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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Mauritius or Maldives?

12 replies

Bananacustards · 13/01/2025 17:45

Hello,

We are planning a family holiday with DC ages 9 months and 6 years for February half term for 9-10 nights. We would rather go somewhere more luxurious than the Canaries and have always wanted to go the Maldives. We have found a resort that is 5 mins speedboat transfer from Mali. We are 4+ hours away from London so would have to get an indirect night flight (stop over and change at Dubai).

My main priority is the safety of our children. I worry about not having access to medical attention if we need it. Would a 5 minute speedboat transfer alleviate this concern? What sort of healthcare access is there in Mali if you have any experience of it?

Or would it be better going Mauritius? From my understanding it is a longer flight but would access to healthcare be better there?

What about things to do with the children? My eldest is quite happy with any beach, pool etc. she often likes to chill anyway doing an activity book or watching a film if she has had a long day.

Any other concerns?

Please share your experiences and recommendations. Thank you very much.

OP posts:
beachmum1 · 13/01/2025 17:47

Sometimes the hotels close to male are quite disappointing as you can still the capital, small tower blocks and ships etc.

I would choose a resort much further away or I would go Mauritius.

Jellyslothbridge · 13/01/2025 18:41

Would you consider the Caribbean? Shorter flights and choice of accommodation and things to do. The Maldives were very much the whole island as a resort when we went with the, sea the main attraction (I know they are set up to be a bit more family friendly now) We went to Mauritius last year and you can very much choose type of holiday from all inclusive, Airbnb on the beach or small hotel.

wsdr · 13/01/2025 18:50

Mauritius is a long way to go. We went for 10 days and felt it was too far for such a short holiday. I wouldn't like to do such long flights with a baby/ toddler

WonderingWanda · 13/01/2025 18:54

I've been to the Maldives, no way would I take small kids all that way. My recommendation is Mexico. Plenty of lovely luxurious hotels along the coast from Cancun.

WonderingWanda · 13/01/2025 18:56

By the time you've flow to the middle east, had a layover, caught the next plane, then waited through customs and then found your speed boat and then checked in you will all be far too exhausted. That's before adding in delays.

NetballHoop · 13/01/2025 18:56

It's a long time since I went to the Maldives and I loved the place but I wouldn't take young children there.

There's not really much to do other than the beach/diving.

KoalaKube · 13/01/2025 19:03

Mauritius, every time in your circumstances as flights are direct no stopover and there are fab resorts and you can do some nice little day trips. There are even group resorts like local owned Attitudes which you can visit other parts of the island and use their facilities. At 6 will your DD want to play with other children?

TeamGeriatric · 13/01/2025 20:31

Which resort are you looking at? Guessing Kurumba or Bandos, they are both about 10 mins away from the airport by boat, all the others are further. We stayed at Kurumba for 4 nights in 2022, our kids loved who were 8 and 11 loved it, but you can see the city from many parts of the island, it's not the idyllic deserted atoll you may be picturing in your head. It is though an excellent resort with several a la carte restaurants and great marine life and you can snorkel off the beach. There is a doctor at the resort at Kurumba, never used them though and no idea what the medical facilities are like in Male, but imagine they are everything you may ever need. I think you'd be fine from that aspect.

Original poster
Bananacustards · 13/01/2025 22:17

TeamGeriatric · 13/01/2025 20:31

Which resort are you looking at? Guessing Kurumba or Bandos, they are both about 10 mins away from the airport by boat, all the others are further. We stayed at Kurumba for 4 nights in 2022, our kids loved who were 8 and 11 loved it, but you can see the city from many parts of the island, it's not the idyllic deserted atoll you may be picturing in your head. It is though an excellent resort with several a la carte restaurants and great marine life and you can snorkel off the beach. There is a doctor at the resort at Kurumba, never used them though and no idea what the medical facilities are like in Male, but imagine they are everything you may ever need. I think you'd be fine from that aspect.

Kurumba. Thank you for your response. I thought that this may be the case. The a la carte is a huge selling point for me. I do worry that it won’t be idyllic enough for the price especially as it is more expensive than some resorts further afield. Have you been any of the other islands that you would recommend?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bananacustards · 14/01/2025 00:15

NetballHoop · 13/01/2025 18:56

It's a long time since I went to the Maldives and I loved the place but I wouldn't take young children there.

There's not really much to do other than the beach/diving.

I think it’s more the travel and access to healthcare that worries me. My eldest is very imaginative and loves any beach/pool. The resort we are looking at has a kids club too. How did you find the travel?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bananacustards · 14/01/2025 00:16

Jellyslothbridge · 13/01/2025 18:41

Would you consider the Caribbean? Shorter flights and choice of accommodation and things to do. The Maldives were very much the whole island as a resort when we went with the, sea the main attraction (I know they are set up to be a bit more family friendly now) We went to Mauritius last year and you can very much choose type of holiday from all inclusive, Airbnb on the beach or small hotel.

I would consider it but having had a look I can’t find much at all for February. It may be because it is last minute. Do you have any recommendations? Many thanks

OP posts:
TeamGeriatric · 14/01/2025 11:09

The first time we went we stayed at Anantara Dhigu, I imagine it's probably double the cost of Kurumba though. It's got a more deserted atoll feel than Kurumba, was about 30-40 minutes transfer by boat. Equally child friendly, but the rooms are smaller. We had one in a cot, as would you, when we went to Anantara which kept the cost down. Now for us I think it would be very expensive, as the kids are bigger.

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