Indian Ocean expert Ruth shares her family experience in the Maldives
There’s a certain magic to the Maldives that’s hard to explain until you’ve been there. Powdery white beaches, warm turquoise waters, and that peaceful hum of nature everywhere.
This was my third time visiting this magical paradise, first for a pre-moon, then on a solo escape, and now with the kids in tow. I’ll admit, I was slightly nervous about how it would translate into a family holiday. But to my surprise, it couldn’t have been more perfect. It turns out this little slice of heaven adapts beautifully to family life, even with little ones along for the ride.
My husband and I took the plunge and booked our first family trip to the Maldives with our two young kids (ages 6 and 8) as well as their great aunt! We split our stay between Heritance Aarah in the Raa Atoll and Six Senses Laamu in the Laamu Atoll. What we found was not just luxury, but a family-friendly version of it, without sacrificing relaxation, adventure, or sanity.
One of the first things I hear from people who haven’t visited the Maldives is, “I’d get bored” or “What could I possibly do for 10 days?” The questions come in endless variations, but honestly, I’ve never once been bored, and that’s coming from someone who can’t sit still. This is where a Maldivian island truly shines. It’s the perfect place for a genuine island escape, with no pressure to do anything other than relax, swim in the ocean, snorkel, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and then simply repeat. That said, anyone who has travelled with children will know this kind of leisurely rhythm isn’t always the reality.
There is of course, the option of the kids spending time with the amazing staff in the Kids Clubs, but if you’re looking for some true family bonding time, you need to be sure there will be enough to keep them entertained. This was my reality and testament to the amount there is to do, that I only managed to read two chapters of my book.
We started the day with a little dip in the ocean, followed by the amazing daily breakfast, which consists of everything from fresh smoothies, dolphin-shaped pancakes, and pastries the size of the kids' faces, and that’s before you get to the cooked breakfast section. The kids were in absolute heaven!
We then spent our time exploring the island pathways, spotting the most beautiful lizards, walking along the overwater jetty’s, spotting Eagle Rays and Black Tip Reef Sharks...this was all along the way to get in the tropical ocean for a snorkel. By this time, it was normally time for a light snack at lunch, followed by a kayak or paddleboard, and splash about in the pool with a milkshake for the kids and a cocktail for the grown-ups...when it wasn’t too hot we also tried our hand at a game of paddle with the amazing sports crew as well as joining in palm leaf art, cocktail making, soap making and even tried a salsa class!
As I say, all of this is very much at your own pace, and there is zero pressure to do anything, but I suppose the point I am trying to make is that there are absolutely loads to do, even if you can walk around the island in less than 30 minutes.
We landed in Malé and were whisked away on a seaplane to Heritance Aarah. The moment we stepped onto the island, barefoot luxury took over. What stood out immediately was the warm Maldivian hospitality and how wonderfully accommodating the staff were with our children.
We stayed in two Beach Villas, steps from the sand. The rooms are super spacious, and the daybed is easily made into a proper, full-sized single, conveniently situated in a little alcove so you don’t lose any space in the room. The bathroom is HUGE with an indoor and outdoor shower, which the kids loved…especially watching the little hermit crabs whilst they took a shower under the stars! Every evening, the sky would melt into purples and oranges, and we’d sit outside, kids running in and out of the ocean, sipping mocktails while we sipped the real thing!
Heritance Aarah was the ideal soft landing in the Maldives - relaxed, indulgent, and so, so easy with small people...If you asked the kids what their favourite part was it was, they’d probably say it was our ‘butler’ Kunal, who was simply EXCEPTIONAL and always on hand to whisk tired legs up in the buggy to get us from A to B..!
The transfer to Six Senses Laamu involved a short return seaplane flight back to Male, where we were whisked to the Six Senses Lounge for a quick refresh before taking their own seaplane flight, landing in the middle of the ocean, before stepping on board the waiting speedboat to take us straight to the arrival jetty…an adventure in itself for the kids! As soon as we arrived, we swapped sandals for sandy toes again and literally didn’t put our shoes back on until the return flight!
The Six Senses ethos is eco-conscious and effortlessly chic, with a focus on wellness, sustainability, and reconnection - perfect for unplugging as a family.
We stayed in a Family Lagoon Beach Villa with Pool, which features an amazing second bedroom for the kids, complete with a little ‘hatch’ so you can check in on them once asleep 😊
It’s hard to explain the true expanse of these rooms, complete with a large deck, private pool, loungers, and a raised roof deck for morning coffee and late-night star-gazing…as well as an enormous outdoor bathroom.
We have an amazing tour of the herb garden, mushroom hut and veggie garden…what an impressive set-up! We also made our own recycled paper in the Earth Lab!
Laamu was a deeper kind of relaxation, less curated and more organic. It gave us a new rhythm: barefoot, overwater breakfasts, sunset swims and starry skies. We slowed down and enjoyed having no set agenda!
My thoughts on what to consider when choosing what appears to be an endless choice of amazing-looking islands, when travelling as a family.
On the other side, you have speedboat transfers for islands that are closer to Male. With these, you will walk out of the airport, be met and then immediately whisked away on your James Bond-style speedboat...also an exhilarating and fun way to arrive.
It’s easy to get fixated on the seaplane experience, but some of the best islands I have stayed at (over 15 of them) have been with a speedboat transfer.
People often say the Maldives is for honeymooners or divers. That may be true but it’s also for families, especially those craving quality time in an unforgettable setting. Both Heritance Aarah and Six Senses Laamu offered different flavours of paradise: one more vibrant and indulgent, the other peaceful and grounding.
If you’re considering the Maldives with young children, go for it. May brought warm days, the occasional dramatic tropical downpour (which the kids loved), and fewer crowds. More importantly, it gave us the kind of memories that feel suspended in time the kind you don’t just take pictures of, but carry with you forever.
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The Maldives Expert
