A Maldives holiday with children works best when the resort has plenty to do beyond the beach. The ideal island will often combine supervised kids’ clubs, water sports and activities, so toddlers, school-age kids and teens all have something to enjoy.
Here’s where to start your search for the best Maldives resort for families with a kids’ club and activities.
“Anantara Dhigu has a lot going for it. Excellent facilities, fantastic rooms, top food, lovely staff, a relatively easy transfer from Malé and a natural wonder for an archipelago that is easy to get around and well protected from the sun.” (The AU Review)
On an island in South Malé Atoll, Dhigu shares its lagoon with sister resorts Anantara Veli and Naladhu, expanding your choice of dining and activities. While the other two properties focus on exclusivity and adults-only stays, Dhigu offers families a place to call their own. The Dhoni Kidz Club caters to children aged 3 to 11, and the two-bedroom family villas come with private gardens, hammocks, and a children’s play area. Older kids can try dolphin-watching trips, sunset cruises, and private island picnics. The resort is also home to a PADI dive centre for teens looking to get certified.
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Soneva Jani
“It’s a never-never land for children, who roam the jungly interiors on push-bikes, pilfer from free ice-cream and chocolate parlours, lounge in hammocks, hurtle down slides into iridescent waters and splash over technicolour reefs.” (Condé Nast Traveller)
For many, Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll is the splurge option. Its kids’ club, The Den, is one of the largest in the Maldives, featuring a swimming pool with waterfalls, a cave bar, a zipline, and a pirate ship. The overwater villas have their own appeal, as many offer private pools, waterslides, and retractable roofs. Additionally, with over 10 restaurants on the island, the resort is perfect for fussy eaters.
Families can also join educational initiatives like coral planting and reef exploration.
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Kandima Maldives
“From water sports and marine excursions to a kids’ club, art studio, go-kart track and indoor games arena, it positions itself as a destination for families, couples and groups seeking more than a conventional beach holiday.” (Gulf Times)
Kandima suits families who want constant variety. It sits on a 3km-long island in the Dhaalu Atoll, offering various sports, fitness classes, an art studio, and one of the Maldives’ longest outdoor pools. The Aquaholics centre handles the watersports, with parasailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and more available to older kids and parents. Meanwhile, younger children can head to Kandiland, the island’s iconic kids’ club and splash playground.
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Niva Kuramathi Maldives
“Niva Kuramathi Maldives is one of the nation’s largest resort islands, making it perfect for families who want to explore. There’s so much to do here that the problem may well be whittling down your to-do list.” (The Telegraph)
Kuramathi is spread across a long island in Rasdhoo Atoll with hundreds of villas and a house reef, so a family can spend days exploring without repeating themselves. The kids’ club takes children aged 3 to 12 and has splash pads and outdoor play areas, plus activities that include marine life sessions, botanical garden walks, films and a children’s pool. Sporty older kids may like the summer soccer academy camps for ages 4 to 16.
Some activities cost extra, so it is advised to ask what is included in your package before your stay.
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Constance Halaveli Maldives
The real gift for parents is the kids’ club, which stays open until 9 pm – a rarity in the Maldives and a genuine game-changer. Designed for children aged four to 11, it offers a lively programme of crafts, games, outdoor play and themed evenings.” (Condé Nast Traveller)
Halaveli is the most romantic resort here, but it still looks after families. Its villas sit on an overwater jetty or on the white sand beach, each with a private plunge pool. Family Beach Villas include a separate kids’ room with bunk beds, and the complimentary kids’ club is for ages 4 to 11, with indoor and outdoor play areas. The resort also offers scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing, and the seaplane transfer from Malé takes about 25 minutes, which is short for small travellers.
Conclusion
The right resort depends on your children’s ages, your budget, and what you prioritise for family holidays as a travel team. Whether it’s a relaxed lagoon setting, a big, splashy resort, or enriching kids’ programmes, your dream Maldives resort awaits.
