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Essential Maldives
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Child-friendly Maldives
- Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives4,273My older teens fell in love with this wild beauty of this jungly island—from the fruit bats wheeling above us as we cycled to the jetty to snorkel on the house reef to the baby sharks circling in the shallows beneath Just Veg, the hotel’s fine-dining vegetarian restaurant. Our vast Residence had its own circular pool. My teens also adored the boat ride to the Atoll Marine Conservation Centre on neighbouring Naifaru Island, where we saw rescue turtles up close.
- Varu Y Atmosphere - All Inclusive3,861It’s not often you get to book a massage for your 19-year-old daughter where she can spot sharks swimming by the glass panel in the floor, and post treatment, join her and her brother in the spa infinity pool. We also loved the inclusivity of KAAGÉ restaurant, whose name means “family dining room” in the local language. And the dishes like mas bai (tuna with coconut, chili, clove, and cardamom) couldn’t be beat.
- Ifuru Island Maldives48Newly-opened Ifuru is the only resort island in the Maldives with its own landing strip—which means planes can arrive at night. Bringing something of a rebellious, cheekier spirit to the Maldives, it offers skydiving for ages 10 years and up. Rochelle Kilgariff, the Island Vibe Boss (a.k.a., the GM) says it’s all about family get-togethers here, with beach suites and villas arranged in “retreats” and “villages,” ideal for multigenerational gatherings.
- Niyama Private Islands Maldives3,174I visited Niyama when my children were aged 15 and 12, and it ranks as one of our all-time top trips. The resort has two islands named (appropriately) Play and Chill. Unusual for the Maldives, there’s a surf break here, and my children loved taking lessons with the Surf Guru in the shallows. Other highlights included the BBQ night at the Surf Shack and dining under the waves, just like Spongebob at Subsix.
- Siyam World Maldives3,662I respect the fact that Siyam World goes all out for family fun. Not only is it home to the largest inflatable water park in the Indian Ocean, it also has its very own horse ranch with Marwari thoroughbreds for parents and a team of ponies for smaller guests to ride. Plus, there’s coral planting with the marine biologist and—for little soccer lovers—there are summer camps, complete with legends of the game.
- The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands724With all the flair you’d expect of a Ritz-Carlton, children are invited to experience the Maldives’ first Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programme, complete with marine biology classes. There’s also a series of visiting Masters of Craft throughout the year. Past workshops have included Rachel Khoo’s choux pastry masterclasses for little ones. And the special amenities for babies by Bamford are a nice touch.
- Six Senses Laamu4,142Marine conservation lies at the heart of what Six Senses Laamu wants children to take away from their holiday. Children go on snorkelling adventures and learn to make their own conservation videos. They also appreciate the autonomy of visiting the organic garden to make their own juices. And when it comes to indulgences, Six Senses delivers experiences like hair braiding, mini-facials, and pedicures in the spa for older children. Younger ones get spoiled, too, with cute toys in the beachfront family villa.
Explore Maldives by interest
Beaches, of course
Get out on the water
Island-hopping awaits
Maldives on a dime
Catch some waves
Make it a spa day
Dreamy infinity pools
Learn the local culture
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing The Maldives
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
Velana International Airport (VIA) is the only international airport in the Maldives. It offers several flights to/from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. From its location on Hulhule Island near the capital island of Male, you can grab your (usually pre-arranged) speedboat, seaplane or ferry to your destination island.
For more info, visit the Male Airport Guide or Trans Maldivian Airways.
Do I need a visa?
Though a 30-day tourist visa is given to all travelers upon arrival, there are certain entry requirements, such as a passport that’ll be valid for at least six months.
For more visa info, see here.
When is the best time to visit?
It doesn’t get much more tropical than the Maldives! And the best time to visit the Maldives is January through March, though prices may be higher this time of year. Prices are typically cheaper May through November during the rainy season. The average daily temperatures most times of the year are highs of 32 C (89 F) and lows of 26 C (78 F).
Speedboat
These high-speed boats are a common way to get around the islands, especially to/from the hotels and airports, but they can be expensive.
Seaplanes
These get you to the more far-flung islands in the Maldives if you want to island-hop, but these, too, can be expensive.
Ferry
Public ferries run between the inhabited islands, but schedules are often unreliable and can vary depending on the time of year. Visit here for more info.