboat from the airport. The speedboats aren’t particularly bumpy, but if you plan to visit the Maldives during the monsoon (June-October), check the hotel for larger speedboats that will be more comfortable.

Some resorts that are farther away can only be reached by seaplane or domestic flight after arriving in Male. (There may also be a short speedboat transfer from the seaplane to the resort jetty). This will add to the overall shipping time and travel cost.

The trade-off is that resorts farther from Male are more secluded without tankers, local boats and speedboats passing by. Remote islands are more likely to have the Robinson Crusoe experience you’ve always dreamed of. For older children, the thrill of flying over the picturesque islands is an unforgettable experience in itself.

Tip: Choose an island about an hour away by speedboat to get the ideal balance between remote island experience and commuting convenience.

Taking Kids to the Maldives: Beach Villa or Water Villa?

The myriad of villa categories and different views may seem confusing at first glance. Differences in room classifications are often based on their location:

Situated on the island (Garden or Island Villas) or directly on the beach (Beach Villas)

On the water on the lagoon side of the island, with shallow turquoise water (overwater villas), or facing the open ocean (ocean villas), usually the premium category

Be sure to check the room descriptions on the hotel’s website or discuss options with an experienced agent, as each hotel categorizes rooms in its own way and has its own hierarchy. In some cases, beach villas may rank higher in the classification than water villas, which is counter-intuitive.

The overwater villa experience is quintessentially Maldivian, especially if the island has a house reef and your kids can snorkel. You can walk directly from your overwater villa to see amazing marine life – manta rays, turtles and reef sharks. Some islands in the Maldives are reclaimed or man-made, so the chances of spotting marine life are lower, so it is advisable to do a quick check to see if it is a natural island before booking a water villa.

The water villas have direct access to the island lagoon via narrow stairs, which poses a safety hazard for young children. The water villas are arranged on both sides of the wooden walkway leading to the lagoon, so young children need to be supervised when entering the villa. As a result, most hotels have a minimum age requirement for overwater villas, so double check with the hotel before booking. Some resorts are equipped with safety measures such as proper railings and child safety locks above decks and villas. These allow children of all ages if you sign a waiver. Families with young children will enjoy the beach villas facing the shallow island lagoon.

Upgrading to a room with a better location on the island, with a private pool or jacuzzi and a priority view (think sunset vs. sunrise) can make a big difference to the budget. Also keep in mind that islands vary widely in size and number of rooms (ranging from 30 to over 200 rooms), and a smaller island doesn’t necessarily mean fewer rooms. Premium islands have a lower density of accommodation, which means that there are fewer rooms in a given island area and therefore more privacy.

Tip: If you want to indulge in the perfect Maldives experience, the Sunset Water Villa with Private Pool is our choice.

Maldives with Kids: Are Kids Enough?

Unlike other resorts, in the Maldives you can only do activities and entertainment on your own island. If you want to spend some private time with your parents, choose one of the islands where the kids can enjoy their time with the resort staff while you indulge in diving, spa treatments or just some sweetness in paradise time. If quiet evenings aren’t for you, there are resorts that offer lively family activities including karaoke, live music and club nights, treasure hunts, quiz nights and more.

Most of the islands have a schedule of fun kids activities not limited to indoor kids clubs but group snorkeling, beach games, scavenger hunts, hermit crab races and even campfire and cotton candy nights, movie nights and pajamas After sunset events such as parties.

If you want to introduce your kids (ages 8 and up) to diving, be sure to choose an island that offers the PADI Bubblemaker Introductory Dive Course. For older kids, some hotels even offer rock climbing, spa treatments, painting studios, and dedicated teen clubs and game centers.

Tip: For an immersive learning experience for kids, choose an island or ocean discovery center with a coral adoption program where kids can contribute to the environment by planting coral or learning how to restore sea turtles and other marine life

Maldives with kids: full board plan or all inclusive?

Unlike standard breakfast-included packages, choosing a meal-inclusive package in the Maldives is a smart choice considering the cost of meals. In the Maldives, your dining options range from buffets to dinners by Michelin-starred chefs. Most small islands only have a few restaurants, so if you have a picky eater or are limited by food restrictions, research your options.

Be sure to read the fine print on meal inclusions, as these vary widely. Full board includes all buffet meals, usually limited to all-day dining restaurants, and usually doesn’t even include non-alcoholic beverages. After a few days, you’ll be craving food variety and a change of scenery. This meal plan does not include room service or snacks. So it’s a good idea to carry lightly packaged snacks for the kids to take between meals.

On the other hand, an all-inclusive plan will include all meals and a minibar. Evening afternoon tea, beverages and even complimentary kids’ club activities, non-motorized water sports or children’s spa treatments. That way, you don’t have to worry about all the extra costs on your vacation. Unlike all-inclusive packages, these packages also include à la carte meals at specialty restaurants, giving you even more options. While these are usually only available at budget resorts; several luxury all-inclusive resorts have opened in recent years.

Self-catering is not an option, as most standard villas have just an electric kettle, only the larger ultra-luxury family villas or private sanctuaries with multiple rooms have kitchenettes or full kitchens, often with a resident chef.

Tip: Choose the all-inclusive plan on the island, which offers a variety of restaurants, both à la carte and buffet. Several hotels allow children under 12 to stay and eat for free and offer separate children’s menus. Pay attention to these.

Maldives with Children: What’s the Plan for Medical Emergencies?

Most resorts will have a resident doctor, or share one with another nearby resort. However, serious injuries or illnesses require travel to Male, or to a local hospital in the nearest atoll capital.

Even obtaining essential medicines is expensive and difficult. So ask about the nearest medical facility, buy health insurance and carry a set of medicines in case you need them.

However, some islands have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities such as ultrasound, X-ray equipment and decompression chambers (for divers), 24/7 nurses and even dentists. If your child is planning to take Bubblemaker or dive lessons for the first time, check the facilities that are available.

The most common risk is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Invest in a coral-safe high SPF waterproof sunscreen, sun protection top or full-coverage swimsuit and make sure the kids stay well hydrated!

Tip: Two simple but essential items besides a kid’s medical kit are snorkel shoes to avoid cuts and scrapes from coral and shells while playing at the beach or snorkeling, and an all-natural insect repellent.

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