The ultimate guide to family holidays in the Indian Ocean

If you’re looking to plan a family holiday that’s big on both relaxation and adventure, the Indian Ocean is hard to beat.

With breathtaking scenery, family-friendly resorts and a variety of activities to suit every age and stage, the Indian Ocean islands – which include the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles – combine sun, sea and spectacular entertainment. Read on to find out why families love these islands.

Why the Indian Ocean is perfect for a family holiday

When planning a family getaway, there are a few must-haves to get out of the way first. Brilliant family-focused resorts come high on the priority list, of course, while you’ll also want to make sure you have some cultural attractions to explore (great for sneaking in a bit of stealth education), a few pools or beaches to splash around in and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. A trip to the Indian Ocean’s islands ticks all those boxes and then some.

From colourful kids' clubs and dedicated pools and play areas to children’s menus and in-room essentials for younger travellers, all you need to do is show up and switch into holiday mode. Little ones will be kept busy with everything from island treasure hunts to cooking classes, meaning you can steal away for some well-deserved R&R in the spa or a cocktail by the pool. Kids can get a taste of local culture too, marvelling at Sri Lanka’s ancient temples or immersing themselves in Mauritius’ Creole traditions.

What makes the Indian Ocean a family-friendly destination?

At the best resorts in the Indian Ocean, families are never an afterthought. The staff here know that keeping the kids happy is the key to making sure everyone is happy. They do that by putting together activities to suit the tiniest of tots right up to hard-to-please teens – think family movie nights on the beach in the Maldives, zip-lining in the Seychelles and scuba lessons for first-timers in Mauritius.

How to plan your Indian Ocean family holiday

Planning a family holiday in the Indian Ocean means choosing a destination that works for everyone, whether you’re looking to flop on the beach, immerse yourself in local culture or get up close and personal with wildlife. Here’s what the Indian Ocean islands have to offer:

The Maldives

Known for its crystal-clear lagoons and dazzling coral reefs, the Maldives is a top choice for families looking to dive into ocean adventures. Come to uncover the secrets of the ocean floor with guided diving excursions, spot dolphins at sunset and get little ones excited about protecting the planet with sessions on coral conservation and sea turtle protection.

Mauritius

This tropical island paradise is the place to bring budding nature lovers. Mini Attenboroughs will feel right at home strolling around the island’s famed botanical gardens and spotting rainbows of fish on snorkelling trips. Bigger kids, meanwhile, will love exploring the ocean playground with water sports like surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet ski rides.

Sri Lanka

If you’re looking to combine beachside lounging with the thrill of a safari, Sri Lanka is the place to book. Here you can spot prowling leopards and majestic elephants on land, while the waters are teeming with both blue whales and sperm whales. Mix things up with cultural days out touring ancient temples and historic forts.

Seychelles

Going island-hopping in the Seychelles should be high on the agenda for adventure-loving families. Kids can live out their Jurassic Park fantasies in Praslin island’s prehistoric palm forest and walk with giant tortoises on Aldabra. And that’s before you even get to the pristine beaches and translucent waters packed full of tropical fish, manta rays and whale sharks.

What to expect from a family holiday in the Indian Ocean

It’s easy to plan a hassle-free family holiday in the Indian Ocean – you just need to know exactly what to look out for. Here’s what you can expect:

Activities for everyone

Little ones are taken care of with beginner snorkelling sessions to introduce them to the life aquatic, crab races on the beach and joyfully messy arts and crafts workshops in the kids’ club. Meanwhile, older kids and teens can feel like marine explorers as they dive into water sports, head off on intrepid hikes in the jungle and track down local wildlife on adrenaline-pumping safaris.

Family-friendly dining experiences

Mealtimes can be the trickiest things to nail on family holidays – but not in the Indian Ocean. Those with fussy eaters can relax at buffet restaurants, while for a more diverse experience à la carte restaurants with kids’ menus are the way to go. Whatever they eat, the kids will love being able to dine with their toes in the sand or while gazing out at the stars from a treetop spot.

What makes Indian Ocean family holidays so special?

Whether you’re exploring a house reef in the Maldives, hiking wildlife-rich trails on volcanic La Réunion or learning traditional Mauritian crafts, here’s what sets Indian Ocean family holidays apart:

Experience island living

Resorts on private islands come with serious Robinson Crusoe vibes, while secluded, sheltered beaches are the ideal place for young ones to discover the delights of the water in total safety. When you’re travelling with the family, any extra space goes a long way – look for family villas with separate kids’ rooms. Even better if they also have their own pool.

Broaden your horizons

There are some things you simply can’t learn in a classroom – having the chance to fully immerse yourself in the Indian Ocean islands’ traditions is one of them. Kids will get a hands-on introduction to the diverse ecosystems that make up this fascinating part of the world, with everything from cooking and culture workshops to Creole language classes.

7 of the best resorts for a family holiday in the Indian Ocean

Here’s our handpicked list of the finest family-friendly resorts in the Indian Ocean:

1. Kuramathi Maldives

Kuramathi Maldives is a family paradise, with tranquil lagoons for safe snorkelling, mind-blowing marine life to discover and epic kids’ clubs for younger guests.

2. Constance Ephelia Seychelles

With spellbinding natural beauty, the Seychelles is a haven for younger explorers. Constance Ephelia combines family-friendly luxury with easy access to nature and adrenaline-filled activities like zip-lining and rock climbing.

3. LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius

LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius is a one-of-kind resort that puts families at the heart of everything they do – expect expansive family villas, a dedicated kids' club and beachfront activities.

4. Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Zilwa Attitude is a top choice for those travelling with kids, offering immersive cultural activities, family-friendly accommodations and access to local attractions.

5. Shangri-La Hambantota, Sri Lanka

It’s easy to spend quality family time together at Shangri-La Hambantota, with everything from golf and archery to supervised kids’ clubs and nature walks on the agenda.

6. Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Sri Lanka

A stay at Cinnamon Bentota Beach guarantees easy access to cultural sites, plenty of beach activities and excellent dining options for families.

7. Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

Book a hassle-free family getaway at Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius, with its spacious family villas, fine dining options and kid-friendly pools.

This feature was created on 20th November 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.