Discovering the Maldives: How to Choose an Island for a Family Vacation

Kuramati is the largest of the six islands in the northeastern Ari. Its length is 2 km, so it even uses its own shuttle to move around the island. Here is Kuramathi Island Resort, one of the oldest eco-resorts in the archipelago. And if you are afraid that you will get bored on the Maldives island, going up and down, Kuramati, which does not look like a hotel, but like a resort town, breaks this stereotype, because there is entertainment and healthy activities here for every taste and age. But first of all…

As we have already mentioned, Kuramathi Island Resort focuses on the environmental component of the resort project. And this is a very important point, because the island hotel has a full-fledged eco-center. It appeared in 1999: when a hurricane destroyed a large number of coral reefs, the resort management invested money and efforts to study the problem and restore the ecosystem. And in the summer of 2024, the hotel launched the Muraka program (translated from the local dialect, this word means “coral”): specialists grow coral colonies from fragments and revive damaged areas of the reefs.

The center is now run by a British marine biologist and has several experts on the archipelago’s biological system on its staff. They not only give fascinating lectures in which they tell you what bizarre creatures can be found in the local waters and how to behave with them, but also supervise the snorkeling programs. The island even has a museum with a truly breathtaking exhibit, a 11-meter whale skeleton. Spoiler: no one hunted it, and how the whale ended up on Kuramati, you will find out by visiting the museum.

The hydroponic garden, a must-see with children, is another project of the environmental center. Lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, hot peppers and edible flowers are grown there, which are used in the preparation of dishes at local restaurants. In fact, kitchen waste is composted to be used as fertilizer, a new step in the current concept of reasonable consumption of zero waste.

Once in Kuramati, be sure to take a stroll along the Botanical Walk, a specially designed path along which exotic trees grow (try to count how many mini versions of them grow in your home as houseplants!). And don’t miss the huge banyan tree in the center of the island – here you can create amazing social media content, as if it were the set of the movie Avatar.

As we have already mentioned, due to the size of the island, there are special transport here – buggies, beautiful electric cars with several rows of passenger seats. Of course, you can walk, but in some places you will have to walk for almost half an hour! For example, the eco-center is located in the first zone, and there are three such zones in the resort, each with its own reception and several of its own restaurants and bars.

There are a total of 12 culinary projects underway at Kuramathi Island Resort, and if you check in as part of an a la carte dining program, you can choose a new establishment for lunch and dinner each day. That’s not to mention the cafes serving incredible ice cream (be sure to try the one flavored with pandan, the fruit of the local palm) and the bars offering evening entertainment (your fancy dress will come in handy for going out here, but it’s best to leave your heels at home and walk barefoot on the sand).

Since the island has an elongated shape, its beaches are divided into two types: on the one hand, a calm and serene bay without waves, where you can canoe or paddle, on the other, the open sea with a beautiful densely populated coral reef. For freshwater lovers, there are three large panoramic pools.

Do not deny yourself the pleasure of literally diving into the ocean life: if you stay with the whole family in one of the spacious water villas, you can explore the aquatic surroundings of the island on your own. For those who dream of mastering diving, Kuramati will be an excellent place, because in the vicinity of the island there are two dozen interesting dive sites inside and outside the reefs. Here you can see tuna, eagle rays, several species of reef sharks and manta rays. And if you head to the neighboring atoll of Rasdhoo, you will have a chance to meet the majestic hawksbill and green turtles.

While adults are looking for life experiences, boys and girls will not be bored either: Kuramathi Island Resort has an excellent kids club with a mini water park. Children of almost all ages will be busy all day long: they will swim with them in the pool and the ocean, play, learn to cook grills, draw and take care of plants.

The proximity to the ocean and the heavenly nature sharpens the perception: one can perhaps not imagine better conditions for a mental reboot. In addition to seductive spa programs in an overwater studio (Thai, Balinese, Ayurvedic, hot stone and herbal massages – mmm!), Kuramati guests can enjoy sunrise yoga in the beach pavilion and private meditation sessions.

And you should end the day with a unique walk to the sand spit, the island’s emblem. A spit of boiling white sand pierces the turquoise waters, which sparkle with fabulous shades as the sun sets on the horizon… Such moments are unforgettable, and yes, we want to live them again and again, hand in hand with the people closest to us. you.