May Half Term to Maldives

Families need sheltered water, kids' facilities and manageable transfers, and several resort areas combine these well during the school break.

• Family resorts: Many resorts across this western atoll have sheltered lagoons and gently shelving sand, which suit children who want to paddle and snorkel close to shore. Several run children's clubs and offer larger family villas, and the speedboat transfer is short enough to manage with younger travellers. The main trade-off is that some of the busiest resorts can feel lively at peak times, so we check each property's facilities before confirming your room. It is exactly the brief our Maldives Family Holidays deals are built around.
• Resort lagoons: This Maldivian atoll has resort islands with sheltered reef lagoons, where children can explore shallow water and see reef fish from the shore. The longer transfer takes more planning with children, which is why we map out flight and boat times before you travel. Families who want a calmer resort rather than a busy one often find this northern atoll the better fit for a week of gentle snorkelling.
• Huvadhoo family villas: This southern Maldivian region combines resorts with local islands, and several of its properties offer spacious family villas that give children room to spread out. The journey by domestic flight and boat is longer, so families should allow extra time on arrival day. In return you get quieter beaches and a slower pace that many parents prefer during a school holiday.
• Resort options: The southern atoll of Addu is linked by causeways, so families can move between islands more easily than in most other atolls. Resort choice here is smaller than in the central atolls, which means fewer options for children's clubs but a calmer setting. Resort options in this part of the Maldives suit families who value a more local feel and are happy to trade resort entertainment for space and quiet.
• Maafushi family stays: Maafushi is a local inhabited island a short speedboat ride from the capital, with guesthouses rather than large resorts. It suits budget-conscious families who want easy access and a glimpse of local life, though the island is alcohol-free and dress should be modest in public areas. Families who want a resort-style children's programme should look elsewhere, but for a simple, affordable week by the sea it works well.