10 Unmissable Family Activities on The Residence Maldives

For us, one sentence describes The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah & Falhuumafushi: A blissfully simple life where true luxury is gazing at the breathtaking beauty of Maldivian nature every single day.

For our annual family holiday, we’ve once again chosen the enchanting Maldives, a destination that never fails to captivate our hearts.

What is it that draws us to this tropical paradise time and again?

Is it the simple and carefree way of life it offers? The joy of not having to worry about planning itineraries or schedules before and during our trip? Or is it simply the sheer, breathtaking beauty that surrounds you?

The truth is, it’s all of the above, and so much more.

You may also like to read How to choose the Best Maldivian Resort Island

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi

Join us as we unveil 10 unmissable family activities that make The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah & Falhuumafushi a dream destination for families.

Ensuring that your family vacation is not just memorable but also filled with endless fun and adventure.

From snorkeling in the coral gardens to enjoying sunset dolphin tours, or a mum-daughter spa experience, there’s something here for everyone.

Before we dive into our top picks for family activities at Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi, let’s take a moment to familiarise ourselves with this stunning resort and its unique location.

The Residence Maldives consists of two islands, Dhigurah & Falhuumafushi. We stayed at Dhigurah. But all guests have access to both islands and their amenities which is a big plus.

Gaafu Alifu Atoll

Gaafu Alifu Atoll is the second southernmost island chain in the Maldives, consisting of 85 islands, with only 10 of them inhabited and a modest population of around 8,000 residents.
It is also the deepest atoll in the Maldives.

Unlike the more densely populated islands around the capital, Malé, this atoll boasts a more significant landmass.

It’s home to The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah and linked to its sister island, Falhuumafushi, by an impressive one-kilometre-long wooden bridge— the longest privately owned bridge in the Maldives.

This inter-island connection allows for convenient movement between the two resorts, making it an ideal choice for those who also prefer a larger island experience.

How to Get There

To reach The Residence Maldives Dhigurah, you’ll embark on a 50-minute domestic flight from Malé International Airport to Kooddoo Airport. Now, you’re just 60 kilometres away from the equator. Due to its distance from Malé, seaplane transfers aren’t available. A swift 10-minute speedboat ride transports you from Kooddoo to this Maldivian paradise.

The Residence Oasis

Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi distinguishes itself from other Maldivian islands with its impressive size, spanning a length of nearly 4 kilometers. Daily walks offer exercise and exploration opportunities.

Additionally, each room is equipped with simple bicycles, a fun and efficient way to explore the two islands. Each island offers sandy beaches and lush greenery, complete with banana, coconut, and palm trees. This vibrant vegetation lends the island an adventurous ambiance.

Island Amenities

Both islands host pool bars with breathtaking settings.
Dhigurah’s pool is an impressive 42 metres long, providing a magical spot to watch the sunset. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins!

Falhumaafushi’s pool seamlessly blends with the beach, offering a spectacular view. You’ll also find a gym and a water sports centre.

Take advantage of the daily one-hour free kayak and paddleboard usage, a unique way to explore the island, where you may even spot stingrays, sharks, and turtles swimming beneath you.

Getting Around the Islands

Dhigurah, being 2 kilometres long, can be a bit tiring to explore solely on foot, especially with the one-kilometre-long jetty connection to Falhuumafushi which adds another 2 kilometres.

However, don’t worry, this isn’t a hiking holiday. Each room comes with two bicycles (kids get smaller ones), making it easy to explore both islands.

For days when cycling doesn’t appeal, a complimentary buggy service is available covering both islands.

Room Choices

With such a large island, you’ll find a variety of room choices. The 173 rooms (94 on Falhumaafushi and 79 on Dhigurah) are thoughtfully distributed across the beaches and over the water, ensuring a sense of seclusion even with a good number of guests.

Water Villa

We were fortunate to stay in the spacious Water Villa 854, a two-bedroom haven that epitomizes luxury in the Maldives. Each bedroom boasts a massive ensuite bathroom. The master bedroom features a deep soaking bathtub where you can enjoy stunning sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

Beach Villas

Whether overwater or on the beach, every room comes with its own private pool, a definite highlight. Despite the sea being less than 15 metres from your doorstep, the pool adds an extra layer of luxury. Staying in a water villa offers the unique benefit of avoiding sand in your room and beds— a refreshing change.

You may also want to look at the island’s plans and make a decision on whether a more central accommodation is more what you are looking for.

Amenities

• King-size and twin-beds
• Daybed sofa
• Additional rollaway beds are available on request for families of 4 staying in a smaller villa
• Indoor & outdoor showers
• Large bathtub (not used by us)
• Swimming pool and sun loungers (an unexpected extra)
• Air conditioning (individually controlled)
• Ceiling fan
• IDD telephone
• DVD player
• Mini bar (refilled daily when on All-Inclusive)
• Coffee machine
• Personal safe
• Hairdryer
• Bath amenities
• Bathrobes
• Daily housekeeping & turndown service
• In-villa dining

Dining on the Islands

You can choose from 11 restaurants and bars, which is an incredible number considering you are on an island in the Indian Ocean.

The best thing whilst being all-inclusive, you can go anywhere you like to eat. The resort has made it really easy for you, unlike some other Maldivian islands where you can only enjoy meals in some restaurants. Here at The Residence Maldives you can dine as you like on both islands.

With our kids, it was easy to eat at the two main restaurants where they displayed an amazing buffet every mealtime.

Many families also try the Li Bai – Long Island Restaurant and we heard very good reports from there.

10 Unmissable Family Activities on The Residence Maldives

Now that you know a bit more about The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah & Falhuumafushi, let’s get to know some of the amazing family activities on offer.

1. Bubble Maker – Dive

Whether or not you’re a family of avid divers and your children have reached the age of 8, it’s time to introduce them to the wonders of the underwater world with a Bubble Maker lesson. This serves as their initiation into the enchanting realm of diving. The session begins with a brief but crucial overview of the essentials of diving, including an introduction to dive gear sizing, ensuring that your little adventurers are well-prepared.

The diving adventure takes place at a maximum depth of 2 metres, which might not sound deep, but trust us, it’s more than enough to marvel at the underwater beauty. The Dhigurah house reef teeming with marine life offers a fantastic experience at this depth. Watching your kids glide through the water like fish is a sight to behold.

Of course, the Dive Centre also caters to certified divers with exciting dive trips and a range of other courses. The Maldives, with its stunning underwater landscapes, is a remarkable place to either kickstart your diving journey or log more dives in your record.

2. Mother-Daughter (or Son) Spa Session

Vacations are the perfect opportunity to indulge and pamper yourself, and there’s no better place to do it than at the Clarins Spa, with your daughter or son by your side. Book a special children’s massage and an adult treatment, and relish some quality bonding time in a serene atmosphere.

To ensure you secure your preferred time slot, remember to make your spa appointment in advance.

3. Experience a Floating Breakfast

Floating breakfasts are not just a trend in Bali; you can also relish this unique dining experience at The Residence Maldives. Start your day with a floating breakfast that combines tropical vibes, luxury, and a dash of fun.

It’s an experience that’s both distinctive and refreshing, setting the tone for a memorable stay in paradise.

4. Discover the Underwater World through Snorkeling

One of the most astonishing things that often surprises us is the number of travelers who visit the Maldives but don’t experience the sheer delight of snorkeling. We can’t emphasize it enough—why miss out on this incredible opportunity?

All it takes is a simple mask, some fins, and, if you prefer, a swim (life)vest. With these in hand, you’re ready to explore the magnificent coral reefs right outside your accommodation.

It’s like stepping into a dream world where you’ll encounter a dazzling array of fish, and if you’re lucky, perhaps a curious turtle or graceful stingrays.

As a family, snorkeling quickly becomes the highlight of our day, as we eagerly head out to discover the latest underwater wonders.

You will find easy access to the reef at the Dhigurah jetty. You will find steps into the water and you can swim out to the reef drop-off quickly.
The dive school and water sports centre are also right there if you need advice or to collect complimentary snorkeling equipment.

5. Family Cooking Class

Here’s a smart parenting trick for you – the sooner your kids learn to cook, the sooner you can free yourself from the kitchen!

Engage in a Maldivian 3-course culinary adventure and let the kids take charge. This experience not only empowers them with valuable life skills but also reveals how effortlessly you can whip up an exotic and delicious meal that the entire family savors.

When you’re back home, invite some friends and family and show off your Maldivian cooking skills, whilst going over your holiday photos and videos with them.

6. Kayaking in the Turquoise Lagoon

Change your perspective and get to know the island from a whole new angle by paddling out into the turquoise lagoon with a kayak.
For guests on the all-inclusive plan, you have the opportunity to enjoy one hour per day exploring on a kayak or paddleboard.

7. Castaway Picnic on the Sand Bank

Have you ever daydreamed about having a picnic on a deserted Robinson Crusoe island?
Well, in the Maldives, this dream can indeed come true. While it may not be on an entirely deserted island, the castaway spot is nestled between the two islands, about halfway along the wooden jetty. Even though it’s not in the middle of nowhere, it truly feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of civilization.

At the castaway spot, you’ll discover hammocks in the water, a swing, and a bar, adding to the sense of adventure and relaxation. Simply ask the resort to organize a picnic for you in this idyllic setting.

8. Sunset Dolphin Cruise

No trip to the Maldives is truly complete without experiencing the sheer magic of sailing into the sunset on a Dhoni, a traditional Maldivian boat. If you’re fortunate, you might even witness the joy of spinner dolphins displaying their acrobatic skills right in front of the boat, an awe-inspiring sight.

This is the moment where the entire Maldivian experience comes together. The island offers sunset dolphin trips 2-3 times a week, and we highly recommend that you sign up for at least one of these excursions to create unforgettable memories.

9. Explore Dhigurah & Falhuumafushi by Bike

Embarking on a bike ride on a Maldivian island is a unique and unforgettable experience. While people often say they can circumnavigate an island in 15 minutes, at The Residence Maldives, you can proudly claim to have cycled from one end to the other in just 20 minutes.

What makes this journey even more extraordinary is the chance to encounter turtles, stingrays, and even bats in flight as you explore the island’s hidden corners. For our family, daily bike rides were a cherished ritual, allowing us to discover new facets of the islands we hadn’t seen before.

Every room comes equipped with two bikes, and if you’re traveling with children, they’ll find smaller versions of these two-wheelers ready for their adventures.

10. Join the Kids Club

A family vacation at The Residence Maldives is all about creating lifelong memories. However, it’s essential to remember that what you consider important may not be as memorable for the kids as it is for you. Take, for example, the resort’s Kids Club. You might see it as a place to drop off your children and enjoy some precious moments alone with your partner, right?

Well, for our kids, the Kids Club became THE ultimate meeting place with all their newfound friends.
We’d let them enjoy it for a couple of hours before it closed, and it was amazing to witness how these young adventurers bonded and built new friendships.

What impressed us the most was how they enthusiastically made plans for the next day, and we even teamed up with other families to embark on snorkeling adventures organised by the kids themselves!

This haven of fun and learning is perfectly designed to keep everyone engaged and entertained. From exciting arts and crafts activities to thrilling outdoor adventures and treasure hunts, the club offers a delightful range of experiences suitable for kids of all ages.

The staff at the Kids Club are truly amazing; they are adaptive and take excellent care of the kids. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to ensure that your children have the vacation of a lifetime while you enjoy some well-deserved peace and tranquility.

Tips and Hints – The Residence Maldives

Apart from all the other must-do’s here are some points which we feel you should know and it will help you to get straight away into your holiday mood.

• Even if you don’t feel like or want to snorkel, you can often see turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, and sharks from the various jetties around the island.

• Check out the waters around the Falhumaafushi Restaurant (French Restaurant) at the end of the jetty. There are many blacktip reef sharks swimming right under the restaurant. Super cool.

• Make sure you try all the restaurants. Every single one is amazing.

Conclusion: The Residence Maldives Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi

In the enchanting setting of The Residence Maldives, every moment is an opportunity to create cherished memories.

From underwater adventures and sunset cruises to cooking classes and biking expeditions, this resort offers an array of experiences for all ages.

Don’t forget the Kids Club, where children make lifelong friends while you enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. With attentive but not intrusive staff, and pristine surroundings, it’s the ideal destination for a family vacation that promises adventure, tranquility, and unforgettable moments.

Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts – A Dollar-a-Day Initiative

The Residence Maldives is part of the Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts operating worldwide luxury holidays.

Recently Cenizaro has launched the Dollar-A-Day initiative, encouraging guests to donate a dollar per night of their stay. The money will go towards supporting local beneficiaries, hoping to enrich the lives of underprivileged children and families in destinations where Cenizaro operates.

Absolutely love this initiative and to give something good back to the locals makes this worth every dollar. The Residence Maldives supports with this initiative the Villingili Atoll Local Hospital, Dhaandhoo pre-School towards improving their facilities and Nilandhoo village for setting up a compost farm.

Well done!

You may also like these Articles from the Maldives

• • • Fulidhoo – Vaavu Atoll – One of the Best Maldivian Local Island
    • How to choose the Best Maldivian Resort
    • Why we loved Rheeti Faru

I hope that the information provided here will prove useful and that your dream trip to The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi will be as memorable as our stay was.

If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below. This way other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.

Note: Our trip was a work trip, creating content for the island. Thank you again for this opportunity!

Thanks for sharing it!