What to do in the Maldives with children

What you need to know about the Maldives

Thanks to the warmth and kindness of the Maldivians who truly love children, the incredibly rich marine biodiversity and a variety of exciting excursions, these 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean are the best attractions for children of all ages.

The trip to the Maldives is quite long and is more suitable for older children. But once you arrive, you can immediately immerse yourself in a variety of unique family activities. Enjoy scuba diving safaris, pristine beach walks, submarine excursions and delicious local island cuisine.

Traveling to the Maldives can be expensive, but most resorts offer tour packages where children stay and eat free. Families can save even more by traveling during the off-season (May-November), staying in guest houses and using local transport such as ferries. Check ferry schedules before arriving, but keep in mind that they may change due to weather and other reasons. However, there are other types of transport between the islands that are very economical. So, a speedboat ride from Male to Guli and Maafushi costs about $30 per person.

You can visit the Maldives with very young children and have a great time, but children aged seven and above will really appreciate all the adventures on offer and get the most out of their holiday here.

Where is the best place to relax with children in the Maldives?

Combine a self-guided trip to inexpensive local islands such as Maafushi, where you can experience a real taste of life in the Maldives, with a comfortable stay at a resort with swimming pools, kids' clubs and water parks. A brief taste of luxury with a few days at a private island resort, or just a day trip is a very good option.

Children will play for hours at Siyam World, the largest water park in the Indian Ocean. There is also a Kidz World club, aimed at children aged 4 to 12 years old, which offers a variety of activities. Dhigurah Island, where Siyam World is located, can be reached by fun purple buggies that look like elongated golf carts, with stops named after cities around the world.

At the resort Soneva Fushi children can play in the largest playground in South Asia, the size of six tennis courts, with a pirate ship and giant piano keys built into the floor. Qualified nannies supervise all entertainment so parents can relax.

With babies and toddlers, it would be best to play on the beach. The Maldives offers the perfect beach holiday, and while babies and toddlers may not remember the experience, their parents certainly never will! Many resorts, large and small, have beach toys that you can use, so don't bring them with you, it's better to save space in your luggage. Find a sandbar where you can easily create a small, shallow pool filled with warm water, and let your little one splash and play in it.

But with older children, you can consider more active and interesting leisure and pastime:

• Go on an underwater safari. Most resorts provide fins, a mask and a snorkel so you can explore the reefs right from the beach or even from your overwater room. You can also book excursions to sail a little further and see schools of shimmering blue surgeonfish, striped snapper, parrotfish and triggerfish.
• Submarine ride. Book a trip on the Whale Submarine, South Asia's only passenger submarine, where you can observe ocean life at depths of up to 150m. Children aged three years and above are warmly welcomed on board. The dive site is located just 500 meters west of Male.
• Visit the glowing beach of Vaadhoo Island. Bioluminescent beaches in the Maldives demonstrate a natural phenomenon where certain marine organisms emit light. As a result, the coastlines glow blue and green at night, creating a surreal, magical atmosphere that will delight your children. Visit the islands of Vaadhoo, Muddu, Rangali and Baa Atoll. These are just some of the places where you can observe the water glow at night.

Teenagers also have something to do on the paradise islands, for example:

• Let them learn about local marine conservation. Most resorts have marine biologists on staff. Older children and teens will enjoy doing their part for conservation with an afternoon of coral planting to renew coral reefs and repopulate damaged areas.
• Try water sports. Many beaches in the Maldives offer a variety of water sports such as kayaking, surfing and jet skiing. But why not try something different, like riding a Seabob? This jet ski allows you to literally fly above the surface of the water. Most resorts offer Seabob rentals, but you can also book one directly before your trip.
• Tour Male city. Add a tour of the capital Male to the start or end of your trip to enjoy a different side of the Maldives away from the luxury resorts and serene beaches. Stops should include white marble Old Friday Mosque, open to visitors outside prayer times, playgrounds in Rasrani Badzicha and shopping for souvenirs at the Majidhi Magu market.

Planning Tips

Before your trip, pack a basic first aid kit. Place child-safe insect repellent, sunscreen, and any medications you take in it. Pharmacy and medical care may not be available here, especially on the outer islands, although most hotels have a doctor on duty. You should also take medicine for motion sickness and seasickness with you.

Make sure you bring enough diapers to last your entire stay. The local islands may not have the brands you prefer and the prices are very high.