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Life has many pleasures, but watching the sunset with sand lodged between your toes has to be high on the list. Vacations are an ideal time to unwind from the work stress, school and generally, the stress that comes with life’s routine. I cannot think of a better way to hit the reset button than a family trip to the picturesque Maldives.
Maldives is an exceptional bucket list escape that will dissipate all worries as soon as you set foot on the powdery sand beaches. Privacy and isolation. A glimpse of the magnificent. A true Maldives beach escape will make one feel as if they discovered paradise.
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Perched in the Indian Ocean, this assortment of islands, atolls, and clusters remains one of the most cherished havens for luxury travelers worldwide. It is 99% water and 1% land, yet still, you will get a lot of private time to bond with the family. The paradise has nearly 1200 islands, with only around 200 inhabited leaving plenty of wiggle room for a quiet time.
The formations, sculpted by volcanic activity, present a stunning biodiversity tapestry and evoke profound drama. However, there is so much more to a Maldives vacation than meets the eye.
Like any other trip, meticulous planning goes a long way to having a successful Maldives family vacation. Luckily, our guide cuts through the noise, helping you craft an unforgettable journey to one of Earth’s dreamy islands. So, if you love diving, savoring delectable cuisine, exploring coral reefs, wandering around dormant volcanoes, enjoying water sports, and taking romantic moonlit walks, look no further.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
Generally, the best time to visit Maldives is from November to April, outside the monsoon. During the season, the islands experience warm and tropical climate with highs of around 29°C to 31°C and lows not lower than 24°C. January to April are the driest months, with less rain and humidity. However, this is when resorts are busiest. From May to December, it’s still warm, but there’s more chances of rain and storms. Nevertheless, you will still see lots of bright sun.
The weather isn’t the only thing to consider when planning your Maldives trip! You should also consider your budget, when you can get time off work, or even the best times for surfing and diving. Here are some other things to think about to help you decide.
Cheapest month to visit the Maldives
For the best deals on flights and places to stay, we recommend going to the Maldives from May to November. There might be more rain this season, but you will find fewer people at the resorts and get excellent vacation deals.
Many people visit the Maldives between November and April when there is no monsoon. This way, they can enjoy lots of sunny days. However, this time of year is pricier than the rainy season. If you travel from December to March (the high season), you will get expensive quotations for flights and stay places.
Best time for diving and surfing in the Maldives
For excellent surfing, go to the Maldives from March to October. Diving is good all year, with clearer views on the island’s west side from May to November and on the east side from December to April. In the rainy season, you can see many hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and reef sharks.
Is it expensive to go to the Maldives?
The cost of plane tickets to the Maldives can change based on when you go, which airline you pick, and where you depart from. Usually, flights from big cities like New York, London, or Sydney might cost you anywhere from $500 to $1500 per person for a round trip.
However, these prices can go up and down depending on how many seats are free, special offers, and other factors. For the best deals, book your trip when not many people are going and avoid big national holidays. It also helps to be a little flexible with your travel dates. So, book your flights early, and check different airlines for the best price.
Skyscanner is a resourceful tool that lets you search for flights across a whole month. Research shows that the cheapest flights usually leave on a Tuesday or Wednesday. In addition, if you are okay with flying very early or late at night, those flights are generally the cheapest. Sometimes, hotels and resorts have deals that include flights, which could be an easy and money-saving choice.
How much does a 7-day vacation in the Maldives cost?
A one-week vacation to the Maldives typically costs about $2105 for one person. So, if two people go on the trip, it’s around $4210 for the week. If you’re a family of three or four, the cost per person usually decreases because kids’ tickets are cheaper, and you can share hotel rooms. If you plan to stay longer, your daily budget goes down further. For example, two people traveling together for a month in the Maldives might spend less per day per person than one person traveling alone for a week.
The top trick for a family trip to the Maldives is choosing tour packages, which usually include flights and hotels. On average, a tour package in the Maldives costs around $315 per day. Remember, the cost might differ based on package details, duration, places to visit, and overall hotel and airline ticket quality. This daily average cost is deduced from online guided tour options across the Maldives.
Are the Maldives really worth it?
It’s worth every penny! The Maldives is a place that so many travelers dream of visiting. It is one of the most stunning and unique family vacation spots. You can bring your kids to this captivating place and watch them have a great time at the beach, building sandcastles or playing in the water. Here are a couple of things you can do with the kids in the Maldives;
Island hopping via cruise ship
You and the kids can have an amazing island-hopping adventure on a cruise in the Maldives. You can pick from more than 1900 islands while sailing along the coastlines. There are plenty of luxurious cruises in the Maldives to give you a fancy experience as you hop from island to island. Your kids can enjoy the stunning sunset over the ocean from the deck if you opt for the sunset cruise.
Watersports
While on a family trip with the kids to the Maldives, make sure to add watersports to your itinerary. The islands mostly have gentle waves by the beaches, so it’s safe for the kids to engage in water activities such as scuba diving and canoeing to explore the tranquil waters. Seeing eagle rays, huge turtles, and dolphins swimming around as they dive will be cool. Your kids will love this awesome experience.
For an ultimate experience, take the snorkeling safari at Male. The safari is a great way to experience all that the Maldives has. It’s a three-hour snorkeling trip. First, you will get a crash course on snorkeling, and then you can swim with fish and see the amazing sea life! Kids will love this, because who doesn’t like a safari?
Enjoy an outdoor sunset cinema
In the beautiful outdoor theaters of Maldives, you and the kids can relax on a cozy couch under the starry sky. You can enjoy watching your favorite movies on your villa’s deck. Maldives has many resorts and hotels where, if you ask, they can arrange for a movie night on the beach.
You can also savor the delicious Maldivian food as you watch the movie. Dining on the beach is a popular thing to do here. It doesn’t matter if you’re feasting on your villa’s private beach or a quiet island – you’ll love seeing the ocean and feeling the sand on your feet. And if you’re a fan of barbeque, you can ask for that too!
Go fishing
Due to the many lagoons, fishing is on the list of things to do in the Maldives. No matter the island, you’ll see folks heading to the shore with their fishing rods. The best part is that fishing is a great bonding activity. To indulge in the activity, rent the old-style boats called Dhonis. These are the traditional boats used by locals. We advise you to go out with a guide who is well acquainted with the area as a precaution.
Visit a kids club
Discovering an excellent vacation spot with a kids’ club that simplifies things and many child-friendly amenities makes for a peaceful family trip. Kids’ clubs often have pools, games, toys, and play areas. Some even provide classes such as painting, dancing, and cooking. These clubs usually have friendly staff who engage with kids warmly, offering creative and active activities. Also, it should allow you a few hours of quiet time and relaxation on your Maldives vacation.
Go dolphin spotting
The Maldives offers the rare opportunity to see marine life in its pristine form. The islands are famous for their diverse marine creatures, especially manta rays and whale sharks. The islands are also home to various kinds of dolphins, which you can spot swimming gracefully in the nearby waters.
A dolphin-watching adventure is one of the most enjoyable and heartwarming activities for families in the Maldives. You can watch dolphins leaping and playing as they swim alongside the Dhonis. While we can’t promise nature’s behavior, you won’t find a better opportunity to see wild dolphins having fun in their natural home than in the Maldives.
Best family-friendly hotels in the Maldives
At first glance, one might think Maldives vacations are meant only for couples. But besides the romantic dinners and private pools, the top hotels in the Maldives are also great for families. While there, you’ll find beachfront houses in tropical gardens by peaceful lagoon waters.
Kids can enjoy cool activities like painting coconuts, searching for treasures on the beach, and even doing yoga. Getting around these hotels is easy, too, with quick golf cart rides, bikes for kids, or a short walk under palm trees. Without further ado, here are the five best family-friendly hotels in the Maldives;
Vakkaru Maldives
The place is fantastic – a private island with a tall jungle of coconut trees that gives Vakkaru a special feeling like nowhere else. Everything dreamy about the Maldives is found here, just more private.
Families enjoy Vakkaru. So much so that they’re making even bigger beach villas that connect because of the huge demand. And if you’re good at swimming, you can easily get to the house reef in the water. You can also go on trips to snorkel with turtles and manta rays.
For the kids, there’s a unique pool at the Parrot Fish kids club with cute little sunbeds. This outside play area has many things to do, like a place to play beach football, a trampoline, a stage for shows, and a foosball table. Inside are rooms with air conditioning to play in and a room with video games.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort hotel
Experience the most glamorous side of the Maldives. Enjoy luxurious dining like never before. This island attracts stylish travelers from all corners of the globe. And while there’s plenty of delicious lobster and bubbly Champagne, St. Regis keeps things down-to-earth.
They even offer spill-proof Paw Patrol cups for toddlers at their restaurants. The young guests can choose from classic kids’ menu items and unique dishes that match each restaurant’s style – like mango sushi or tempura at the Oriental restaurant.
Everyone can have fun at the huge recreation center, where you’ll find the gym, aerial yoga studio, and a big kids’ club with different rooms. There’s a kitchen for cooking classes, a space for crafts and activities, and even an outdoor pirate ship playground.
Teens have their cool hangout called the Socialite Club, with a pool table, chess, and video games. You can also play with pool toys in the infinity pool by the beach, and every villa comes with bicycles – even little ones with training wheels.
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives
In the Maldives, hotels usually give guests coconuts to drink as a welcoming treat. But not at The Standard. When you arrive here, they give you coconut ice cream instead. It’s in red pouches with the hotel’s purposely upside-down logo. The Standard is special because it started as a concept destination for famous people from Hollywood and is in big cities like New York, Miami, and London. Now it’s in the Maldives, bringing the everyday traveler a cool and unique experience.
The villas are on the water and have fun things like disco balls and see-through floors in the bathroom. Lounges have banquette seats that can double as beds for kids. The hotel also has villas with two bedrooms overwater and by the beach.
For kids who are four years and older, there’s a special club in the tropical gardens. It has activities like kid’s yoga, coconut painting, and volleyball. The club rooms are nice and cool, with air conditioning and colorful murals. Outside, there’s a playground with slides, a trampoline, a ball pit, and a pool. Kids can choose from a special menu with three courses at restaurants.
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences
Amilla Maldives is a little sandy spot in the candy-blue Baa Atoll. It’s hidden in a forest where tall coconut palms stand over screw pines and hibiscus. You can hear flying foxes chattering and making a fuss in the treetops. Amilla has it all: lots of great food, a butler service that’s super easy to get used to, a lovely spa, a tennis court – tons of fun things to do on the land and in the sea.
Last year, it became the first resort in the world to get the approval of the accessible holiday expert, Inclucare. They were credited for how they take care of people with different mobility, sensory, and thinking needs. Also, there’s a kids’ club that goes on all day, and it’s full of cool fun activities like taking pictures, making pizza, doing crafts, painting faces, putting on henna tattoos, and going on treasure hunts.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives opened in 2021 and is only a 45-minute boat ride from the airport. An Australian architect named Kerry Hill designed the resort with kids in mind. Just like the rooms in the resort, this place is round. It looks like an extraordinary land from the future with a grass roof and round windows, kind of like Teletubbyland. The rooms have special Bamford things for babies.
The kids are kept happy and occupied with fun activities like cupcake decorating, colorful tie-dye stuff, painting faces, creating pom-poms, and playing with wooden Plan Toys ranging from flying horses to dinosaur puzzles. There’s also a shaded outdoor pool with a slide, fountains, and inflatable toys.
Visiting the Maldives with kids is an excellent idea. The beautiful beaches, clear waters, and gentle waves make it a perfect place for families to relax and have fun. Kids can enjoy building sandcastles, swimming in the shallow waters, and discovering colorful fish while snorkeling. The safe environment ensures a pleasant and memorable experience for the entire family. So, if you’re considering a family vacation, the Maldives is a fantastic choice for sun, sea, and smiles!