Jumeirah Olhahali Island in the Maldives has a packed timetable of activities, so you and your kids can swap subtraction for submarines, Latin for latte art and French lessons for Dhivehi, while the chance to plant coral will fascinate budding biologists.

Here are 22 things to do at our resort in the north Indian Ocean archipelago.

Make a splash

Give your kids a chance to get up close to sealife in our Dive Centre’s semi-submarine. Parents and children of all ages will be impressed by the striking underwater world around the North Malé Atoll, the group of isles to which Olhahali Island belongs. Our partially submerged submarine has large windows so you can spot butterflyfish, clownfish and angelfish – plus dolphins and reef sharks if you’re lucky – all while staying dry.

Of course, if you do want to play in the water, we won’t stop you. Accompanied by a parent, children aged six and above who know how to swim will delight in our fun toy ride and kids’ banana boat ride, during which they’ll whizz around the island on inflatables.

As bedtime approaches, wind down by fishing at sunset. Kids aged six and above can watch the last of the sun dip beneath the horizon as they cast a fishing line and wait for fish to nibble on the bait.

Foodie fun

Playing with your food is positively encouraged during our pizza making classes at Shimmers. Our chefs teach adults and children 12 and above how to make pizza in our Greek and Mediterranean beach club restaurant, which is set around an infinity pool overlooking the sea.
 

Older children and parents can also discover how baristas make coffee look so enticing in a latte art class at Café Lounge, which has a terrace with sea views.

A dose of vitamin sea

We have plenty of complimentary activities, too, such as helping our Dive Centre team plant coral to enhance the reefs that ring Olhahali Island – an activity suitable for all ages.

Your kids won’t miss out on PE as they can stay active with kayak races hosted at our Dive Centre. Children four and above must be accompanied by an adult, while those aged 10 and above can kayak in their own vessel. You can also take part in a paddleboard race at Water Sports Beach.

Kids can’t swim yet? Children six and above can learn basic strokes in swimming lessons at Shimmers’ pool, which are also suitable for adults.

Back on dry land, over 12s and adults can play beach volleyball at Water Sports Beach, which is set against a lagoon, or take part in a football match for adults and over 14s at our Team’s Football Ground.

Summer school

Whether your kids are environmentalists, linguaphiles or horticulturists, we have a range of free educational classes to interest them.

If the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has inspired your children to think more about sustainability, they may wish to take part in a lecture about the underwater world with our resident marine biologist in our Dive Centre, which is suitable for adults and children 12 and above. Our biologist also hosts marine talks for toddlers three and above at PLAY Kids Club, while all ages can participate in a nature walk to learn about the island’s flora and fauna, guided by our gardening chief.

Alternatively, how does learning our local language Dhivehi in our Café Lounge sound? Children aged six and above can master the basics of this local language, which is spoken by around 530,000 people.

Just for fun

Your kids can capture the feeling of the last day of school with an array of exciting complimentary activities.

Tots aged four and above can make a masterpiece to take home in our Island Studio, while those aged five and above can get crafty and learn towel art – that’s origami with towels – at our Peruvian and Japanese restaurant, Kayto.

Tots aged three and above can join a treasure hunt to find fortunes buried by pirates.

Children 12 and above meanwhile will enjoy a Bodu Beru drumming session at Island Studio, which you can join too.

The fun doesn’t stop after nightfall, as all ages can listen to Bodu Beru drummers at a party on Coconut Beach, where kids can enjoy an array of mocktails. You can also flop onto bean bags beneath the palm trees to watch films in our al fresco cinema, Little Guest’s Cinema Under the Stars – which counts as research for film studies, surely.


Discover more about your next holiday destination with our essential guide to the Maldives, then get inspiration on new skills you can learn on holiday or adventurous things to do in the archipelago.