Long Haul family holiday help

[Aliceinwonder1]

Hi,

I am looking at holiday ideas for next year, likely Easter 2026 for me, husband and 2 kids aged 11 and 9. I am contemplating outside of Europe as we haven't done one with the kids yet and feel they are good ages for it however I am not sure where to go as we've only really done standard beach holidays before. Ideally I'd like somewhere that's hot still.
I am looking for somewhere where there's things for the kids to do like animal sanctuary/water parks etc but also beaches, restaurants etc local to where we stay. I am not keen on Florida or America in general right now and we are looking to do Thailand in 2028 so not there either. I have looked at Dubai but I know it's very expensive so am wondering if there are alternatives.
Any advice on where would be ideal places to look into would be appreciated thank you.

Nerves really,.they have not done much sea swimming and my youngest I think will be nervous if she sees large marine life. As will my eldest but I think they'd try and carry on.
I've read the full masks are not something you should use due to not being able to regulate the air and can be dangerous?

I wouldn't go back to Bali and despite spending 3 weeks there (didn't go to Kuta) which i enjoyed, I wouldn't describe it as a luxury destination. However we were budget travellers and some of the hotels do look like a different world!
However the north at Pemuteran had the most fantastic marine park and to this day the snorkeling was one of the best days of my life! Ubud was great too. Great cookery school day.However I think people envisage the island looking like the rice terraces eveywhere with golden beaches.
The golden beaches at the fancy resorts in some areas are shipped in sand! Some areas of Bali it's black volcanic sand.

Japan

Costa Rica is fabulous. Hire a car and travel to all the different areas. So much for kids to do. You can visit sloth sanctuary’s, cloud forest, beaches, etc. We did that including camping in the osa peninsula which was an amazing experience.

Re reading this I think a two center holiday in Thailand would work.
My family enjoyed twin center trips when my DC were a similarish age. We went to various places such as Cuba (beach and then Havana), Brazil (Rio/Iguazza) /Argentina, California then a cruise etc etc.

@Aliceinwonder1 I would stick with plan A if that's what you fancy most. I've not been to the Maldives, but a friend's photos were as idyllic as the brochures. Sea swimming would be no different to swimming in a pool here.
If you snorkel off the beach it's going to be small fish. If you go by boat, you'll be close to the boat and wearing life jackets so all safe.
And you've got around 8 months to increase their water confidence - are try still having swimming lessons? If not, sign them up again.
They are not young kids for doing this. Mine was 5. Id imagine the experience will outweigh any nerves (don't share your own thoughts of nerves, just be positive!)

My DDs snorkelled in the Caribbean at age 8 and 6. Why would they be scared? You just choose a sheltered bay with coral reefs and have a look. DDs saw turtles, very colourful fish and a variety of sea anemones and coral formations. Essentially you just surface swim and float! All happens below you. I would prefer Caribbean to Maldives but the better snorkeling places need to be known. It’s really not scary!

@Aliceinwonder1what did you choose in the end, I’m finding myself in the same situation as you for Easter next year!

They’re a great age to go to Costa Rica. There are so many brilliant activities to do there - the wildlife is amazing, zip lining, rafting, tubing, surf lessons. It’s a great place to travel with kids and safe by Central American standards.

These are really dangerous. Lots of places have banned them now

Costa Rica or Belize would fit the bill but Riveria Maya would be easier if you want to book through someone like TUI

Another vote for Sri Lanka.

If it’s 2026 Easter Holidays, you’ll be there for Tamil New Year as well!

We still haven't! We're debating some of these on here or to do a trip round Italy but we are postponing the Maldives until 2028 I think. Do you have any ideas on where you're wanting to go?

Just came on to suggest Mexico or Sri Lanka but see they have already been mentioned!

Dubai and Maldives also good suggestions for April.

I would love to go to Mauritius personally.

Have you thought of Zanzibar?

We are in Goa at the moment with kids aged 6 and 9. Flew into Delhi, then travelled to Agra, Ranthambore (tiger safari), Jaipur (leopard safari and elephant sanctuary) and now in Goa for a week. Kids are playing in the pool, bodyboarding on the beach, doing some art classes and generally having a ball. It’s been super cheap and very family friendly, would highly recommend.

Maldives are wonderful but I think wasted on kids until they are a little older.

Sri Lanka, Thailand or Vietnam would also work well.

I’d do Singapore. Loads to do, a great clean well organised city and the fact that English is one of their official languages means it’s not quite so intimidating for a new traveller than some other Asian countries might be. Can be done in one flight without changing too, which reduces a bit of stress and length of travel.