Located more than 1,200 miles off the tip of India, the Maldives is typically not on the radar of most Americans — not because it lacks superlatives, but because it takes a great deal of effort to get to this archipelago nation floating in the Indian Ocean. It boasts some of the most extravagant and pricey over-the-water bungalow resorts in the world, largely favored by honeymooners, but it is possible to find more affordable, family resort accommodations. There are plenty of reasons to visit the Maldives. Let’s explore seven reasons why your family should consider taking this once-in-a-lifetime trip:
1: Experience a pristine island paradise.
If the Maldives sounds like a dreamy destination, that’s because it is. Picture soft, sugar sand beaches with clear aquamarine water. The marine life beneath the surface is some of the most vibrant that we’ve seen — comparable to other great snorkeling and dive locations like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and French Polynesia. The top reason to visit the Maldives is ocean and its bounty. So if your family isn’t really into water, don’t make the trip.
2: Learn to scuba dive.
Another one of the reasons to visit the Maldives is for its world-class diving. Among its 26 atolls (island groups), the following are favorites for divers: Ari, Baa, Fuvahmulah, Male and Vaavu. If you’ve never dived before, the easiest way to get started is to stay at a resort that offers on-site diving instruction.
We stayed at Fiyavalhu Resort on the island of Mandhoo in the South Ari Atoll and took advantage of the on-site dive center, Dive Club Maldives. Our instructor, Shiva, was truly excellent. On our first day, he walked as through the basics and then took us for a practice dive on the resort’s house reef, which was teeming with sea life.
On our second day, we took a boat to another nearby reef. Again, Shiva was by our side the entire time, frequently checking in to make sure that we were comfortable. He also took underwater photos and videos of our experience, leaving us to focus on the dive itself. It was our favorite experience of the trip. Take a look.
KidTripster Tip: Dive Club Maldives offers Bubble Maker lessons for younger kids.
KidTripster Tip: Make sure to do your diving early in your trip, as you’ll need at least a day to reduce the nitrogen in your body before you’re able to fly.
3: Be mesmerized by manta rays.
You don’t have to go scuba diving to have an amazing underwater encounter. Again, with Dive Club Maldives, we went on a snorkeling excursion to swim with manta rays. These weren’t just any rays but Giant Oceanic Manta Rays, which have wingspans up to 26 feet. And it wasn’t just one ray. At times, we were surrounded by several of these gentle and curious creatures. Take a look.
4: Swim with giants.
There are less than two dozen places in the world where you can swim with giant harmless whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. The Maldives is one of them. In fact, whale sharks are year-round residents in the Maldives, though their location varies based on the time of year. Some resorts offer day-long snorkel excursions with experienced operators who know where to find these giants.
That being said, nature is not on a schedule. While whale sharks are known to frequent certain areas, it’s a big ocean. It’s possible that you could search for hours and never find a whale shark. Still, we think its worth the hunt!
KidTripster Tip: Choose a resort that offers whale shark excursions and then communicate with the staff in advance to make sure that the time of your vacation aligns with the sharks’ timing before booking your accommodations.
5: Snorkel with sea turtles.
Who doesn’t love turtles? Five of the seven varieties of sea turtles in the world are found in the Maldives. The opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles is another of the reasons to visit the Maldives. On our excursion, we swam with green sea turtles and thousands of colorful reef fish — everything from batfish to parrotfish to Picasso triggerfish. The water clarity in the Maldives is truly extraordinary.
KidTripster Tip: Dive Club Maldives offers a dolphin cruise, but we’d recommend waiting to book that toward the end of your stay. Why? Because you may see spinner or bottlenose dolphins while you’re out on another excursion and not have to book a dedicated tour, saving you some time and money.
[ Related: 10 Things to Know About Planning a Vacation to the Maldives ]
6: Taste a new cuisine.
Chances are you’ve never experienced Maldivian cuisine. We’d describe it as similar to Indian but with less heat and a heavy reliance on local ingredients like coconut, fresh seafood and, if you’re staying at Fiyavalhu Resort, fresh vegetables from the resort garden. Most resorts offer a combination of Maldivian dishes plus plenty of international favorites in their on-site restaurants.
During our stay at Fiyavalhu Resort, we also took a cooking class with Executive Chef Anwar Javed Kahn. He taught us how to prepare Bosh Mashuni (tuna salad), Garudhiya (tuna soup), Lonumoris Prawns Curry, and Huni Folhi (coconut crepes). Armed with the recipes, we’re hoping to recreate these dishes at home.
7: Understand the risks of global warming firsthand.
The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world and hence, is threatened by sea level rise, coastal storm surges and flooding associated with global warming. It’s not an overstatement to say that time is running out for the Maldives. At the current rate of global warming, experts predict that 80% of the Maldivian islands will be uninhabitable by 2050, swallowed up by rising seas.
The country is trying to adapt: reef restoration, artificial reef construction and even floating cities. But the country and its population of 521,000 people will not be saved unless the world’s largest polluters — the United States, China, India and the European Union — take significant and immediate action. It’s something to consider during your visit.
