If you’re reading this you’ve likely gone down the online rabbit hole while researching your Maldives trip.
I wanted to type up this list of regrets – mine and those that I’ve heard from others (in person and online) – in order to help you decide:
- How to book your trip
- What to pack
- How to organize your time in the Maldives
These are all based on a resort stay in the Maldives (vs staying on a local island).
Our family had an amazing time in the Maldives and even though I want us to see new places, we’re heading back.
I hope this list helps you in your quest to design the perfect Maldives trip for you and your group. Enjoy the incredible Maldives!
Good To Know: Sometimes you’ll see opposites as regrets. That’s because we all have different travel styles, interests, and goals for Maldives vacations.
Maldives Regrets – When to Travel & For How Long
- Staying for too long.
- Not staying long enough.
- Booking during _______ because it rained.
- Traveling right before Christmas. The decorations and schedule of activities looked amazing and I think it would’ve been an perfect place to celebrate.
Maldives Regrets – Resorts
- Not booking a child-free resort. We left our kids home for a reason.
- Not doing more research on the kids club at our resort. It was focused on small kids (preschool age) and my preteens weren’t interested in it.
- Not booking the AI package. I didn’t realize how expensive food and drinks are in the Maldives!
- Choosing a resort with a sub-par house reef. We came here to snorkel and left unsatisfied.
- Choosing a resort without a reef. I assumed that all Maldives islands have a house reef, but that’s not the case.
- Choosing a resort with only three restaurants. We were bored with the food choices after a few nights.
- Choosing a resort that was too big. We didn’t get the quiet island that we were hoping for. There was too much going on, too much noise, and not enough ‘tranquil island’ for us.
- Reserving a stay at a resort that was too small. We could walk around it in 15 minutes.
- Choosing a resort that didn’t have a Maldives feel. The décor wasn’t Maldivian at all.
- Trying to choose a resort with everything (vs focusing on a resort that excels at your priorities – dining, reef, etc.)
- Booking a room that wasn’t on the beach. It was less expensive to stay in a garden room but we had to walk to the beach and I couldn’t leave the kids to spend time at the beach in the morning while they were still sleeping. If we go back, we’ll stay on the beach!
- Staying too close to Malé.
- Staying in an overwater villa. We always ended up walking to the beach to get in the water.
- Not staying in an overwater villa. They seem quintessential Maldives.
- Not looking at our resort island on Google Maps to see what was nearby (a local island just across the way). It was so close we lost the ‘deserted island’ feel.
- Trying to stay in too many resorts in too little time. I wish we’d just stayed in one place.
Malives Regrets – Travel to and From the Maldives
- Not reading the weight limits for the seaplane. Our bags were too heavy for seaplane so we had to pay extra.
- Thinking I’d be ok with multiple layovers. We were so exhausted by the time we got to Malé and we still had a seaplane transfer!
- Not having something more modest for the airport (female). Next time I’d pack something lightweight that covers my shoulders and knees.
- Stressing about the arrival. Our resort had representatives that met us when we exited the arrivals area and held our hand all the way to the resort (to the seaplane check in, getting on the shuttle to the seaplane departure terminal, walking us to the resort’s lounge, and then walking us to the seaplane).
- Booking an early flight out of Malé. We had to spend the night in Malé, and I wish we could’ve had that time on our island.
Maldives Regrets – Packing
- Not packing enough sunscreen.
- Forgetting to pack reef safe sunscreen.
- Not bringing my hat because it doesn’t look cool.
- Not packing our favorite snacks. We had some snacks in the mini bar but they weren’t what we like to eat. And, there wasn’t anywhere to buy other snacks.
- Forgetting rash guards. The sun in the Maldives is strong and I would’ve had my kids wear them every day. I would’ve worn one snorkeling (I used a t-shirt instead).
- Not bringing a couple of types of insect repellent. Ours didn’t work but maybe another would have.
- Bringing travel sizes of toiletries. Our hotel had large bottles that were refilled and after learning about waste management in the Maldives, I wouldn’t have left our small empty bottles there (which was my original plan).
- Wearing synthetic fibers. It’s so hot that any fabrics that aren’t natural (cotton, linen, etc) are uncomfortable.
- Packing fancy shoes and clothing. I wore my swimsuits, cover ups, and two casual outfits for dinners.
- Not packing cute outfits for photos. I wish I had some ‘Maldives glam’ photos.
- No bringing full face snorkeling masks for my kids. One of my sons didn’t want to snorkel with the resort’s gear (it wasn’t comfortable on his head), which was disappointing because I know he would’ve loved the colorful underwater life in the Maldives.
- Packing too much. We wore 25% of what we brought.
- Bringing my iPad as my reading device. It was too bright outside so I could only read in the room.
Maldives Regrets – On Trip
- Relying on the resort shop. It was expensive and small.
- Waiting until the end to do _____, because it was canceled. Poor weather or not enough signups can lead to some resorts canceling an excursion, cooking class, etc.
- Reserving too many excursions and activities and not leaving enough downtime. I thought we’d be bored but there were plenty of unstructured things to do on our island.
- Not bringing cash for staff tips. We wanted to tip people separately (restaurant staff, bar staff, kids club staff, watersports staff, spa staff, etc) rather than leave a group tip with a credit card.
- Not interacting with local Maldivians outside of the resort. I didn’t realize how insulated the resort islands are.
- Not downloading the resort’s app. It could be used to make restaurant reservations (and cancel them if needed), book excursions, see the daily schedule of activities, and more.
- Assuming the excursions and activities were all included in the all-inclusive plan. A couple of them were, but we ended up paying a lot more for excursions.
- Not explaining my dietary intolerance before arriving. Once the resort staff knew, it was easy, but the first day was rough because they didn’t know.
- Not confirming the ages for the kids’ club (the age that kids can stay without a parent). We had to be with our 1-year-old in the kids club.
Maldives Regrets – General
- Not doing more research before booking.
- Forgetting to fill out the IMUGA form.
- Not reading more about Maldivian culture before arriving.
- Booking flights and hotels separately.
I hope these help you with your plans and time in the Maldives!
Be sure to check out all of our Maldives with Kids posts:
Maldives with Kids – How to Plan the Perfect Trip
7 Reasons to Book a Family Trip to the Maldives
6 Helpful Tips for Your First Visit to the Maldives with Kids
30+ Maldives Family-Friendly Resorts – Compared by a Mom (Includes Table & Notes)
How Many Days to Spend in the Maldives
Family Packing List for the Maldives
Maldives with a Baby – Yes or No?
Maldives with Teens
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Review – Family Paradise in the Maldives
Overwater Villa or Beach Villa – Choosing One for Your Maldives Family Trip
Family-Specific Questions to Ask Your Maldives Resort – Before You Book
Taking a Seaplane in the Maldives
Tips for Taking a Seaplane with Kids
Maldives Regrets – From Resort Choices to Packing Mistakes
