Has anyone been to Maldives with kids?

[Chica]

Thinking of taking kids with us to Maldives. (14,8 and 20 months) in Aug. DH loves to dive. Has anyone taken their kids? If so can you recommend a resort? Any advice?
Thanks

:) shocking isn't it! Even though I had heard it was a rip off I was astounded. We were half board - and no drinks - and it cost us around £600 extra for the week just to 'survive' lunchtime. Basic pizza cost £40. By end of the week I was wiser - loaded up toddler plate at breakfast then told waiter that he wouldn't eat it - could I take it back to room? But it was tricky. Were I to go again I would seriously take supernoodles type thing and loads of biscuits crisps n snacks and whatever food I could take into the country in luggage. FYI u can't take in alcohol.

I think you should ask for advice on Trip Advisor Maldives Forum. There is a very friendly and helpful bunch of posters there. The islands differ hugely and there us a lot to consider. For example if you are a keen snorkeler, you would probably prefer one where the reef is a few yards from the beach, whereas some, like Meeru, mentioned above, require a boat trip to get to the reef. Free, but lacking in spontaneity. Do you want a kids' club? Not all have them, or a pool? or will you be happy with the beautiful Indian Ocean to swim in? Boat transfer or sea plane - exciting but adds to the expense.

We have visited the Maldives nine times now and are returning in December; we have taken the grandchildren three times, starting when they were 5 and 6 and it was perfect for them. They can run around freely on their own, there is strict security on the single access jetty, so no one to kidnap them. Ours loved the trips to see the dolphins in the wild and the huge, beautiful and harmless manta rays. They dived off the top off the resort boats and were hauled back on board by the crew ready to do it over and over again.

Nevertheless I would not relish taking a baby, simply because of the long flight. but if you are happy with it, that's fine. I would certainly say try to go all inclusive, because everything is vey expensive, and in the heat your kids will drink loads of juices and water which all has to be paid for.

Be prepared to catch the deadly disease of Maldivitis. The only cure is to go there again.

I've been to various islands (Velidhu/Coco Beach/Makunududu) and I've seen a few babies. I've not seen toddlers, but these weren't "family islands".
The babies I saw would tend to be out early in the morning...and reappear on the beach after about 4pm. You are on the equator, the sand is brilliant white.

I think you will definitely need to overplan this trip. I'd be worried about how easy it might be for a toddler to get out of a villa's patio doors and go wandering into a plunge pool..fall off a pier etc. You might be super-vigilant, but would the siblings remember?

If your husband is a diver, figure out whether he wants to dive all the time, or would he prefer the joy of swimming/walking out to the end of a pier to a house reef (where he might potentially night dive etc). is he dreaming of this trip to see Manta or Sharks etc. Then start working back from that and price continually! I love house reefs (as I probably need to refresh my PADI before I dive again).

I suspect that 14 & 8 year olds eat like horses, with iceceam addictions, so it might be worth restricting yourself to islands with all-inclusive options?

DD (7) is a massive water baby and we're getting close to looking at prices.....I wouldn't have considered it before (though dragged her over to Oz and the Caribbean before school) because there really isn't too much to do if you hate reading/swimming/computer games.

We'd now happily spend hours on the beach swimming/snorkelling/playing but I'm not sure how that works with 2 very active boys and a toddler if your husband is hoping to sneak off?