Maldives with a 4 year old?

[mamaofL]

I'm thinking of going to the Maldives with my 4 year old DD, for her birthday next month. It's somewhere, I've always wanted to go. I was actually planning to go for my 30th earlier this year, but I was super busy with work and sadly couldn't go ahead with the booking. June would be the only time we can go, as I have time off work, she's off school and it's also her birthday. My concern is DD feeling bored in the resort..

Any input/advice is most welcome :)

I've not been to the Maldives but I can't imagine it would be suitable for a 4 year old. Strikes me as a honeymoon / couply place I can't imagine there being many resorts that cater to children. Perhaps I am wrong though I'm sure someone else will be able to provide more insight! if I were you I would take her to somewhere more family friendly , a splash park hotel in the canaries perhaps

I haven’t been but I think I’d be bored stiff however some children have the ability to be entertained and amused by everything so although I wouldn’t say no outright, think about what you want to do there that can’t be done anywhere else closer to home.
I think a lot of the resorts are adult only but someone else who has been will be able to advise!!

I took my kids there when they were 4 and 2 years old…we had a great time! Sandy beaches and snorkelling, boat trips and swimming, the kids (and us adults ) loved it! My husband and I took it in turns to go scuba diving and the resort was really kid friendly. I don’t see why you wouldn’t go there with children…

You'll be going in wet season so you might want to factor that in

Choose your resort carefully (search reviews on Tripadvisor). Quite a few places have kids clubs and pools (which might be the way to go).

What looks to be a glorious white sandy beach might be rough bits of coral. Definitely pack beach shoes and UV suits. If you want to be ultra cautious, choose a resort with (or near) one with a resident doctor.

The main thing to be aware of is that the islands are right on the equator and kids are best indoors for the hours around noon.

We went to Maldives in November, it was very couply though not honeymoony were we were. That was one of the reasons we chose the destination. It was very resort based and activities I would check they are accessible to a 4 year old. I don't think they would get bored as everything is there onsite but I'm not sure its worth the extra expense and a long journey there and back. Its a pleasant safe holiday at a resort. Its good for things like snorkelling, dolphin watching, kayaking, beaches, romantic dinners, seaplane, boat trips, swimming. We stayed 8 nights and I enjoyed it but it was enough for me as repetitive.

Some of the islands have kids clubs and a bit more going on for that age so you’d need to pick carefully. The flight is also really long and I remember being knackered so you’d need to think about transfer time from Male

We did the Maldives on our honeymoon and loved it so much. I’d like to take our children but wouldn’t do it until the youngest was at least 7. Mainly because we were in the sea swimming all the time and so many of the villas are overwater. My 4yo is an excellent swimmer for her age (so realistically much better than an average 4yo). There is no way she’d be strong enough to swim in the sea safely and quite frankly I’m not sure I’d fully trust her with accommodation near or on the sea. My 7yo I think would have a ball there and could be trusted to be sensible.

I go at least once a year and will be there again in July.

I don’t have kids but Maldives is full of them (in the family friendly resorts). Beyond safe, lots of kid clubs, perfect beaches, pools, swim.

We said we’d start taking our kids there from the day they get their passport (they’re free as well!)