6 Reasons to Plan a Family Trip to the Maldives Now

Many travelers (myself included, until recently!), categorized the Maldives as a romantic, couples-only destination, best for honeymoons, anniversaries, or once-in-a-lifetime milestone trips. While the destination is perfect for a romantic trip, did you know that the Maldives is also an amazing family destination?

Made up of a collection of islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are dotted with beautiful resorts across the region. While they may look similar, each are unique with something for everyone, and many are well-suited for family and multi-generational getaways. If you’ve never considered the Maldives for your next family trip, here are six reasons why you should!

Getting to the Maldives is half the adventure…

Wherever in the world you are touching down from, this chain of islands is remote and getting there is part of the fun! Kids and adults alike will love the beautiful journey, either by boat or seaplane. Some of the resorts are so close, that many resorts can be reached within an hour of touching down in Male.  If you know that your family might not be comfortable traveling in a small aircraft, let your travel advisor know, there are plenty of options reachable by boat.

For options that are a little bit more remote and further away from the main island, the famous Maldivian seaplane transfer piloted by barefoot crew is your option. With more than 200 islands dotting this part of the Indian Ocean, the view from above is not only spectacular, it’s also a brilliant way to arrive.

Mother Nature

a no-shoe, no-news policy helps you feel grounded in nature and disconnect from real life.

It’s hard to fathom the absolute beauty of the Maldives, and pictures can only give you a little insight.  The water varies between the most incredible shade of crystal clear blues to the most brilliant greens (depending on which island you are visiting) over powdery white sand.

The abundance of fish and sea life are an absolute treat.  I have never seen so many different and colourful species in one spot! If you are really lucky, you may even see some turtles or stingrays.

If snorkeling is important to you, work with your travel advisor to choose one with a great house reef. For the best snorkeling opportunities, kids need to be able to swim well. There are still plenty of options for younger children as well, and they will have just as much fun exploring closer to the beach.  Many resorts offer viewing platforms and netted beds where you can simply sit and watch the marine life go by.

If you have a chance, be sure to set sail on a sunset cruise to see the dolphins, it was hands down, one of my favorite experiences to date and it is also a great activity for the entire family to enjoy together.

Maldives: The Ultimate Social-Distance Destination

Part of what makes the Maldives so wonderful is the lack of crowds.  It’s a luxury to be able to enjoy the beautiful resorts and not worry about bumping into others when relaxing here. Many resorts have a no-shoe, no-news policy which really helps you feel grounded in nature and disconnect from real life. Walks on the beach, finding a quiet spot to enjoy the sunset and having the freedom to ride by bicycle up to breakfast (or even better, take your little boat!) instill a feeling of peace and quiet that’s hard to beat.  With no cars on island, the pace feels slow and safe.

The beach villas give you your very own private beach, your own little sanctuary. Whereas overwater bungalows give a different experience; older kids will love jumping off the deck straight into the ocean! No matter what type of vibe you’re after, your travel consultant can help match you to the right fit.

Family-Friendly Activities

I can’t stress how important it is to choose your resort carefully when visiting this remote part of the world, especially as the vast majority of your time will be spent on-property, and not all resorts are created equal. Some accommodations offer the best dive experiences, some have the best reef for snorkeling, and others offer a surf break.

Additional activities you’ll find in the Maldives include internationally-awarded spas, yoga studios, cooking classes, outdoor cinemas, garden tours, tennis, jet-skis, stand-up paddle boarding glass bottom kayaks for that all-important Instagram shot, and even a submarine!

find your children by the house reefs learning everything about the ocean and its creatures from a marine biologist.

With the kids in tow, a great Kids Club will be a welcome place for your little ones to explore.  In the Maldives, the kids clubs are an extension of the property and built with little ones in mind. One of my favourite kids club is at the One&Only Reethi Rah; it has the most beautiful swimming pool, hammocks, lots of shade and fun things to do for kids of all ages.  There are also educational and immersive programmes.

There’s no video games here, think coral planting session with onsite Marine Biologist, an Island Survival course, or perhaps they’d prefer being a Pirate for the day and heading out on board a traditional Dhoni in search for lost treasure below the turquoise seas. If they are up for it, a local game of football is also something that guests are encouraged to join.

Culinary Experience

Finding options to please everyone can at times be tricky when travelling.  But the culinary experience in the Maldives caters to all tastes and dietary requirements. Most resorts offer meal packages and generally they offer half and full board options. Buffet breakfasts are to die for and have everything included! My favourite dish I tasted throughout my visit was the Maldivian Breakfast, or Mashuni. Each resort had their own version of this very tasty dish which includes a cold flaky tuna mixed with some herbs, coconut, chili and onions served with flat bread alongside a fish curry.

With a host of options such as in-villa dining, sand bank private picnics and amazing restaurants on-property, resorts are really raising the bar. Options like wine cellars, Japanese sake tastings and even an under water restaurant (Ithaa at Conrad Maldives and Hurawalhi Island Resort) are available for families to privatize. As an added bonus, many of the resorts are becoming more sustainable and they have their own organic gardens on property.

The Maldives is the perfect year-round island destination

June to October is considered the monsoon season, where you are most likely to get some rain, but the weather is still warm and the rain generally doesn’t stick around for too long.  February to April is going to be the hottest while November to March is the dry season.  Of course, these patterns aren’t guaranteed, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.

Just in case you do need to be connected to the outside world, WiFi is reliable throughout all resorts. So if you can’t drag your teen away from their social media life, they will still feel very much connected and will get to post those amazing images in real-time! With that said, considering all of our busy lives, traveling as a family is not only a rewarding experience but also a luxury to spend uninterrupted time together away from distractions. The Maldives is is a no-stress destination…when do you want to go?