Nestled away in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the island nation Maldives might seem like an unusual destination for family vacation. It’s best known for romantic getaways.
However, somewhere around the private beaches and secluded overwater villas, the country is a family-friendly destination too. This island travel destination suits all types of travellers.
With its colourful amalgam of different cultures, the Maldives tour with kids might become your most memorable holiday. It can be the ideal holiday destination for kids looking for adventure, fun, and entertainment.
From exploring the culture to taking part in adventure water sports, you’ll find many things to do in Maldives with kids. You can go island-hopping, try a ferry cruise in the open sea or take your lunch by the beachside. Most luxury resorts also have kids’ clubs with an outstanding range of activities.
Whatever your liking is, the different activities and things to do in Maldives will create unforgettable memories for sure. The Maldives is the perfect destination for a luxury family holiday, providing fun activities for the whole family.
So, check this list of fun things to do in Maldives with kids. Be prepared for a surprising and delightful holiday.
1. Hop islands on a dhoni boat
Dhoni is a traditional fishing boat of the Maldives. It’s also used for ferrying tourists and taking them around the Maldives. You can rent one through your resort and take your kids to visit the nearby islands.
A dhoni ride can make your Maldives vacation extremely relaxing. With a dhoni, you can hop on an uninhabited island to enjoy a full-day picnic. It allows you to spend leisure time with your kids. You can also visit an island inhabited by the locals and witness their daily lifestyle.
Your resort might also be able to arrange for dinner onboard the dhoni.
Even multi-day Dhoni cruises in the tranquil waters of the Maldives are available. You can swim in the open sea, relax on white sandy beaches and savour delicious meals on the sea. Kids will love a leisurely sail out in the open.
2. Watch dolphins at sunset
A dolphin sunset safari is another activity you can take with kids in the Maldives. Private island resorts have regular dolphin spotting trips that last a few hours. Depending on what they offer, you can take a speedboat or dhoni.
Hundreds of dolphins jumping out in the vast sea, performing thrilling acrobatics, are sure to leave everyone in awe. The panoramic beauty of the surroundings is just spellbinding. Check out our extensive guide on Dolphins in the Maldives.
A dolphin-watching trip is a perfect excuse to appreciate the natural beauty of the Maldivian archipelago. It is a one-of-a-kind experience with kids. You can book a solo family trip with them or go along with a group; the thrill remains the same.
3. Learn water sports
Indulging in water sports is among the top things to do in Maldives with kids. They’re available everywhere, on all the islands, and they’re safe. The resorts and local operators carry out the activities keeping safety precautions in mind.
The calm waters near the beaches are safe for the kids. You can go boating or ride on a tube or a banana boat. Kids can try jet skiing, too, with a professional operator.
Speed boating, glass-bottom kayaking, sailing, surfing and parasailing are many other water adventure sports you can enjoy with your kids. Resorts and tour operators have a team of professionals to provide you with full assistance.
So, if you’re seeking some adventure amidst family fun, check the thrilling water sports in the Maldives. These are available as private tours as well as group tours.
Even if your kids have no previous experience with water sports, Maldives is the right place. Many Resorts in the Maldives have classes for these tiny tots to teach them how to surf or dive. They’ll start to enjoy some action on the water.
4. Play beach games
Where there is sea, there is beach. And the Maldives has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. So, you can expect to spend plenty of time on the sand with your children.
The private beaches have clean and white, fine sand. Kids can also have fun on the untouched beaches of the uninhabited islands while island hopping. They can build sandcastles, run with kites, or collect seashells.
Treasure hunt and beach volleyball are a few other beach games kids can enjoy during a Maldives holiday. Beach games are the most fun activity with kids in the Maldives.
Some resorts also organise daily beach events for kids. So, they can race with other kids, enjoy educational presentations, or just enjoy a relaxing day in the sun. They can also learn to swim from the in-house trainers.
5. Enjoy a beachside picnic
A beachside picnic is a popular activity with kids in the Maldives. A trip to the Maldives might seem incomplete without a picnic on the beach.
Pick a spot, lay a sheet and spread the snacks you brought. If you’re in your resort, ask them for their sun loungers. It’s calming to spend the whole day doing absolutely nothing. Do whatever you want; it’s your time with kids. No matter which resort you pick, you’ll have an exciting experience.
For a private experience, you can visit an isolated sandbar or a sandbank. Spending time in the middle of the ocean, with no one around, is undoubtedly a thrilling experience for the kids. These tiny spots of sandy land can offer various experiences for the whole family.
You can sunbathe, play with fish and enjoy an evening barbecue on the sand. Make the moment memorable with some insta-worthy clicks.
6. Discover the underwater world
The Maldives is rich in coral reefs. Its water has an abundant variety of aquatic life you can’t experience anywhere else. The underwater world of the Maldives is its greatest treasure. Its blue lagoons are perfect for discovering stunning marine life, including whales, sharks and manta rays.
So, snorkelling and scuba diving during the Maldives holiday can be an outstanding experience for the kids. The Maldives is a premier scuba diving destination.
In the crystal-clear waters, you can swim beside turtles and go on a safari with the schools of fish. Even if your resort doesn’t have a reef around, they can arrange guided snorkelling and scuba diving trips to nearby reefs for you and your children.
Many resorts have trained professionals to help kids go underwater. With a short training session, kids will be drawn to the experience. It’s bound to tempt everyone to go below the water surface and enjoy the incredible experience.
7. Watch a movie outdoors
Some luxury resorts in the Maldives offer the experience of watching movies outdoors on a large screen. Comfortably settled in a bean bag, kids can enjoy a movie under the stars with popcorn in hand.
While some resorts organise outdoor movies regularly, provided the weather is good, some resorts arrange it on request. Snuggling with your kids on a moonlit night, feeling the gentle ocean breeze, can be a once in a lifetime experience.
With the sound of the waves in the background, the kids will experience a memorable holiday. They can sip in their juices and scoop in their ice creams while immersed in the movie. Your resort might even set up a snacks bar or barbecue on site.
8. Have a beachside family dinner
You can also enjoy an open-air dining experience with kids alongside the movie. Yes, just like a romantic dinner night. Chefs will prepare the dishes while the kids gorge on their ice creams and colas.
Most resorts in the Maldives offer multi cuisine dishes. So, you can relish your favourites under an open starry sky, sitting on a soft and comfortable couch. It creates a distinctive experience for the kids while they bond with you.
Resorts can even arrange for a private feast in an overwater villa or a secluded island away from the crowd. Kids sure will enjoy the sight of the sea and the gentle touch of sand on their feet.
9. Enrol in a kid’s club
Kids clubs in the hotels of the Maldives are the play centres to keep your kids engaged for the entire holiday. Their professional staff entertains your kids and keeps them occupied with games throughout the day.
The kids club has kid-friendly pools, games and playgrounds. They give the kids the atmosphere to spend time with other kids and learn together. They also provide board games, movies and books to young kids.
The activities and events differ depending on your resort. But most kid’s clubs have facilities that offer fun-filled sports and cultural activities little ones will love.
Some resorts also offer classes like painting, dancing and other creative activities. Each of those cute islanders can mingle with each other and form a little gang of their own.
10. Take a submarine ride
If your kids don’t like dipping a toe in the water, the Whale Submarine tour is an excellent way to provide them with the underwater experience. It allows them to explore marine life without a drop of water on them.
The Whale Submarine adventure fascinates adults and kids alike. It allows you to have a close encounter with the vibrant underwater life without putting yourself in danger.
Kids can see everything the deep waters have to offer. The colourful fish, flowing water plants, sunken treasure chests, everything makes up for an exhilarating underwater tour. The experience will etch this trip to the Maldives with kids in the memory.
The 1-hour dive takes you cruising through the underwater garden of the Maldives. Divers swim along to attract different water animals living in those lively reefs of this island nation.
11. Try the local cuisine
The food in the Maldives is inspired by the dishes of India and Sri Lanka. And among the dishes and comfort foods of international origin, the resorts also serve various dishes from the local cuisine.
So, while you’re there, you must try this food fusion that forms the Maldivian Dhivehi cuisine. Relishing authentic Maldivian food should top the list of things to do in Maldives with kids.
Fish forms the major part of the local Maldivian cuisine. Coconut also is used in different forms. Some dishes have it as milk, while others as oil. Coconut is also present in a grated form on top of many dishes.
Some of the popular snacks of Maldives are Bis Keemiya (a savoury pastry filled with tuna, sliced onions and shredded cabbage), fried yam sticks and spiced reef fish cutlet. Gulha (baked dumplings filled with fish, onions and grated coconuts) is another evening snack served with tea or coffee.
Many resorts have special meal packages for kids. You must check those out when visiting the Maldives for a family vacation.
12. Meet the locals
The Maldives is famous because of tourism. In most cases, you’ll spend your holiday on a private island, away from the islands inhabited by the locals. So, going on an excursion to the nearby local islands and communities would be a great day trip.
Visiting local villages in the Maldives can be a refreshing experience. Kids can learn about the people and culture about whom little is known outside the country.
These island villages of the Maldives, although small, have a distinct living style. The local people are warm, hospitable and open to tourists. You can see their way of living and what they do in their part of the world.
People in the Maldives follow a strict Muslim culture. So, make sure you dress respectably in long skirts/shorts and wear clothes that cover your shoulders. Also, take cash with you if you want to buy local crafts.
13. Feed stingrays and sharks
The water surrounding the Maldives is home to thousands of different marine life species. It boasts of a variety of rays. And feeding stingrays and baby sharks on an island are another fun activity to do in the Maldives with kids.
Most resorts organise stingray feeding activities in which guests can participate. The activity occurs either in the early morning hours or in the evenings. A barricade is set up along the shoreline to maintain a safe distance.
The rays often gather in large groups near the surface of the water. Stingrays are curious and playful creatures. Some come up to the shores too. So, kids can feed them easily.
Even if you don’t want to participate, watching the rays run after the guys feeding them is fun.
14. Have a professional photoshoot
The Maldives is a highly photogenic location. You shouldn’t miss the chance to get clicked with the picture-perfect beaches and lush tropical surroundings in the background.
Resorts have professional photographers in-house to capture all your special moments on camera. Even if they don’t have any, they’ll arrange one on your request to make your holiday with kids memorable.
Whether you want the different ocean shades or the multi-coloured sunsets as a memento, you can have it. You can schedule family photo sessions or have one only for your kids. The luxurious overwater bungalows, the fascinating underwater world or the lavish food spread, those gifted photographers can capture it all.
A professional photoshoot is a must-to-do in the Maldives with kids. It’ll leave them with something they can show everyone back home.
15. Go for a Maldivian cooking tour
If your kids love cooking, you should book a Maldivian cooking tour for them. Kids clubs have their regular cooking tours for kids. Your resort can also arrange cooking classes on request if the time permits. Kids can meet the restaurant’s chef and learn to cook their favourite food.
A cooking tour in the Maldives starts with a short private visit to the local market. Kids get to pick their favourite ingredients. After gathering the ingredients, the cook/guide helps the kids cook some mouth-watering Maldivian dishes.
The Maldivian cooking tour can be an uplifting experience for your kids as they learn to cook on their own. You’ll, of course, get to taste their food afterwards.
Other Kid-Friendly Activities in Maldives
Among the other popular things to do in Maldives with kids is visiting the glowing beach. The bioluminescent organisms emit light that makes the beach sparkle like stars. This is a must-visit place in Maldives with kids. The sparkling neon blue waters make for an amazing picture.
A scenic flight over the islands of the Maldives is another magical activity to experience with kids. From the air, you get to see the real charm of the islands.
Other activities are the underwater dining experience and fishing in the Maldives. Eating in a glass-domed restaurant surrounded by marine life is going to thrill kids for sure. Fishing might seem ordinary, but it’s one of the most popular activities in this country. You can hire the traditional dhoni boats and go on a fun fishing excursion with your kids.
And a vacation in the Maldives will never be complete without visiting its capital Malé. A day in Malé presents an opportunity to visit the various important historical and religious sites. You can also go shopping for souvenirs and explore the seafood market.
FAQs about Maldives Tour with Kids
What are the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives?
Some of the best resorts in the Maldives for families are:
- Finolhu
- Ozen Life
- Soneva Jani
- Paradise Island Resort
- Niyama Private Islands
What are the best islands to visit in the Maldives with kids?
Some of the best islands in the Maldives are:
- Malé Island
- Baros Island
- Mirihi Island
- Maafushi Island
- Vaadhoo Island
- Villingili (Villimalé) Island
What are the best places for kids to see in the Maldives?
Some of the places kids must see in the Maldives are:
- HP Reef
- Dhadimagi Kilhi
- Glowing Beach
- National Museum
- Tsunami Monument
What are the popular dishes in the Maldives for kids?
The popular Maldivian dishes for kids are:
- Bis Keemiya (tuna filled savoury pastry)
- Mas Huni (salad-like dish with shredded tuna)
- Gulha (tuna filled dumplings)
- Kulhi Boakibaa (fish cakes)
- Garudhiya (fish soup)
How many days are needed for a Maldives trip with kids?
Ideally, 5 days are enough for a Maldives trip with kids. Kids can spend time at a beachside resort, take an island-hopping tour and go snorkelling and scuba diving. A 5-day trip also allows kids to explore the different fun water activities available in the Maldives.
Conclusion
Even though the Maldives is known for honeymoons and romantic vacations, it has numerous family-friendly activities ideal for kids. Dolphin cruise, Whale Submarine, and sandbank picnics are among the many things to do in Maldives with kids. The activities and water sports in the kid’s clubs, too, are sure to keep them busy for days.
The experience in the Maldives and the picture-perfect moments can keep lingering in mind for a long time. Make sure you relax and take things slow. And if one visit doesn’t feel enough, you can always return for more.
