Most people would say it’s not a good idea, but there are many compelling reasons to consider a Maldives holiday in summer.
It’s excellent value as it’s the low season. The best resorts have created special summer programs for families. It’s far less crowded than Europe. And the weather? Well, let us explain.
Summer can be a great time to visit the Maldives. It’s just not considered a summer destination.
Isn’t summer a time to avoid the Maldives?
When the weather was predictable then yes, the Maldives wasn’t advisable in summer. It couldn’t offer the guaranteed beautiful blue skies of winter.
But in summer 2023 the Maldives was mostly dry, while Southern Europe was overheating and overcrowded.
Last year we had clients visit the Maldives in January and see three rainy days in a week. Then clients who enjoyed a week of clear blue skies in August.
You could have cloudy days in summer and you could have the occasional thunderstorm. However, rain in the Maldives passes quickly. And more so than ever, weather can’t be guaranteed anywhere you travel.
Maldives is excellent value for families in summer
Value is a good reason the Maldives can be right for your summer family holiday. May to September is the low season in the Maldives and the high season in Europe.
Almost every good suite in Europe is at its most expensive in July and August. Whereas almost every villa in the Maldives is cheaper in summer than winter.
This article provides three comparisons from 2023, showing what the same €30,000 and €15,000 budget got you in Europe and the Maldives.
Special Summer Programs for Families in the Maldives
Compared to Europe, the Maldives offers a lot more for your money. More space, choice, exclusivity and privacy.
The number one reason to consider these Indian Ocean islands is the special summer programs they offer for families.
Real Madrid Football Camp at Patina Maldives
In a Maldives first, Patina will host a football camp with the Real Madrid Foundation, from 4th July to 12th August.
The two-hour daily training sessions are led by a coach and former Real Madrid player, with sessions for 5 – 9 year olds, 10 – 14 year olds and 15 – 17 year olds.
Patina has a history of inviting great guests from the worlds of sport, art, gastronomy and wellness; current top five tennis player Alexander Zverev held a tennis camp here last year.
From 14th July to 15th August 2024 Patina will also offer a youth sailing academy. There are also pottery classes with Clay Studio throughout June.
This summer’s program includes workshops by sustainable artist Sassan Behnam-Bakhtia (4th July to 12th August), recently awarded pizza maker of the year Salvatore Fiata, and mural artist Aba Skiba running illustration workshops for kids (both (1st – 31st August).
For families we recommend the villas on the lagoon, as they are more private than the over water villas.
Throughout summer you will enjoy some excellent deals for stays of longer than four nights, at a contemporary island resort that has quickly become one of our favourites in the Maldives.
Amazing dining (without the kids) at Soneva Fushi & Soneva Jani
Two outstanding resorts that barely need an introduction for our clients. Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani have consistently provided outstanding family holidays.
The Den at Soneva Fushi is the largest children’s club in the Maldives, complete with an eight-metre high pirate ship and musical piano keys on the floor.
Both Soneva Fushi and Jani great choice for adventurous teenagers, with outdoor educational courses through the Soneva Academy, which can include Junior Masterchef and coral reef restoration. And let’s not forget the incredible water slides fitted to the villas.
We also like how Soneva deliver a very thoughtful and understated luxury, grounded in outstanding hospitality.
Two hours of babysitting per evening are included in every family stay, throughout the summer. Meaning you can dine around their amazing restaurants, without the kids. And Soneva really does offer a remarkable variety of top quality restaurants to try, like Flying Sauces, a restaurant in the treetops accessed by zipline.
Throughout summer there is also complementary full board for the kids.
Among Soneva’s summer residents are the astrophysicist Dr James Gilbert (25th July to 10th August) and doubles tennis legend Bob Bryan (6th – 16th August).
Kids can look forward to meeting one of the world’s best freestyle footballers, Igor Oleynik, who founded the world’s biggest street football school (16th – 26th July).
Later in the year you can meet Czech astronomer Petr Horálek at Soneva Fushi, 20th October to 5th November.
Space Camp at COMO Maalifushi
COMO Maalifushi has always been a good choice for families, especially for longer holidays.
The family villas with pools are excellent, so are the beaches, and they’re constantly providing new activities for kids and adults. Including yoga for kids!
This summer COMO Maalifushi welcomes NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who will lead a Space Camp with space advisor Christina Korp.
It’s designed for children and adults alike. Or more specifically, it’s created as an adventure program to enjoy with your kids, learning about outer space through art, food and movement.
Space Camp runs from August 5th to August 14th and anyone staying at COMO Maalifushi can book onto the camp. You don’t need to stay for the duration. You can participate for only one day if you wish.
Stays of five nights or more come with a number of complimentary inclusions, like seaplane transfers and full board for two kids under 12.
Ladies Wellness Packages at Nautilus Maldives
Nautilus is a small resort, just 26 beach and ocean villas and the intimate service that comes with this boutique size. Although it looks like an iconic couple’s oasis, we’ve always recommended Nautilus for families as well.
The villas are enormous, ideal when you need space for noisy kids to run around. The kids club is really well tailored to individual children. And there are lots of activities you can do together as a family, including snorkeling the house reef and cruising on the resort’s yacht.
Two children under 12 stay for free any month of the year. In summer they also offer 25 – 30% discounts on villas and complementary half board.
This summer Nautilus also has a special ladies getaway package. It could be an option for four women travelling together. Or a lovely wellness focus for mum on holiday with her family.
Famed wellness retreat Ananda in the Himalayas complete the wellness offering, with a residency from August 16th to 26th.
Two of the world’s more experienced ayurvedic practioners, Mr Sandeep Dhamada and Ms Krishna Karki will bring their ayurvedic treatments and holistic medicine to the Nautilus spa.
There’s a restaurant collaboration too, with ayurvedic cuisine at the restaurant.
Maldives for you this Summer?
Maldives in summer is not a traditional choice. But it offers you exactly that – choice.
In this article we’ve covered only four resorts. We know interesting summer programs in many more good resorts.
And almost every Maldivian resort offers a range of complementary extras and inclusions throughout the summer, making a summer island holiday even more compelling.
One of our travel designers can guide you through the options.
