DESTINATIONS MALDIVES | FAMILY HOLIDAYS


CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The yoga pavilion at Finolhu; snorkelling with turtles PICTURE: Shutterstock/JMontes


yacht under the expert guidance of marine biologist Ivanna Tobar. Neither Georgie nor I had ever snorkelled before, and although I’m a reasonably competent swimmer, the idea of jumping into the middle of the ocean, miles away from dry land – even with a life jacket – seemed frankly terrifying. Georgie on the other hand (who was chosen for her local swimming squad) was thrilled at the prospect.


Yet with Ivanna’s gentle


encouragement, I soon felt like Jacques Cousteau as Georgie and I gazed in wonder at turtles and the technicolour display of yellow, blue and mauve fish swimming above the creamy coral. On our final afternoon, Georgie and I went for a walk on our own. As our feet sank into the gently sloping dunes, Georgie called out: “Look, Mummy”, pointing excitedly


to a tiny baby crab, its spidery legs sidling along at breakneck speed near her toes.


At that moment, I realised had made the right decision in choosing to go ahead with our trip. Georgie and I had had our own tropical island adventure, experiencing much of the Maldives’ magic in our own ways as well as together – and my mum would have been so happy to know that.


TW BOOK IT


Inspiring Travel offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at Finolhu, A Seaside Collection Resort, staying in a Private Pool Villa, from £13,445 for two adults and one teenager. The price includes return Emirates flights from Heathrow, domestic flights and speedboat transfers, based on a departure of February 14, 2026. inspiringtravel.co.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


16 OCTOBER 2025


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