Maldives family holidays and breaks

If your idea of perfect family holidays is crystal-clear waters and fishing boats bringing in your lunch while your children play on pristine white sands, splash in shallow lagoons or make friends at one of the growing number of kids' clubs, these islands south-west of India are for you. Throw in a handful of the world’s best dive sites and most luxurious resorts, and the 1,190 islands stretching out into the Indian Ocean offer the perfect combination of sun, sand and sea.

Though they are not the place for budget holidays, the Maldives are becoming more popular as a family-holiday destination, with a string of child-friendly resorts helping dispel their reputation as a place for honeymooners. With some hotels exceeding five stars, just expect your wallet to take a pounding, especially if your kids develop a taste for spa treatments such as the Super Sundae Supremo body scrub offered by the Conrad Rangali or for the mock champagne served up at the Constance Halaveli…

Capital City	Male
Flying Time	12 hours
Carbon Footprint	9.75 tonnes CO2
Timezone	GMT +5
Local Currency	Rufiyaa

What to Do

Dive in. If your kids have ever shown any interest in diving or snorkelling, this is the place to do it – the shallow lagoons make it very safe. The atoll formations that make the Maldives so spectacularly beautiful also make them a wonderful destination for scuba divers, attracted by the tropical fish that gather around the coral. The Indian Ocean surrounding the Maldives offers spectacular visibility for divers, sometimes exceeding 50m. All island-resorts have professional dive schools, and some even boast their own house reefs just a short swim from the beach.

For those not quite ready to take the plunge, glass-bottomed boats offer the perfect way for families with smaller children to get up-close and personal with spectacular marine life. For something a little more Jules Verne, Whale Submarine, the world’s largest passenger submarine, dives to an impressive 36m below the surface. Trips depart from Malé and can be booked at your resort.

Fishing and whale-watching trips are also easily organised from resorts, with the Maldives one of the top five places in the world to see dolphins and whales, including blue, sperm and pilot whales. 

Take to the waves – the Maldives are also fast-becoming an established surfing destination. The Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll is a good beginners' spot, while the Maldives Tourist Board lists sites for more experienced surfers.  

Experience life outside the resorts during family holidays here, with a shopping trip to the capital Malé or a visit to the town of Seenu on Addu Atoll, from where you can visit traditional Maldivian island communities. 

Where to Stay

Take time to choose the best resort for your family. The Maldives consist of more than 1,000 islands spread over atolls, ring-like coral formations that enclose lagoons; many islands are resorts in themselves. A self-contained option with amenities including a babysitting service, a children’s menu and perhaps a kids' club is best for most family holidays.

Whether you are after a beachside bungalow or something a little more grand – perhaps a beach villa at the wonderfully luxurious Conrad Maldives Rangali Island or a water villa at the One and Only Kanuhara Resort, there is a surprising number of family-friendly resorts to choose from. For more luxury child-friendly options, including the terrific-value Kurumba Village, see the right-hand column of this page.

Thomson offers great deals in some excellent family resorts on five of the coral islands, as does Virgin Holidays.

When

The Maldives’ tropical climate means warm temperatures year-round, with an annual daily average of 30°C and an average water temperature of a delicious 28-30°C.

The peak season is Dec-Apr, making the islands the perfect spot for Christmas family holidays. The south-west monsoon from May to September brings the wet season, with May and October recording the highest monthly rainfall. Rough seas and strong winds are common during this period. 

How

Malé International Airport is on Huhule Island, a few kilometres from the capital. Flight times from the UK are around 12hrs, with the Maldives 5hrs ahead of the UK, so expect some jet-lag. Onward transfers to the resorts from Malé are by speedboat or seaplane.

Family-friendly airlines such as British Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines operate regular flights to Malé, with stops in Dubai or Singapore. Emirates flights (via Dubai) depart 5 times a week from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow. Regular charter flights are also available from Thomson Airways (London Gatwick, Manchester), Monarch (Manchester) and First Choice. See our flight deals page.

Eat

Most resorts boast top international chefs who cook up wonderful global fare, with Western, Indian and South-east Asian dishes topping the bill, many based on the fabulous fresh local seafood. The growing number of family-friendly resorts usually have dedicated kids' menus, making family holidays a breeze where eating is concerned.

Cost

In the Maldives, the only limitation on luxury is the size of your wallet – packages start at £1200pp for 7 nights but can exceed £6,000 at the most exclusive resorts. If you're watching your budget, go in March or April, towards the end of the busiest season. All-inclusive options are another useful if restrictive way to cut the cost on family holidays.

The Maldivian currency is the rufiyaa and laaree, with US dollars the most commonly used foreign currency. Tipping is not expected, but tipping once a week is acceptable for hotel staff.

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