Our Top Picks For Families

The Maldives embodies the essence of a true tropical paradise: the endless powder white beaches, lush swaying palm trees and warm crystalline waters teeming with a kaleidoscope of multicoloured fish and corals. This has been drawing in visitors since the distant seventies. A luxury destination on many people’s bucket lists, the Maldives is a perfect island getaway - not just for jetsetters and honeymooners, but for families too! With easy flights to Male’, superb family resorts and activities galore, what more are you waiting for? Read on to find out our top picks for family getaways in the Maldives!

KANDIMA MALDIVES

More than just a holiday, Kandima is a picturesque, game-changing destination set on sandy white beaches and azure waters. Located in Dhaalu Atoll, the resort is reachable by a 30-minute flight from Male’ followed by a 20-minute boat ride to the island. Kandima boasts a luxuriant island setting with remarkable dining experiences and a wide range of activities to choose from - perfect for couples and families alike. The resort offers its guests a wealth of on-site activities and adventures suitable for guests of all ages. Choose from enticing spa treatments; dining at one of the 10 highly acclaimed restaurants and bars; to a plethora of recreational activities and sports.

Let’s be honest - children (and adults) need a time-out from each other - even in paradise! Kandiland is Kandima’s fantastic Kids Club, the largest of its kind in Maldives, where kids have their own impressive facility to spend their time in. Open daily from 9.00 till 20.00, it is run by a dedicated, multilingual team of fully certified child carers. They offer the younger guests, referred to as “little VIPs”, with a daily programme jam-packed with fun and informative activities, such as papier mache making, treasure hunts, shell collecting and much more. Kids can also learn to cook lunch in the al fresco mini kitchen, learn Maldivian culture with songs and dances, mini Zumba, be a Marine Biologist and plant corals back into the ocean… there is no shortage of kool things to do on this island!

ANANTARA DHIGU MALDIVES

At Anantara Dhigu Maldives, adventure awaits on every corner of the island; from the silvery sands and coconut groves to colourful marine life under the glistening Indian Ocean, this is the ultimate luxury island for a getaway with your friends and family. Guests can choose from expansive beach villas or over-water suites, all exuding tropical exoticism. Relax at the over-water spa, play tennis, explore the house reef, get involved in the Anantara Coral Adoption Programme. With some of the most spacious luxury villas in the Maldives, a first-class kids’ club and a huge choice of activities, Anantara Dhigu is the perfect setting for a beach holiday with the family.

The minute you step off on the resort jetty, little ones will be mesmerised by the marine life they see as they peer into the crystal waters - puffer fish, sting rays and baby reef sharks galore! The resort features many winding pathways which can be explored on foot or by bike, plus recreation areas around the island for older children and the whole family including table tennis, volleyball, and life-sized chess. While mums and dads are getting utterly spoilt - a visit to the spa, and Dining by Design is a must - the Dhoni Kids Club is where kids are in for a treat; children can participate in activities such as hermit crab racing, cooking classes, kite flying and themed treasure hunts. Upon arrival at the club, kids will receive their own beach bag, sun hat and colouring book as well. Older children and teens will be exhilarated by the choice of water-based activities available, including some of the best snorkelling in the Maldives, deep sea fishing, kayaking and windsurfing. In any of the villas you choose, your little ones will discover plush child-sized bathrobes and slippers, plus their very own luxury bath amenities.

SIX SENSES LAAMU MALDIVES

Located in Laamu Atoll, Six Senses Laamu is an idyllic, palm-fringed paradise and is the only resort in the remote southern Maldivian atoll. Guests can choose from 97 spacious thatched hideaways, either beachfront or overwater. The rustic-luxe villas are crafted from locally sourced, sustainable materials, evoke the utmost privacy imaginable, and come fully stocked with the latest amenities. The Family Pool Villa is the perfect retreat for families - a beach villa with an additional study which can accommodate up to two children, with an adjoining bathroom, private pool and private access to the beach which is only a few metres away. Six Senses also offers guests a wide range of dining options with cuisines from around the world, an ice-cream and chocolate parlour, the Six Senses Spa, an overwater wine cellar, and many activities and excursions for you to choose from.

Six Senses’ kids’ club, The Den, supplies youngsters with an abundance of toys, a playground complete with swings, climbing ropes and monkey bars. Kids can also get involved in culinary activities: baking cookies, cakes and pizzas. Children up to the age of 5 eat free at this resort; children between the ages of 6 and 11 get a 50% discount on their food. For the whole family, there’s a complimentary ice cream bar offering over 40 different flavours! Six Senses is also widely known for their stunning lagoon and vibrant house reef, and encourages all members of the family to snorkel as a group activity, where the little ones and grownups can all enjoy discovering and mingling with turtles, tropical fish, colourful corals, reef sharks, stingrays and crabs.

LUX* SOUTH ARI

Whether you are looking for a peaceful escape or an active adrenaline packed adventure, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers a perfect place for your tropical getaway. The resort features 193 private villas dotted along two miles of sandy white shores and perched over azure blue waters of the island’s expansive lagoon.

Island escapes in the tropics aren’t just for grown-ups anymore! LUX South Ari bundles up a holiday experience perfect for the entire family! The kids club PLAY offers a plethora of activities and island adventures for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Supervised by highly trained team of staff, kids get to explore the natural surroundings of the island alongside a wide range of active sports and outdoor activities such as treasure hunts and art classes.

LUX* South Ari also offers a super cool teens club for guests between 12 and 17. Studio 17 is a great space to hang out or get engaged with fun activities such as beach sports and exciting expeditions in and around the island. Hosted by a team of trained supervisors, guests at Studio 17 can even try their hand at local dance and language classes and get to know a little more about the Maldivian people and their culture.