Maldives in May/June

[TruffleShuffles]

Husband has a big birthday coming up next year at the beginning of June, this falls in the off season for the Maldives but it’s where he wants to go. Has anyone got an experience of visiting around this time? We went to Mauritius out of season and the rainfall listed for then is very similar to the Maldives in June and we had brilliant weather but I’m seeing really conflicting info.

Also we will have a 4 and 1 year old with us so is there any islands/resorts that are more child friendly? I’m not really wanting something geared up for kids as they will both be happy with the beach but I don’t want want us to stick out like a sore thumb at more adult focused places.

I've been to the Maldives a few times, but never during the summer (we wanted clearer water and winter sun).

If your kids have plenty of melanin, it should be okay, but you are virtually on the equator and the sand is brilliant white. Anybody I ever saw with a toddler would have them indoors until about 3 or 4pm. Also be VERY careful to read reviews because I've often cut myself on rough bits of beach (probably my fault for insisting on a house reef!).

That said, there are family-friendly resorts. Some have lovely kids clubs (though would many take babies?). Budget would dictate where to go (and also try to find out which are popular with Brits/French/Japanese/Russians/Italians).

In your shoes I would seriously reconsider Mauritius, even simply because it is in more or less the same time zone as GB. We used to get a lounge pass, shower and get DC into comfy clothes to sleep in. I'd go for direct flights to either destination if they still exist.

The reason you’re seeing conflicting information is because it varies hugely, some people could have fabulous weather, some could have a solid week of grey.

Personally if you are paying Maldives costs and having the hassle of a long flight and jetlag with small DC, I wouldn’t want to take the risk of poor weather.

Could you not delay the holiday, does it have to be on his birthday? November-March is a much safer bet and with your DC ages you can hopefully avoid the pricey school holidays.

There are lots of child friendly islands - any maldives tour operator can point you at them. Anything with a kids club will be pretty child friendly. I would agree that your little ones will need to stay in the shade a lot.

In all honesty I would save the exotic long haul for when they can appreciate it, the sun is so strong you will struggle to be outside and there's nothing really to do. I took mine at that age to California, we did a road trip and included a day at Disneyland but also Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, San Diego and Los Angeles, obviously doing some child friendly activities each day but also things we wanted to do. We drove during the hottest part of the day in an air conditioned car solving the sun problem

I agree tbh, you will get much more from the Maldives either in a couple or when DC are say 6+ and able to snorkel.

Early June would be absolutely perfect in say Greece or Italy with those age children, and you could use the money saved on flights and Maldives prices to go somewhere super luxurious.

Sounds like we may have to alter the destination, any earlier and I think the one year old will be too young and the 4 year old will start school in the September so you’re looking at school holiday prices which I’d rather not start paying before we have to.

The eldest is pretty good in the heat as we lived in Southern Europe for the first 2 years of her life so she had a couple of summers there where the temperature reached 40 degrees but the little one will have very little experience of it at all. Thanks for all your advice.

It's not so much that the heat on the Maldives is a problem- there's the sea breeze. It is the intensity of the sun.

FWIW I dragged my then toddler round Australia when she was 1-5 months old, including a few days up on the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island in their winter.

She had a great time and us parents have lovely memories BUT we did have family over there to help get kit together (and nag us about sun cream/Uv suits) and she wasn't a fussy eater.

We’ve been twice, both times late May/early June. First time we had 2 weeks of glorious weather with one afternoon of rain. Second time we were there we hit the crossover and had windy, cloudy weather for the majority of our stay (we still loved it though).

We have been 6 times, 4 of which have been for may half term. Yes we have always lost the odd afternoon to downpours but nothing too bad. For the price reduction we think it's a small downside but not enough to stop us going again at this time as we have had downpours at Xmas when we have been too