Katy Sunnassee took her family to Siyam World, the largest resort in the Maldives, for an activity holiday of a lifetime…

If you equate the Maldives with lying on a sun lounger doing not a lot other than dipping your toes in the water and having a relaxing time, think again. The Maldives may be synonymous with honeymoons and couples holidays but it if you head to Siyam World, it offers a wealth of activities and fun for all the family.

Siyam World, part of the larger Sun Siyam chain, is the Maldives’ largest resort offering excitement and a world full of action. There’s everything from go-karting to horse riding, and the Maldives’ first and only fixed water park. Spread across a naturally formed 54-hectare island in Noonu Atoll, and a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, Siyam World is truly vast – 4k of soft white sandy beach, 6k of reef and 470 villas across 16 categories, offering something for all budgets (and all over-water villas have a slide!). With a maximum occupancy of 1,300, it dwarfs most of the other resorts.

The island is so large that to get from one end to the other you either need your own buggy or Moke (these can be rented) or to catch one of the frequent shuttle buses (although they’re more like buggies as they’re open sided) from one of the bus stops. All named after a famous city – Tokyo, London, Paris, etc – you can also flag them down along any main route.

Head to the centre of the island and you’ll come to The World Sports Arena, which boasts a FIFA-sized football pitch and world class coaching facilities. This is where the regular football camps take place, as well as the Football Escapes ones which host a Premier League-level footballer from around the world at each camp (see page 43).

Gym-wise, there are plenty of fitness classes, parents and kids yoga, Zumbini, plus pool parties and entertainment each night to keep the energy levels high. There are courts for tennis, padel, badminton, beach volleyball, basketball and futsal, so you can play to your heart’s content.  

Those who love to speed along on land can head to the Speed Racer’s Circuit for go-karting – another first in the Maldives – where you can have the track to yourself for 20-60 minutes. Our son loved this so much we did it twice! These electric vehicles are like a cross between a small Range Rover and go-kart, and look super fun. And there’s even a horse ranch, where you can enjoy guided coastal rides at dawn or dusk. The ranch also acts as an animal sanctuary in that they house rescue birds from local islands.

Make a splash

When the heat gets a bit too much, the whole family can strip down to their swimwear and head to the Indian Ocean’s largest floating water park, Siyam Water World. This is just a short walk down the beach from Tempo restaurant and is free to use for all guests – you just need to book a time slot and then get ready for lots of splashy fun!

If you’re a bit of a speed addict, you’ll love the jet skis or perhaps the new Seabreacher, which looks like the love child of a submarine and a dolphin – it can leap and dive through the waves and can even do a 360-degree barrel roll. And we’ve all seen scenes from James Bond where he drives a car into the water and it transforms into a boat. Well, you can get close to that with the new Jet Car, which lets you speed through the water in style (it’s essentially a jet-ski for up to four people, that looks a little like a white Rolls Royce!). Other watersport activities include the Manta5 Hydrofoiler XE-1 – the world’s first hydrofoil e-bikes. Capable of speeds up to 11 knots, these emission-free, wave-riding vehicles create a completely new cycling experience on water!

If you fancy an aerial view of the island, you can take to the skies with parasailing or paramotoring. The full SSI-certified dive centre offers day and night dives, marine biology talks, snorkelling safaris and reef education programmes, with free snorkelling equipment for all guests for the duration of their stay – our son tried snorkelling for the first time and loved it!

Inside, Kidz World captivates ages three-to-12 with mindfulness and creative learning, while a lush spa offers hydro facilities and treatments along with a healthy self-service bar offering post-sport replenishment for all.

Food glorious food

With 11 restaurants and seven bars, Siyam World feeds appetites for adventure and fine dining alike. We ate breakfast at Tempo, one of the two large buffets that’s open for breakfast, lunch and evening meals if you don’t want to book an à la carte restaurant (though I can recommend the Spanish restaurant and Thai one, on a pontoon over the water, which were our favourites). Expect candle-lit buffets, overwater pavilions, themed bars like shisha swings or ‘Shipwrecked’ pizzeria boats, plus unlimited champagne and 90 wines included in the package. The all-inclusive plan covers most essentials plus two excursions per week and access to virtually all sport offerings, though special items like flourishing spa treatments or alcohol in certain restaurants may incur extra charges.

The evening shows are impressive, too – relax in style at Together, the pool/bar complex where a large stage hosts cabaret and karaoke each evening. Pool parties are also held once a week, so evening really does bring a new excitement – live shows, themed dining and movie nights galore.

If you’re after barefoot glamour and quiet solitude on a sandbank, this might feel too buzzy for you, but if you crave sun, sea, sand and action, then Siyam World is an inspired pick. We stayed for four nights and only touched on what the resort had to offer. It’s got the glam factor covered as well as wellness and adventure. If you love active holidays, with all-inclusive benefits, this is the place for you.

Football Camp with Football Escapes

One of the biggest draws for active kids is the full-sized football pitch which hosts weekly, three-day Ultimate Football Camps led by Maldivian football legend Anwar Abdul Gani. We visited in April, when it was the turn of Football Escapes to lead a football camp with former England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott. Ambassadors and former camp attendees include Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Jill Scott and Michael Owen. Children aged five-to-15 can attend up to five days of enriched training, refined technique, fast-paced drills and more – all delivered under the blistering sun, although from 9-11am it’s not too hot!

Coaches from Football Escapes and UEFA-licensed professionals joined Theo, ensuring a perfect blend of structure and fun. Young players tackled tactical drills, shooting practice, agility routines and small-sided games, all while wearing personalised kits. And then there was the highlight: a parents’ match, where mums and dads took to the pitch themselves, cheered on by their kids and spot-on commentary from Theo. My husband hadn’t played football in years, and expected it to be a five-aside affair, but it was 11-a-side and across the entire pitch – let’s just say he couldn’t walk properly for weeks!

As the camp closed under balmy tropical skies, children left not only with new skills but also with signed shirts, photos, medals and stories they’ll remember for years to come.

As Ausy Waseem, resort manager, says: ‘At Siyam World, football is more than just a sport. It’s a way to create unforgettable family moments. Kids of all ages and backgrounds light up on the pitch, and there’s real magic in seeing them play alongside legends like Rio Ferdinand, Christian Vieri and Theo Walcott.’

Ambassadors are confirmed for this October, December and next March/April, including Rio Ferdinand. Find out more at footballescapes.com