Just back from Veligandu and thought I would post a general comment

We had several people ask why we would take our 8 year old to the Maldives, it's for honeymooners. Well firstly families have rights to go on holiday and we do not all want to go to a holiday camp in Spain and secondly we only met 1 honeymoon couple on our island, may have been more? Some islands do have more honeymooners than others, Veligandu runs at approx 65% repeat guests

Veli had a nice mix of younger and older couples and maybe about 12 children out of 170 guests. Most children were not English but all looked happy enough. Veli does not have any kids facilities or a pool but that was fine. Also no food for kids like chips and burger but our child loved the soups, pasta and fish so again no problem.

If you are looking at the Maldives and your children are happy in the water or on the beach spending time as a family and they eat a good balanced diet you can have a great time. The island had a football table and table tennis to keep them amused also. We took a portable dvd player which our son used every evening, after his bath he watched a film before dinner and we got chance to have a glass of wine sitting on the decking, perfect end to the day. If however your children love kids clubs and need entertaining it may not be the right choice.

We stayed in a water villa and the water only came upto our sons waist. The decking could be dangerous if they fell off but so could an adult. With the water not being high they could hurt themselfs more than if it was deep and they could swim. We set the rule on day one do not walk near the edge and take care as the steps could be slippy. You have to know your child and assess the risk. Also he wears a thin life jacket even though swims very well whenever he is in the sea

Our deluxe water villa was amazing and I am so glad we paid the extra, even if it was x 3!! Why can they not have a fixed price per room, we always have to pay 3 times which is unfair, I understand AI but not for a room. However it was noisey at night and Idid not sleep well. If anyone has sleeping difficulties or may be put off by this do consider before you pay the extra, someone next to us moved out after only 1 night to a beach bungalow, in the day it was quiet but the sea level rises at night and the winds stir it up. It sounded like someone was banging a door shut all night. If you do not stay in a water villa I would go look at night, when the fish are attracted to the lights. We saw the best fish around this area and some guests staying on the beach would not know to walk down to look.

We will go back to the Maldives as it was so relaxing, even with a child. Our problem now is do we go back to Veligandu or try elsewhere, what if it is not as good, then again it could be better!!

Do also take care at any island with the sea currents, find out if the island has any and stay away. These currents are very strong and dangerous, my husband is an excellent swimmer and got into a current and had a real problem swimming out of it with our child. They had only been approx 6 foot from the beach and it took them about 20 foot further out. Does not sound a lot but he struggled. Please take care!! I have been told several islands have this problem but we were unaware before he experienced it.

Hope this helps