Maldives with kids who dream of diving with sharks and dolphins
Maldives with kids for the third time here! Beside honeymooners and serene silence, these magnificent islands are the barefoot luxury playgrounds for families seeking the extraordinary : from wildlife encounters (Maldives shark diving!) to endless freestyle adventures and seamless child-friendly service. We celebrated birthdays with friends, we kayaked to picnic islands, we dove and snorkelled with huge rays, nurse sharks, huge parrot and unicorn fish, moray eels and reef sharks, swam with over 50 dolphins, ate and drank under the stars and by the sea, embarked on fishing trips and loved feasting on our own catch, soaked in fantastic sunrises and sunsets. In the past we tested and raved about Angsana Velavaru and Taj Exotica; on this occasion we were at Anantara Dhigu.
Why do we keep choosing the Maldives with kids? The islands offer something few destinations can match:
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Shallow, crystal-clear lagoons, perfect for young swimmers or young adventurers to kayak by themselves
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Unmatched marine life close to shore, can be observed from the restaurants, your water villa or walks around the island
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Private island safety and ease
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High standards of service and safety
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Short scenic seaplane (Angsana Velavaru) or short speedboat transfers (Anantara Dhigu and Taj Exotica)
For families, this means children can experience reef snorkelling, dolphins, and sharks without long boat journeys or complicated logistics. And we have been diving with sharks and rays and swimming with dolphins worldwide but Maldives tops it all!
Anantara Dhigu: South Malé Atoll, 35 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport, important factor when traveling with babies or toddlers. No seaplanes, no long waits, no exhaustion before vacation even begins. The only downside to the location is that a new island is currently being built nearby, given Male housing issues and overcrowding. A lot has been written about the damage of the sea bed, corals and marine life and we can confirm that the 2 sand extractors working in close proximity do cause low under water visibility and some marine life disruption.
Villas Designed for Families – Anantara Dhigu caters perfectly for Maldives with kids:
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Beach Villas with private pools
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Overwater Villas suitable for families with older children
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Connecting villa options for multi-generational travel
We loved the direct beach access as well as going around the island with our own bikes; moving freely between sand, sea, and villa while parents chill. We also loved our daily trips to the Anantara’s picnic island for more snorkelling and the cutest beach bar; as well as dining on Anantara Velavaru – the adults only option (until 6pm) – more glorious Thai, Indian and Teppanyaki dinners.
Diving With Sharks: A Safe, Thrilling Family Experience – we raved about it for years globally and Maldives is at the top! One of the biggest draws of Anantara Dhigu is its proximity to shark diving sites. What we loved and you can expect:
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Reef sharks (blacktip and whitetip) commonly spotted as well as nurse sharks on Anantara diving center best of dives and snorkel list
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Guided diving with sharks excursions for PADI certified parents and kids
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Educational marine briefings suitable for curious kids – having done both the snorkel and the dive same site, we can confirm both are out of this world experiences – one you see them slightly below and at your level when snorkelling; whilst diving you see them swimming above (a shallow dive / easily done with children with Padi open water).
Unlike more remote atolls, the reefs around Anantara Dhigu are accessible without long boat rides—perfect for families with teens and kids.
Swimming With Dolphins in the Maldives – similarly we raved about our best experiences globally and Maldives tops the charts! Few experiences compare to watching your child’s face light up when dolphins appear alongside the boat; we absolutely adored our Angsana sunset trip – at Anantara we got to swim with them in the wild for over an hour – which is at a different level! Put your fins on and be ready for a very playful session, they are fast and they have a lot of fun, jumping, tricking, curious and joyous.
Anantara Dhigu versus Taj Exotica versus Angsana Velavaru
| Feature | Anantara Dhigu | Taj Exotica | Angsana Velavaru | |
| Transfer | Speedboat (35 min) | Speedboat (35 min) | Seaplane | |
| Best For | Families with young kids | Couples & older kids | Couples & families | |
| Shark Diving | Excellent, close reefs | Excellent, close reefs | Excellent but remote | |
| Kids Club | Strong focus | Limited | Very good | |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, family-friendly | Ultra-romantic | Relaxed, family-friendly |
Verdict: Anantara Dhigu wins for families / Maldives with kids prioritizing convenience – babies, toddlers & young children, fantastic Dive Centre and wildlife experiences.
The Spa? Wonderful! The best sunsets in a jacuzzi or having a very cold plunge after the sauna or steam room soaking in the sun and fish and sharks swimming by!
The kidsclub? Extensive! From sushi making classes, to basketball and regular expeditions !
Do we eat well at Anantara? We have experienced some of the best restaurants in Maldives on our trips and delighted to confirm Anantara spoiled us thoroughly through our stay! The combined Anantara Veli & Dhigu experience brings together creative global cuisine with signature island hospitality: 🍣 Origami : refined Japanese specialising in sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki. 🍛 Cumin: spice-rich South Asian dishes that draw inspiration from the Indian Ocean’s vibrant flavours. 🥢 Baan Huraa: set over the lagoon, this Thai restaurant combines authentic cuisine with breathtaking water views. 🌊 Sea Fire Salt : one of the resort’s standout destinations and our favourite: an over-water grill and seafood restaurant where island fresh catch and classical techniques meet by the ocean.🍕 Aqua & Fushi Café: casual and relaxed options — from fantastic Maldives curries and fresh reef fish, to wood-fired pizzas and sophisticated cakes to themed buffet nights at Fushi Café. 🌅Beach dinners over sunset to lunches following fishing expeditions! The kids loved fishing and we loved eating the fresh catch marinated with Maldivian spices and grilled over open flame to enhance the juicy flavours.
For further reading on Christmas in Maldives and why it makes the best present, head here. For sunset boat rides in the Maldives in here; and for Seychelles versus Maldives and which one suits you best, head here.
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