The Maldives family resort review: Maafushivaru 2026

The Maldives family resort review starts with a resort we had dreamed about visiting for years. OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, formerly Lti Maafushivaru Maldives, is an island paradise located in the South Ari Atoll. This incredible beach resort is on one of the many Maldives islands, in the Indian Ocean.

This small, luxury 5-star resort offers guests the opportunity to explore and discover the beauty of pristine waters, white sandy beaches, and contemporary accommodation and dining experiences, all in the immaculate setting of a secluded island getaway.

This resort is perfect for a romantic break or celebration – we went there for some rest, and to renew our wedding vows. However, it’s also suitable for small families. We took our son, Aiden, and had a blast!

It has become even more family-friendly since our stay, with new family villas and a Treehouse Kids Retreat for children ages 4 to 12.

I’d been dreaming of a Maldives vacation for years, and I was so happy that we were finally able to make it work for this trip, which was also our anniversary.

If you’re planning your first international family trip, my ultimate guide to traveling internationally with kids is also worth reading before you go.

Want to read about how we got there? Make sure to check out my post on “How To Plan A Trip To The Maldives With A Stopover In Abu Dhabi or Dubai.”

Here’s my review of this beautiful island resort!

Is the Maldives good for families?

1. Treehouse Kids Retreat for ages 4 to 12
2. Family villas sleeping up to five guests
3. Private beaches and easy snorkeling access
4. Kids menus and family-friendly dining options
5. Babysitting and daily family activities available

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort Review

How Big Is OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru?

The resort is in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives, about 96 km southwest of Velana International Airport on its own private island.

Where is Maafushivaru Maldives Located?

The resort is in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives, 93 km from Male Airport on its own private island.

How To Get To The Lti Maafushivaru Maldives?

To get to OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, you’ll need to take a 25-minute seaplane ride from Male Airport.

When you get off the seaplane, you’ll need to take a 5-minute boat ride to the resort.

When you book your trip to OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, your seaplane transfer will be arranged for you. The old $270 to $450 estimate is no longer accurate. Booking.com currently lists round-trip transfers through October 31, 2026 at $611.33 per adult and $366.80 per child ages 2 to 11.

From November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027, the listed rates increase to $643.50 per adult and $450.45 per child.

The seaplane operates during daylight hours, so international arrival times matter when planning your trip.

How To Book Lti Maafushivaru Maldives

You can simply head to OUTRIGGER’s current resort website to book. That’s exactly what we did with the resort directly when we visited. OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort. You can also compare the resort on Booking.com before booking.

Make sure to check the resort’s booking packages for early bird and longer stay discounts. Current offers include savings of up to 30%, meal upgrades and discounts for longer stays, although promotions and inclusions change throughout the year.

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru all-inclusive packages are available, which include dining options plus additional benefits depending on the selected meal plan. The current choices are Half Board, Half Board Plus and Dine Around All Inclusive.

For the Maldives family resort review, I would compare both the room rate and seaplane transfer cost before deciding which booking option is actually cheaper.

How much does the Maldives cost?

1. Standard room: About $578 per night
2. Family suite: About $989 per night
3. All-inclusive rate: Check live date-specific pricing
4. Kids stay free? Sometimes, with qualifying promotions
5. Best booking window: Around 11 weeks ahead

These are Booking.com rate snapshots rather than fixed resort prices. The displayed Beach Villa rate was about $578 per night, while the two-bedroom suite matching the Family Beach Villa layout was about $989 per night. Rates change by dates, occupancy, meal plan, and cancellation terms.

Booking.com was not displaying a separately labelled Dine Around All Inclusive nightly rate when checked, so I would not make up an all-inclusive price. The resort does currently offer a Dine Around All Inclusive meal plan, but you need to price it for your exact dates.

OUTRIGGER Maafushivaru 2026 Price Comparison

The Maldives family resort review price comparison below uses the current Booking.com listing as a snapshot, so always recheck your exact travel dates before paying.

Option	Current rate snapshot	Meal plan shown
Beach Villa	About $578/night	Breakfast
Beach Villa	About $678/night	Breakfast + dinner
Family-style two-bedroom suite	About $989/night	Breakfast + dinner
Dine Around All Inclusive	Check live price	Full dine-around package
Adult seaplane transfer	$611.33 round trip	Through Oct. 31, 2026

These Booking.com rates were displayed for two adults and can change significantly once children, different travel dates, or flexible cancellation terms are added.

Accommodation Types at Lti Maafushivaru Maldives

The resort now lists eight accommodation types rather than the five available when we visited. Current options include the Beach Villa, Beach Villa with Private Pool, Family Beach Villa, Over Water Villa, Over Water Villa with Private Pool, two Sunset Over Water Villa options, and the Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Private Pool.

For the Maldives family resort review, one of the biggest additions is the Family Beach Villa, which has two bedrooms and sleeps up to five guests. My family and I stayed in 2 different villas: the Over Water Villa with Private Pool, previously called the Water Pool Villa, and the Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Private Pool, previously called the Duplex Pool Villa.

All of the villas come equipped with:

• king-size bed
• air con
• TV
• telephone
• mini-bar
• espresso machine
• hairdryer
• electronic safe
• bath and beach towels
• bathrobes
• bathroom amenities

Beach Villa

If you love lush, tropical vegetation, you’ll adore the views from the Beach Villas. Palm trees line the path from the villa down to the pristine ocean. From the villa, you get an enticing view of the beach. Sit on the lounger on your own private wooden deck and watch the sun go down.

The bathrooms in the Beach Villas are semi-open-air, with twin washstands and an open-air shower. You can feel like Robinson Crusoe-turned king!

The Beach Villas sleep up to 3 adults, or 2 adults and a child, and each villa is 99M² in size. 

Beach Pool Villas

These are larger than the Beach Villas at 120 M².

The view from the villa is stunning: a sandy white path leading down to the beach, with lush tropical foliage all around.

The Beach Villa with Private Pool is equipped with all the same things as the Beach Villa, plus it has:

• an indoor and outdoor shower
• a private pool
• a private garden

Duplex Pool Villas

At 184 M², these are the largest of the villas available, sleeping up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 kids. They’re perfect for small family getaways, or 2 couples travelling together.

Built on 2 levels, each floor has a bedroom with a king-sizebed and a large bathroom.

The upstairs bedroom has a beautiful vaulted ceiling, giving a great sense of space. The room opens up to a full balcony, complete with a table and chairs and an impressive view across the lagoon.

The downstairs bedroom opens directly onto the deck. The downstairs bathroom is bigger, with a full bath and open-air shower. It’s all very private though, so there’s no need to worry about your fellow travellers seeing in!

On the deck there are sun loungers, a daybed and a dining area, plus of course, a private pool. If you tire of the pool, the ocean is just a few meters away.

Family Beach Villa

This newer 116 M² villa is specifically designed for families and sleeps up to five people. It has a master bedroom, a second bedroom with two single beds, a living area, private terrace, and direct beach access.

Over Water Villas

What the water villas lack is the lush tropical planting around them, but they make up for it with their ocean views. You are literally on top of the ocean, with that incredible blue-green water as far as the eye can see.

Each villa has a private wooden deck, hanging over the water. Soak it all up on one of the comfy sun loungers.

Like all the other villas, the Water Villas have a king-size bed, plus there is a daybed. They also have a bath with views of the ocean, perfect for a romantic night in!

They’re the smallest of the villas, at 95M², sleeping 3 adults or 2 adults and a child.

Over Water Villa With Private Pool

These are one of the premium overwater options. They’re very spacious at 151M², though they still have a maximum capacity of 3 adults or 2 adults and a child.

Access is via a private walkway, leading you to the villa, which is perched above the ocean. Each villa feels very luxurious, with big open spaces, an enormous bathroom with a freestanding bath and a large wooden deck looking straight out across the lagoon. The deck has loungers, an outdoor sofa and a dining area, plus a private pool.

The star of the show? Steps from the deck down into the ocean itself!

Dining At Lti Maafushivaru Maldives

With 9 incredible eating options, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to food. The restaurant lineup has changed since our 2021 stay. The current resort lists six restaurants and bars: Cuisine Gallery, Moodhu Grill, Art-I-San, Koto, Edgewater and Koffee ‘N Chill.

Meal Plans

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru offers various meal plans – Half Board, Half Board Plus or Dine Around All-Inclusive. See the current Maafushivaru meal plans

We paid for the meal plan, and it was the best choice ever. Unlimited food and drinks all day long. The food and cocktails were so good, so that made it very enjoyable. The meal plan is 100% worth it.

The current Dine Around All Inclusive plan includes breakfast at Cuisine Gallery, lunch at Edgewater, dinner at operational restaurants, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, a replenished minibar and discounts on selected excursions and activities.

That firsthand experience is one reason The Maldives family resort review still leans toward a meal plan if you expect to eat and drink mainly on the island.

Edgewater

Edgewater is now the resort’s main poolside social spot, serving lunch from noon to 4 p.m. and remaining open for drinks until midnight.

Cielo

Spanish for ‘sky’, Cielo is an all-day restaurant serving mainly Italian food. You’ll find it above the Water Bar. Sit outside on the spacious deck and enjoy the ocean view. For dinner one night, I wanted pasta that wasn’t on the menu, and the chef was able to prepare it for me.

Cuisine Gallery

Head to the Cuisine Gallery for breakfast or dinner. They serve an international-themed buffet with live cooking stations. Opening hours are Breakfast: 7:30 am – 10.00 am and Dinner: 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm.

Las Tapas

Another spot for Mediterranean and Asian inspired dishes, in an open-air restaurant next to Maafushivaru’s pool. Check out the ice cream and sorbet menu. Food is served from 11:00 am -5:00 pm.

Moodhu Grill

The beautiful Moodhu Grill is one of Maafushivaru’s signature dining experiences, and it has the most impressive setting. Perched over the water, this contemporary circular building is a pleasure to dine in. It currently serves dinner from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Library Lounge

Art-I-San

Art-I-San is now the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, sitting at one of the highest points on the island with views across the ocean. It opens for dinner from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Koto

Koto has replaced the old Umi listing as the current Japanese fusion restaurant. It sits over the sunset lagoon and includes a Teppanyaki table. Dinner runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Koffee ‘N Chill

The current coffee and dessert spot is Koffee ‘N Chill, serving specialty coffees, desserts and island-made ice cream from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Destination Dining

This is much more exciting than it sounds: for a personalised dining service, have Maafushivaru’s chefs cater for you: you choose the menu and the setting! Destination dining is still available, including private beach dinners and floating breakfasts.

Facilities At Lti Maafushivaru Maldives

Wifi:

With free wifi in all of the villas and across the island, if you really feel the need to check on what’s happening in the outside world, you can! This really is a place to ditch the phone though (other than using it to take photos!).

Renewal-of-vows:

We took advantage of this beautiful service during our stay. It can be organised on request – let them know when you book your villa. You couldn’t ask for a more romantic setting to renew your wedding vows.

Boutique:

This cute little shop has souvenirs to buy for the folks back home, as well as everyday toiletries and beach essentials.

Navasana Spa:

The spa is still open from 9 am to 8 pm and offers facials, massages, scrubs, wraps, wellness sessions, and couples treatments.

My husband surprised me with a 30-minute full-body scrub and 60-minute massage as well as a 75-minute facial. One of the best I’ve had!

Ocean View Gym

The gym offers yoga sessions and the gym, and it has an awesome view of the Indian Ocean. The resort still lists a fully equipped fitness center, although it no longer publishes the old 6 am to 10 am opening time on its current facilities page.

Treehouse Kids Retreat

This is one of the biggest family changes since our trip. The Treehouse Kids Retreat is for children ages 4 to 12 and has a daily program with marine-life activities, crafts, games, kids yoga, treasure hunts, movie time, and more. Children under 4 need a parent or guardian with them.

Babysitting is also available in guest villas from 7 pm to 11 pm. For families, this is one of the strongest additions to The Maldives family resort review compared with what was available during our 2021 stay.

What Can You Do At Lti Maafushivaru Maldives?

As well as swimming in the island’s pool, in the ocean or enjoying the pristine sandy beaches, there are lots of excursions available too.

Choose from:

• Diving. Multi-lingual dive instructors will take good care of you whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced diver. You might see sharks, mantas and turtles, as well as colourful reef fish.
• Snorkelling trips. The snorkel safaris are morning excursions. Expect to see lots of different coral and reef fish, and if you’re lucky, even turtles.
• Fishing trips
• Visit other islands
• Romantic sunset cruises – we had one booked but weren’t able to do it because of the weather.
• Manta Ray excursions
• Whale Shark excursions
• Watersports. Choose from windsurfing, tubing and banana rides, glass-bottom boat trips, kayaks, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, knee boarding and water skiing!
• Vow renewal

Current activities also include guided reef snorkeling, coral planting, mini golf, private boat charters and family activities with the resort’s marine biologist.

If you like water activities, you’re spoiled for choice at OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort.

If your family enjoys combining beach destinations with city trips, our Tokyo, Japan with kids guide is a completely different type of family vacation to consider next.

Frequently Asked Questions On The Maldives Family Resort Review

Overall Thoughts On Lti Maafushivaru Maldives Resort

We had the pleasure of visiting this resort in August 2021, and it was an amazing experience. While there are plenty of places to visit that offer great beaches, food, and activities, this resort’s island destination and attention to detail made this trip truly magical.

If you’re looking for a tropical island paradise to celebrate your honeymoon, anniversary,y or just need some time away with the people who mean the most to you in your life, then Lti Maafushivaru Maldives is perfect.

With 5 villa types and lots of excursions, there are endless opportunities for romance. From couples’ massages to private candlelit dinners, it will make any romantic or family getaway unforgettable!