The Maldives is rated as one of the most exotic destinations in the world, and rightly so. It is an ideal country to visit with family. With a rich marine ecosystem, beaches blanketed with powder-white sand, and the luxury of being in the company of friendly locals, everyone should have this little chunk of paradise on their travel bucket list. A family trip to the Maldives promises relaxation, fun, and tranquillity.

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A pod of Dolphins can be seen throughout the year in the Maldives

Fun things to do -

Unless you are not a nature lover, Maldives might be boring for you. But if you are, Maldives will be nothing short of a paradise for you. The small country has several fun things to do with family. Following are the best of them:

a Dolphin Spotting -

Dolphin spotting is one of the most popular activities amongst tourists visiting the Maldives. One can see as many as four different species of dolphins in the country, most commonly Spinner Dolphins. The size of a pod visible from a boat trip in the Maldives can go up to a thousand. You can even see them do acrobatic stunts.

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A huge group of yellow and white coloured fishes seen just below the surface of the water

a Snorkelling -

With a number of snorkelling spots in its kitty, snorkelling in Maldives is highly recommended. The water in the Maldives is crystal clear ... literally. The underwater visibility is usually more than 20 metres there, which allows a person to explore the Maldives' ethereal underwater world.

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A foreigner trying to catch a fish along with a local fisherman, using traditional Maldivian method

a Fishing -

Traditional Maldivian Fishing is a fun thing to do when in the Maldives. Catching fish using the local method is an art. It is also a great way of making local friends.

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A scuba diver observes the aquatic life under water at Maldives

a Scuba Diving -

If you do not know Scuba Diving, learn it. Snorkelling is highly recommended in the Maldives, Scuba Diving is a must (not literally). The marine animals and the coral reefs form a magical spell which is euphoric for any scuba diver. One can spot a variety of aquatic animals in the Maldives, including turtles, sharks, and colourful fishes.

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A mosque in the Maldives completely illuminated

a Technology Detox -

When in the Maldives, your smartphone should not require a daily charge. Honestly, it would be difficult to spend much time on your phone. The beauty of the place will get you closer to your family. If nothing else, just get lost in the sublime beauty of the place.

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Four kayaks and three jet skis waiting for adventure seekers in the Maldives

a Island Hopping -

The Maldives is an archipelago consisting of nearly 1200 islands. Visitors are allowed to visit more than 200 of those islands. Being such a scattered archipelago, island hopping should definitely be on your list.

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Guests can relax by the side of the infinity pool at Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives

a Religious Sites -

The Maldives is a predominantly Muslim country. There are some marvellous mosques in the country. Hukuru Miskiiy, Grand Friday Mosque, and Hulhumale Mosque are three of the must-visit mosques in the Maldives.

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The exquisitely designed Jumeirah Vittaveli Maldives is a delight to the eyes

a Water Sports -

In the Maldives, one can enjoy a variety of water sports such as Kayaking, Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Windsurfing, Surfing, Water Skiing, etc. Most of the companies that allow people to rent have standard equipment which are safe to use.

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Every villa in Shangri-La Resort Maldives has its own swimming pool

Where to stay -

The Maldives houses some gorgeous resorts dotted around its islands. Most of the resorts are ideal for families. Following are the best six family resorts to stay in:

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A suite at Four Seasons Resort Maldives nestled by the side of the azure blue water of Indian Ocean

a Atmosphere Kanifushi -

Atmosphere Kanifushi houses standalone villas which are separated by plantations. The resort is a perfect hybrid of modern and traditional architecture. There is a wide range of amenities provided, such as jogging trails, sauna, bars & restaurants, beach volleyball, indoor gaming arena, etc.

a Jumeirah Vittaveli -

If you are looking to stay at a luxurious family resort in the Maldives which is not too expensive, Jumeirah Vittaveli is the perfect place for you. Surrounded by nature, the resort offers a bunch of activities for kids as well as adults. It also has a direct access to a beach.

a Kanuhura Resort and Spa -

Kanuhura Resort and Spa is a wonderful place to stay for a family. It offers a variety of amenities and activities for the guests. The activities it provides include Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, tennis, yoga classes, beach volleyball, etc. It also has an outdoor sports arena, a nightclub, a spa, and ten bars & restaurants within its property.

a Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa -

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort offers a stay in villas located on a beach as well as a stay in a tree top hut. This is one of the most family-friendly resorts in the entire country. There are several activities for kids to keep them busy. As for adults, there is a golf course, a bike track, and a spa.

a Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru -

Four Seasons Resort is a well known name across the world. Nestled near the Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the resort offers an ethereal experience. One can undertake water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, wakeboarding, and jet skiing here. The resort also has a massive swimming pool, three bars, and eight restaurants.

a The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives -

Spread over a 52 acre island, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives offers some incredible natural beauty. It has me I swimming pools - one for kids and one for adults, a tennis court, a badminton court, a gym, and a dive centre. There are as many as 11 restaurants which are part of the resort. The resort also has its own private beach.

Food -

Fish is an integral part of the Maldivian Cuisine. The locals eat fish for breakfast, lunch, and even for dinner. Their food is generally spicy, so you may need to tell them to prepare yours with less spice. Most of the restaurants are high-end, but you can also find restaurants where the locals eat. In addition to that, most of the resorts have in-house restaurant(s).

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That is what people in the Maldives usually have for breakfast

The Maldives has some of the most exquisite and breathtakingly beautiful restaurants in the world. For an extremely luxurious dinner, opt for underwater dining. The Hurawalhi Hotel at Lhaviyani Atoll is home to a restaurant which is 5.8 metres underwater. Guests can have a scrumptious meal while enjoying the marine life as a variety of colourful fishes pass by.

Getting Around -

Most of the islands in the Maldives are really small, so you can walk around. . The roads are not at all crowded with vehicles. For bigger islands, you can hire taxis. For transportation between islands, there are three options:

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The underwater restaurant in the Maldives will pamper all your senses

a Ferry -

Ferries take time to travel from one island to another, but they are cheap. A ferry in the Maldives is called a Dhoni.

a Speedboat -

Speedboats can be easily hired from any of the islands that are open for visitors. The quick but a little expensive.

a Sea Plane -

Sea Plane is not the most sought after mode of transportation in the Maldives, but it is the most enjoyable one. Although a ride in a sea plane can be really expensive, one gets to get an aerial view of the heavenly azure waters of the Indian Ocean and it hardly takes any time to get from one location to another.

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A sea plane ready to take-off in the Maldives

Budget -

The Maldives is not a Berger travel destination, but thankfully, it is not too expensive either (I am thinking of you, Mauritius). For a family of four, comprising of two adults and two kids, your expenses per day could be just INR 8000 per day.

Visa -

Indian passport holders can enter the Maldives without a visa. A free 90 day visa is issued to Indian nationals on their visit to the Maldives.

How to Reach -

The Maldives is well connected with India, as regular fights move between the two countries. Airfare could cost you around INR 15,000 to 20,000 (depending on your city) per person for a return flight ticket

When to go -

November to May is when the weather in the Maldives is really good. Starting from the second half of December to the end of March, the Maldives experience a high season. So, ideally, mid-November to December and April to May are the best months to visit the Maldives.