The Maldives might often be associated with romantic escapes and honeymooners, but it’s also an idyllic destination for families seeking a luxurious and adventurous holiday. With crystal-clear lagoons, soft white sand, and a variety of family-friendly activities, these islands are a paradise for families of all sizes. Whether your children are budding marine biologists, little adventurers, or beach lovers, these Maldivian resorts offer something for everyone. I have personally hand-picked the best Maldives family holidays, each offering luxury, adventure, and unique family experiences. Main photo: Niyama Private Islands
Jawakara Islands Maldives: A Haven for Families of All Ages
Nestled in the tranquil Raa Atoll, Jawakara Islands Maldives is a new resort catering perfectly to families. Its spacious family villas, available in both beach and overwater options, are thoughtfully designed with ample space, private pools, and modern amenities. Parents can relax in luxury while children play in complete safety.
The Jawakara Kids’ Club offers a wide range of activities, from cooking classes to treasure hunts, keeping children entertained all day. The lagoon surrounding the resort is ideal for family-friendly snorkeling adventures, where kids can spot harmless reef sharks, turtles, and vibrant marine life.
Unique Features:
Family-centric villas with direct beach or lagoon access
Interactive kids’ club with educational experiences
Daily excursions, including dolphin watching and snorkeling safaris
Niyama Private Islands: The Ultimate Family Playground
For families seeking adventure, Niyama Private Islands offers a dual-island experience across “Play” and “Chill.” The "Play" island is dedicated to families, featuring the Explorers Kids’ Club, designed for children from 12 months to 12 years. Little ones can immerse themselves in jungle adventures, water sports, and cultural activities like traditional Maldivian drumming.
Families can choose from luxurious beachfront or overwater villas, both offering spacious layouts, private pools, and easy access to the lagoon. Parents can indulge in spa treatments on the "Chill" island while children enjoy supervised snorkeling trips, ensuring there’s plenty of fun for all.
Unique Features:
Explorers Kids’ Club with age-specific activities
Family-friendly villas with large outdoor spaces and private pools
On-site surf school, perfect for beginner and advanced surfers alike
Six Senses Laamu: Eco-Luxury for the Whole Family
Six Senses Laamu offers the perfect balance between eco-conscious luxury and family fun. Located in the remote Laamu Atoll, this resort emphasizes sustainability while providing families with exciting activities and unique educational opportunities. The Junior Marine Biologist program introduces children to the wonders of the underwater world, teaching them about marine conservation, coral reefs, and sea turtles.
Villas are spacious, sustainably built, and feature private pools and open-air spaces that invite nature inside. Families can spend their days exploring the island by bike, snorkeling with manta rays, or enjoying a private family picnic on a deserted beach.
Unique Features:
Junior Marine Biologist program for eco-conscious kids
Spacious, eco-friendly villas with private pools and ocean views
Sustainable family excursions, including dolphin watching and reef snorkeling
Vakkaru: A Tranquil Island for Nature Lovers
Surrounded by lush tropical landscapes and a thriving house reef, Vakkaru Maldives is a peaceful retreat for families. Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, Vakkaru offers families unique encounters with nature. The Parrotfish Club caters to younger children with a wide range of daily activities, including scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and beach games.
Older kids and teens will enjoy the Coconut Club, which offers billiards, table tennis, and even video games. Families can embark on guided snorkeling tours of the house reef, spotting manta rays, turtles, and colourful fish, or join dolphin-watching cruises.
Unique Features:
Parrotfish Kids’ Club and Coconut Club for older kids and teens
Located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with access to diverse marine life
Family-friendly excursions, including snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing trips
Patina: A Modern Island Escape for Active Families
Situated in the innovative Fari Islands, Patina Maldives blends modern luxury with family-friendly fun. The resort’s Footprints kids’ club is a hub of creativity, offering tech-forward activities like 3D printing, mad science classes, and even Glowforge laser cutting. Families can enjoy complimentary scuba-diving lessons, paddleboarding, and kayaking, ensuring an active holiday for all.
The resort’s villas, whether on the beach or over the water, are designed with modern aesthetics and large family suites. Patina’s sloping beaches are perfect for little ones to paddle in the calm waters, and family dining is a highlight with diverse culinary offerings for all tastes.
Unique Features:
Footprints kids’ club with cutting-edge tech and creative workshops
Complimentary scuba-diving lessons and a range of water sports
Family-friendly dining experiences with international cuisine
Soneva Jani: A Fantastical Wonderland for Kids
Soneva Jani offers a magical setting for family holidays in the Maldives, where luxury meets adventure. Famous for its overwater villas with private slides plunging into the lagoon, Soneva Jani is a children’s paradise. The newly opened The Den, South Asia’s largest kids’ club, features everything from pirate-themed treasure hunts to creative LEGO-building competitions.
While the kids are entertained, parents can indulge in spa treatments or savor world-class dining at one of the resort’s restaurants. For a unique family experience, take part in a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist or enjoy a family movie night at the open-air cinema.
Unique Features:
Iconic overwater villas with slides into the lagoon
The Den: the largest kids’ club in South Asia with exciting activities
Family snorkeling tours with a marine biologist
Soneva Fushi: The Original Barefoot Luxury for Families
For a true back-to-nature experience, Soneva Fushi provides a jungle-like paradise where luxury and sustainability go hand-in-hand. The Children’s Den is an adventure-filled playground for younger guests, complete with a zip line, splash pool, and treehouse-themed play areas.
Families can enjoy barefoot dining, cinema screenings under the stars, and eco-conscious activities, including guided snorkeling trips and exploring the island’s organic gardens. The resort’s sprawling beach and jungle villas offer ultimate privacy and space for large families, ensuring everyone has room to relax.
Unique Features:
Treehouse-themed kids’ club with zip lines and splash pools
Jungle and beach villas with large outdoor spaces for family relaxation
Eco-friendly initiatives, including sustainable farming and organic gardens
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort: Glamorous Family Adventures
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort combines sophisticated luxury with family-friendly fun. The Socialite Club caters to kids and teens with a full schedule of activities, including cooking classes, movie nights, and beach games. Families can also enjoy water sports, including snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
The resort’s overwater and beachfront family villas feature private pools, spacious living areas, and stunning ocean views. The signature butler service ensures that families are well taken care of, from arranging excursions to providing personalized dining experiences.
Unique Features:
The Socialite Club with activities for all ages
Luxurious family villas with private pools and personalized butler service
Water sports, including snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking
JOALI Maldives: Art and Luxury for Families
At JOALI Maldives, art and luxury blend seamlessly to create a unique family holiday experience. The resort’s Muramas Kids’ Club is a creative wonderland for young guests, offering activities like cooking classes, arts and crafts, and storytelling sessions. Families can explore interactive art installations across the island or participate in family yoga and wellness programs.
The resort’s family villas, either overwater or beachfront, offer ample space for relaxation, with private infinity pools and direct access to the ocean or beach.
Unique Features:
Muramas Kids’ Club with creative and educational activities
Art installations and wellness programs for families
Family villas with private infinity pools and beachfront access
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: Sophisticated Fun for the Whole Family
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives in the Fari Islands is a family-friendly resort where sophistication meets adventure. The Ritz Kids program is known for its educational focus, offering cupcake decorating classes, marine biology workshops, and water park fun. For older kids, there’s a dedicated activity center with pool tables, video games, and arts and crafts.
The resort’s villas are spacious and modern, featuring large outdoor terraces, private pools, and direct beach or lagoon access. Parents can unwind at the luxurious spa while kids enjoy exciting activities.
Unique Features:
Ritz Kids program with educational and fun activities
Spacious family villas with private pools and outdoor terraces
Water park and marine conservation programs for kids
How to Choose the Right Family Holiday in Maldives
With so many incredible resorts to choose from, it’s important to select the one that best fits your travel style. Here are a few tips to help you decide:
Planning the ideal Maldives family holiday involves considering several factors to ensure that both parents and children have a memorable experience. With the wide variety of family-friendly resorts available in the Maldives, here are some key points to consider when making your choice:
Age of Children: Different resorts cater to specific age groups. Some, like Niyama Private Islands, offer childcare for infants and toddlers, while others focus more on activities for older children and teens. Consider the kids' clubs, babysitting services, and age-specific activities offered at each resort.
Accommodation Size: If you’re traveling with a large family, it’s important to choose a resort that offers multi-bedroom villas or interconnected rooms. Resorts like Vakkaru Maldives and Joali Maldives offer spacious family villas with private pools and ample living space to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Family-Friendly Activities: Look for resorts that offer a mix of activities tailored to the interests of children and adults. Water sports, nature-based excursions, and educational programs like Six Senses Laamu’s Junior Marine Biologist program can keep children engaged while giving parents some time to relax.
Location and Accessibility: Some resorts are located closer to Malé International Airport, making them ideal for families with younger children who may not want a long journey after arrival. Resorts like Patina Maldives are just a short 45-minute speedboat ride away, while others like Soneva Fushi offer more remote, private island experiences.
Dining Options: Family dining can make or break a holiday. Ensure that the resort offers kid-friendly menus, flexible dining times, and in-villa dining options for added convenience. Resorts like The Ritz-Carlton Maldives are known for their exceptional family dining services that cater to all ages.
Budget Considerations: While the Maldives is known for luxury, there are options for different budget ranges. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages that can be a great value for families, covering meals, activities, and more. Consider your budget and what’s included in the package to find the best fit for your family holiday.
FAQs The Perfect Maldives Family Holiday
What is the best time to plan a family holiday to the Maldives?
The best time to visit the Maldives for a family holiday is between November and April, during the dry season. This period offers warm, sunny weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities, water sports, and beach adventures. However, resorts may have higher rates during this peak season, so booking early is advised for families.
How far in advance should I book my family holiday to the Maldives?
Are the Maldives safe for family travel?
What kind of childcare services are available in the Maldives?
Do resorts in the Maldives cater to teens?
Are there family-friendly activities at all Maldivian resorts?
What are the accommodation options for large families?
What kind of dining options are available for children?
Final Word – Planning Your Maldives Family Holiday
The Maldives, once famed primarily for romantic escapes, has evolved into a top destination for luxury family holidays. With a wide array of family-friendly resorts offering everything from spacious villas to engaging kids' clubs and exciting excursions, there's something for every family member to enjoy. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or educational experiences, these 10 handpicked resorts provide the perfect blend of luxury, fun, and unforgettable memories. So why wait? Book your dream Maldives family holiday today and experience the ultimate island paradise designed for families of all ages.
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