8 Family-Friendly Maldives Resorts And Hotels

Dreaming of pristine white beaches and dipping your toes in the iridescent blue waters of the Maldives? With nearly 1,200 islands, Maldives has a lot to offer, even with kids in tow!

So how do you decide which Maldives island or resort to visit, especially when it is synonymous with romantic couples’ getaways, and not necessarily family breaks? Contrary to popular belief, Maldives is more than just romantic sunset beach walks and luxurious overwater bungalows (although it is that too!). It is the perfect destination for kids who love dolphins and tropical fish, treasure hunts and beachside picnics.

We have hand-picked the top Maldives resorts from uber-luxury resorts, to mid-range and affordable options that ensure the kids and adults are equally entertained. Pack the swimsuits and sunscreen and get ready to hit the water, spot manta rays and build sandcastles. Having kids is reason enough to keep travelling, not to stop!

Sassy Mama Tip: Currently there are no direct flights from Hong Kong to the Maldives so a stop-over in Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur will be required.

Read More: 15 Bali Resorts And Hotels With Amazing Kids Clubs

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – The ideal Maldives resort for the budding marine conservationist

The range of kids’ programs at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is unrivalled. For kids 4 to 12 years, the ‘Passport to Adventure’ program introduces the island’s natural wonders through daily challenges, puzzles and activities including coral reef scaping, wishing-tree walks and lizard spotting. For older kids, ‘Mission: Landaa Giravaru’, provides 14 missions across the resort including behind-the-scenes investigations! The coral-propagation Marine Savers project gets kids building their own coral reef frames that they can watch grow online at home. Kids under 6 eat free and the Kuda Velaa Club offers a complimentary Kids for All Seasons program.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraava, www.fourseasons.com

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives – Kids under 12 stay and eat free!

If parents wish to introduce their kids to the wonders of scuba diving, Holiday Inn Kandooma conveniently offers the PADI Bubblemaker program for kids from 8 years old onsite. Located just 45 minutes from Malé airport by speedboat, the two-bedroom overwater pavilion provides ample space for families to enjoy the surf and sun. The Kandoo Kids Club is a two-story entertainment zone providing daily educational and recreational activities allowing parents time to enjoy soothing spa treatments or a cocktail at BAR-aveli beach bar.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, www.ihg.com

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Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort – Child-sized flip flops provided at this Maldives resort

It is easy to see why Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort is considered one of the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives. An easy 30-minute speedboat ride from Malé airport and you are ready to spot octopus, manta rays and schools of angel fish from the resort’s glass bottom boat. Wake up each morning to the ‘coconut guru’ who selects only the finest coconuts for you to sip. Take a private picnic day at Gulhifushi Island where the whole family can enjoy snorkelling, kite flying, swimming and beach games and an evening beach barbeque. Plus, you’ll want to take advantage of the Dhoni Club with a climbing wall, treehouse and daily activities for children aged 4 to 12 years old.

Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, www.anantara.com

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort And Spa – Serene North Malé resort with unique experiences for the whole family

It’s easy to see why the Sheraton Maldives wins awards for being a World Class Family Resort. Join the beachfront crab races, supervised snorkelling or cook Maldivian dishes at The Sheraton Kids Club. Or perhaps a sandbank family picnic or Mother & Daughter Spa Day is on the cards? With a separate freshwater pool just for kids, endless water sports and kids under 12 eating free, this Maldives Resort is sure to leave lasting memories for the whole family.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa, www.marriott.com

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The Nautilus Maldives – Private luxury resort with extraordinary bespoke kids and teens programmes

Located on Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus is the ultimate in Maldives’ private island retreats. There are no set schedules for activities or experiences at Nautilus so Young Wonderers tailor activities to suit each child’s interests — think underwater treasure hunts, signature cooking experiences, spa treatments and a mermaid photoshoot all within reach! Nature trail discovery sessions, Maldivian culture and language classes, and local jewellery-making workshops, the possibilities are only bound by your imagination. A once-in-a-lifetime sojourn!

The Nautilus Maldives, www.thenautilusmaldives.com

Patina Maldives Fari Islands – Stunning contemporary Maldives resort combining relaxation and education

Patina Maldives beautifully combines art, creativity and stunning surroundings while delivering unique experiences for the whole family. With unlimited access to The Fari Beach Club and Footprint Kids Club, adults and kids alike will be engaged and entertained. Their Signature program, ‘F1 in Schools’ is an international STEM program by Formula 1. Children can design, make and assemble their own F1 car models using the 3D printer and laser cutter technology. Kids under 12 stay and eat free and the daily ice cream and family movie nights with dinner from the food trucks are sure to be a treat.

Patina Maldives Fari Islands, www.patinahotels.com

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Six Senses Laamu – Sustainability is at the heart of all activities at this palm-fringed lagoon resort

Complementing the group’s Climate Warriors initiative, Six Senses Laamu offers a Sustainability Camp covering themes such as Zero Waste, Home Grown and Nature Conservation. The three-day camp for teenagers involves twice-daily 90-minute sessions into the resort’s operations and provides skills to take home and apply in daily life. Other experiences include their Junior Marine Biology program (now also available online!) and sustainability tour, where you can take a peek behind the scenes of the hotel and discover the environmental processes at work at the Earth Lab.

Sassy Mama Tip: As one of only three hotels in the world making its own artisan chocolate, don’t forget to sign up for the Chocolate Experience class!

Six Senses Laamu, www.sixsenses.com

Kurumba Maldives – A slice of history at the first private Maldives resort

Just a 10-minute speedboat ride from Malé airport, at Kurumba Maldives resort you can be relaxing on the beach within moments of touching down in the archipelago. The complimentary Majaa Kids Club program includes bodu beru Maldivian dance lessons, coconut arts, fish feeding and marine biology sessions for those aged 4 to 13 years. For kids over 8 years, sailing, surfing or windsurfing lessons are available at the resort’s shallow lagoon Water Sports Centre. With all-inclusive dining plans that also have a choice of complimentary excursions, your holiday is as fuss-free as you can get.

Kurumba Maldives, www.kurumba.com

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More Family-Friendly Maldives Resorts And Hotels

• LUX* South Ari Atoll – An all-inclusive Maldives resort where kids are greeted with ice cream and a treasure hunt booklet to live out their inner Robinson Crusoe. www.luxresorts.com
• SAii Lagoon Maldives – This Maldives resort features beach-front family rooms, all-inclusive meal and drink plans and a wonderful kids club. www.saiiresorts.com
• Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – Kids under 15 stay free at this 52-acre private island paradise and the 45-minute seaplane journey to get to the Maldives resort is sure to thrill all young adventurers. www.sunsiyam.com
• Finolhu Maldives – Onsite art studio, kids club, waterslides, a playground and a weekly entertainment program are all found at this Maldives resort. www.finolhu.com
• One&Only Reethi Rah – The shaded, family-friendly pools include miniature hammocks, petite sun-loungers, a water slide and shallow areas for playing and splashing. www.oneandonlyresorts.com
• Como Maalifushi – The only Maldives resort located on Thaa Atoll ensuring the 60-minute seaplane transfer is a sight-seeing experience. www.comohotels.com
• OBLU SELECT Sengeli – The huge beach slide with splash-down into the warm lagoon water is perfectly located close to the pool and bar. www.coloursofoblu.com

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Editor’s Note: Maldives Resorts And Hotels For Families was most recently updated by Belinda Austin in January 2023.