The Maldives may still be very much a go-to romantic destination, but the islands now have a whole new fan base. Celebrity mums from Billie Shepherd to Rochelle Humes and Abbey Clancy have put the archipelago on the map as the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with your family. We travelled to the idyllic island of Kandima with our two sons, aged seven and four. After a 10-and-a-half hour flight from London to the Maldivian capital, Malé, the 45-minute seaplane trip to Kandima gave us our first proper glimpse of the breathtaking sandy white isles. It didn’t take us long to adjust to life on Kandima, which is available on booking.com. There are no roads or cars, so transport is via a golf-style buggy. Heels or wedges aren’t banned, but they are definitely not practical, and most holidaymakers wear flip-flops or go barefoot – even in the restaurants.
Rochelle and Marvin Humes are fans of the Maldives
(Image: Instagram / Rochelle Humes)
There’s space for everyone to relax, from the comfy sun loungers and wicker egg chairs to day beds and swing chairs, so no need for a 6am alarm to nab the best sunbathing spot. If you’re looking for somewhere slightly different, try SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton on hotels.com or Riu Palace Maldivas on booking.com. Under the sea It’s a myth that there’s little else to do than lie on a sunlounger all day in the Maldives. There’s so much to explore here. We booked fun-filled activities at Aquaholics, the water sports hub. Our first was sea bobbing, which involves using a kind of underwater Jet Ski to take you beneath the surface to swim with the fish and hover above the coral. Next was a Turtle Quest Adventure, where we snorkelled across the calm waters of the Indian Ocean looking for sea life. As well as a starfish, cucumber fish and a few nemos and dories, we saw a huge turtle gliding around its natural habitat. We also loved the early morning boat trip to watch dolphins, hitting the jackpot as dozens of pods danced around our boat.
Sea bobbing allows you to swim with fish and hover above coral
We ticked off parasailing during our trip to the Maldives too
I also ticked parasailing off my bucket list – a totally exhilarating, yet peaceful, experience. The boys’ favourite activity was our sunset fishing trip, where we used lines to catch snapper and a huge grouper. The resort’s chef kindly prepared our catch for lunch the next day – delicious. Tempting cuisine All tastes and dietary requirements are catered for with ample vegan, vegetarian and pork-free options available every day. Flavour and Zest were the two main buffet-style restaurants. Flavour offered traditional Maldivian cuisine, such as curries and vegetable dishes, daily. Other cuisines include Mexican or Turkish, as well as pasta dishes, salads, grilled meats and fresh fish such as octopus and squid.
We stayed at Kandima during our trip to the Maldives
Guests can visit the à la carte restaurants, too. We had a beautiful grilled fish and steak platter under the stars on the beach at Smoked, and picked our own lobster from the tank to feast on at Sea Dragon. At the beachfront restaurant Azure, we experienced a Maldivian feast, including octopus and curry, as traditional live music was played. Fun for the kids During the day, the Breeze Pool Bar and Beach Bar offer tapas, light bites, burgers, pizza and snacks, along with an impressive cocktail menu. A noontime Bellini followed by a 3pm mojito became our holiday staples. Fresh coffee and cakes are served at café Aroma, next to the art studio, or at The Deli. There’s no chance of going hungry. Kandiland, the resident kids’ club, is open all day for those aged between four and 12 and was a huge hit with the children. Babysitting services are available for children aged from six months. The friendly staff are multilingual and fully certified carers, and provide fabulous activities for the children, from mocktail making at the pool bar and baking cakes, to arts and crafts.
The Maldives has plenty of things to do for all of the family
It’s a great place for sports-loving kids, with football competitions and games. It’s also home to a splash park, which is the perfect way to cool down in the heat. Kandiland is even open in the evenings twice a week for a film and pizza night, allowing adults time to eat in peace. Blissful villa We were lucky to stay in a sunset beach villa with its own pool. It had a king-size bed for us and a sofa bed for the kids, plus TV, a coffee machine and a fridge, stocked with beer, wine, soft drinks and chocolate daily. With the villa opening out onto the beach, we loved seeing the kayakers casually gliding by and later, glass of cold wine in hand, watching the beautiful sunset. The outdoor bathroom with its freestanding bath and rainfall shower was blissful and we were soon used to the rustling of the banana trees and the calls of the fruit bats as we bathed. The sunset villas have their own relaxing swirl pool, along with a comfy day bed, which is perfect for a late afternoon snooze. How to book Lead-in rates on a B&B basis at Kandima Maldives, from October for family friendly Sky Studios, start at £181 per night, while villas start at £280 per night. Bookable at Kandima’s website – kandima.com – with exclusive additional discounts. British Airways flies direct to the Maldives throughout the year.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnRochelle HumesAbbey CohenTravel
