Fiji vs Maldives for Families: The Luxury Travel Expert’s Guide

When planning a luxury family holiday to a tropical paradise, Fiji and the Maldives often top the list. Both destinations offer pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class resorts, but which one is right for your family? As luxury travel experts, we’ve helped countless families make this decision, and here’s what you need to know.

Getting There

The Maldives requires a longer journey from the UK, typically involving a connection through the Middle East with a total travel time of around 12-14 hours. Fiji is even more remote, requiring at least one stopover (often two) with journey times exceeding 24 hours. For families with young children, the Maldives wins on accessibility.

Accommodation and Activities

The Maldives specialises in overwater villas and tends to cater more to couples, though many resorts now offer excellent family facilities. Fiji, by contrast, has a strong family-oriented culture with resorts specifically designed for children. Fijian resorts often feature kids’ clubs, cultural activities, and larger family villas on the beach.

Water sports are excellent in both destinations, but Fiji offers more variety beyond the beach. Families can enjoy zip-lining through rainforests, river rafting, visiting traditional villages, and exploring waterfalls. The Maldives focuses primarily on marine activities like snorkelling, diving, and water sports.

Cost Considerations

Both destinations sit at the luxury end of the market, but Fiji generally offers better value for families. The Maldives can be prohibitively expensive, especially when you factor in the costs of getting to your resort (speedboat or seaplane transfers) and the premium prices for everything on the islands.

The Verdict

Choose Fiji if you want cultural experiences, varied activities beyond the beach, better value for money, and resorts purpose-built for families. Choose the Maldives if you prioritise shorter travel times, an exclusive overwater villa experience, and your children are strong swimmers who’ll appreciate the incredible marine life.

For most families, especially those with younger children or those seeking an active holiday with cultural immersion, Fiji edges ahead as the better choice.