Maldives 50th Birthday October 2020

[Beaky001]

Hi
We are looking to go to the Maldives for my husbands 50th next October - any recommendations for hotels with 2 children aged 15 and 12. We all like to dive so would prefer a dive centre at the resort. No where too large but with enough to keep the kids happy.

All islands have dive schools. The snorkelling is excellent at vilamendhoo but I would also look at meedhupparu.

We stayed at Kanifushi in may. No house reef, but had a small, beautiful area of coral on the jetty. Absolutely great for kids/teens, fantastic food and the staff at the dive centre were wonderful. The all inclusive included mini bar and good wine (Chablis/New Zealand reds etc.) The island itself is large, but that also meant it wasn’t too crowded (about 150 rooms, but well spaced out).

In my experience with the Maldives it comes down to a few factors: class and size of resort, budget and quality of snorkelling. So decide what is important to you and then look at or post on Tripadvisor (Vilamendhoo is a great all rounder with excellent snorkelling btw).

We stayed in Ayada for two weeks with 12 and 13 year old. Best holiday ever to celebrate DH's 50th. There was a house reef, dive school, bikes, loads for the children to do. We went on the Diamond package which included all food and drink and had a variety of amazing restaurants. We also had a few snorkelling trips thrown in. We went through Purely Maldives who were cheaper than many of the bigger tour operators.

It's my 50th in March OP and we are going to the Maldives too, it's a first for us so can't recommend anywhere YET, however I have spent almost a year researching this so we are going here....

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g15708796-d15572029-Reviews-LUX_North_Male_Atoll-Olhahali.html

DH and I are not taking our DS who is 14 but has severe learning difficulties so it is a respite break from my caring role.

Having read literally 1000's of reviews, the kids seem to be very well looked after at this resort.

One final thing, check out Secret Escapes for deals, we got an absolute bargain, all inclusive water villa.

Nowhere else can begin to match their prices.

One final thing, check out Secret Escapes for deals, we got an absolute bargain, all inclusive water villa.

There is an absolute bargain on Secret Escapes for Angsana Velavaru which is ending soon and it has dates right up to October, it has a dive centre like most resorts. Around 3.5K for 2 x 2 weeks for a beach villa. Bear in mind you have to add on the cost of the seaplane which can be expensive. Another thing to add, you have to pay a tax of $6USD per person per night.

Bandos.

Not the most exclusive but absolutely beautiful.

Very child/teen friendly, we took dd from 8-16.

The very first dive school in the Maldives is on the island.

And it's a 10 minute speedboat trip from the airport!

I haven't been for four years but liked that it wasn't as precious as other resorts. For example they had plastic loungers rather than wooden so you can place them half in half out of the sea. Perfect.

Food and restaurant choices were excellent although desserts were weak. Spa was lovely.

Food and restaurant choices are e

Thank you all so much for your comments. Lots to look at now over the next week or so and get booking. Really appreciate the detailed messages. So helpful as a lot of islands to choose from