A Maldives holiday with children is different from a honeymoon, and the resort you choose matters even more. We look for four things: a short transfer, a shallow sandy lagoon that toddlers can paddle in, a kids' club that is genuinely staffed and free, and a beach villa rather than an overwater one, so nobody has to watch a three-year-old on a deck above deep water. Every resort in this package ticks all four.
The resorts are in North and South Malé Atolls, reached by speedboat in 25 to 50 minutes from the airport jetty, so there is no seaplane weight limit, no daylight cut-off and no waiting in a lounge with tired children. Speedboats run at any hour, which means even an evening arrival from Dubai works. The boats have life jackets in children's sizes, and the crew carry luggage on and off.
Half board covers breakfast and dinner, and the resorts have buffets with a children's corner, so even fussy eaters find pasta, grilled chicken and fresh fruit. The kids' clubs take children from 4 years old, with babysitting for younger ones at extra cost. A typical day: reef snorkelling in the morning when the sea is calm, the kids' club during the hot middle of the day, then a family swim and sand-castle hour before dinner. We have included a sunset dolphin cruise and a guided family snorkel trip to a reef where turtles feed, both suitable from about age 5.
Two practical tips from Mariam Al Falasi, who plans many of our family trips: pack reef-safe sun cream and rash vests, because the equatorial sun is stronger than in Dubai, and bring a small dry bag for boat days. The superior and deluxe tiers move you to larger family villas, with the deluxe option being a two-bedroom beach villa with its own pool, which makes a real difference with teenagers. Book Eid and the July and August holidays early, as family villas are limited.
Highlights
- Beach villa steps from a shallow, sandy lagoon
- Short speedboat transfers of 25 to 50 minutes, day or night
- Free kids' club from age 4 with daily activities
- Guided family snorkel trip to a turtle reef
- Sunset dolphin cruise for the whole family
- Kids' menus and children's buffet corner at every meal
Day by day
Day 1Fly to Malé and speedboat to your island
The direct flight from Dubai takes about four and a half hours. A resort host meets you outside arrivals and walks you to the speedboat jetty, just across the road from the terminal. The ride takes 25 to 50 minutes depending on your resort, with life jackets for every child. Check in, explore the island, and let the children meet the kids' club team. Dinner buffet in the main restaurant. Overnight at the resort.
Day 2Lagoon day and kids' club
Start with breakfast and an early swim in the lagoon outside your villa, where the water is knee-deep for the first stretch. Mid-morning, children aged 4 and up can join the kids' club for crab hunts, treasure trails and craft sessions, while parents snorkel the house reef or relax by the pool. Afternoon family time on the beach, with sand toys supplied by the resort. Dinner buffet in the main restaurant. Overnight at the resort.
Day 3Family snorkelling trip to the turtle reef
After breakfast join a guided half-day snorkelling trip on a covered boat to a nearby reef where green and hawksbill turtles feed. Guides give children a short briefing and supply masks, fins and buoyancy vests in small sizes, and there is always a guide in the water with the group. Back by lunchtime. Afternoon at the pool or the kids' club. Dinner buffet in the main restaurant. Overnight at the resort.
Day 4Free day: water sports and resort life
A day to choose your own pace. Older children often try a glass-bottom kayak, paddleboarding or an introductory dive in the pool from age 8, all bookable at the water sports centre. Younger ones enjoy the kids' club cooking class or a fish-feeding session on the jetty. Parents can book a spa treatment while the children are busy. Dinner buffet in the main restaurant, with a weekly Maldivian theme night. Overnight at the resort.
Day 5Sunset dolphin cruise
Spend the morning on the beach or at the pool, then rest through the heat of the day. In the late afternoon the whole family boards a traditional dhoni for the sunset dolphin cruise, about 90 minutes. Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips and often swim alongside the bow, which children never forget. Return in time for a relaxed dinner buffet. Overnight at the resort.
Day 6Last full day on the island
Your final full day is free. Many families use it for a last snorkel on the house reef in the calm morning water, a family photo session on the beach, or a picnic lunch on the resort's quiet sandbank, which can be arranged for a fee. In the evening the kids' club often holds a small farewell show for parents. Dinner buffet in the main restaurant. Overnight at the resort.
Day 7Speedboat to Malé and fly home
Enjoy a final breakfast and a swim. Check-out is at noon, and the resort arranges your speedboat about three hours before the flight; late check-out can be requested for afternoon departures. Staff help you through to the departure terminal at Malé, and the direct flight lands in Dubai about four and a half hours later. Children usually sleep on the way home after a week of sun and sea.
Hotels by tier
Choose the tier in the price box; the difference is priced per adult for the whole stay.
Named hotels or similar of the same standard if one is full; we tell you before you pay the balance.
What is included
Included
- Return direct flights from Dubai to Malé, Economy, 30 kg baggage
- Return shared speedboat transfers between Malé airport and the resort
- 6 nights in a beach villa (family villa in superior and deluxe tiers)
- Half board: daily breakfast and dinner buffet
- Maldives green tax and all resort service charges and taxes
- Kids' club access for children aged 4 to 12
- Sunset dolphin cruise
- Half-day guided family snorkelling trip with equipment
- Meet-and-assist at Malé airport and 24/7 Dubai support line
Not included
- Lunches, drinks and minibar
- Babysitting for children under 4 (about AED 80 per hour)
- Diving, water sports and spa treatments
- Tips for resort staff
- Travel insurance
Departures and prices
Price per adult, twin share, standard hotels. Seats are held with our airline and hotel partners.
| Dates | Departure | Seats left | Per adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 28 Nov to Fri 4 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,400 | |
| Sat 12 Dec to Fri 18 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 3 | AED 13,040 | |
| Sat 26 Dec to Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 4 | AED 13,040 | |
| Sat 9 Jan to Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 4 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 23 Jan to Fri 29 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 1 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 6 Feb to Fri 12 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 20 Feb to Fri 26 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 6 Mar to Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 2 | AED 13,580 | |
| Sat 20 Mar to Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 3 Apr to Fri 9 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 11,950 | |
| Sat 17 Apr to Fri 23 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,870 | |
| Sat 1 May to Fri 7 May 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 9,450 |
Where it is
Questions about this holiday
When is the best time for a family holiday in the Maldives?
Do UAE residents need a visa for the Maldives?
Why speedboat instead of seaplane?
What age can children join the kids' club?
Is halal food available?
Can we add a night in Malé or Hulhumalé?
Travellers on this holiday
Lovely island, and the children learned to snorkel with an instructor who was endlessly patient. The domestic flight plus speedboat was long though, close to three hours door to door with kids, which was not quite how it read on paper. Food was excellent from the first meal to the last.
With a four-year-old and a seven-year-old, the kids' club made this holiday. Joanna chose an island with a shallow lagoon and a beach villa instead of a water villa, which was the right call for safety. All-inclusive for six nights meant no bill anxiety at all.
South African family of four, first time in the Maldives. The resort let the kids help feed the stingrays at sunset, and our son spotted a manta from the dhoni. There was even an early check-in after the night flight. Value was much better than we had feared.
Grandparents came along, so we needed two connecting beach villas. Joanna made sure they were side by side and close to the restaurant, so my mother never had long walks on sand. The turtle snorkel trip was the moment of the week for all three generations.
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