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Snorkeling in Maldives

Snorkeling in Maldives

Owing to the archipelago’s calm and clear waters with pleasant temperatures and excellent visibility, snorkeling in Maldives is considered to be an unparalleled experience. Packed with 26 atolls and over 1200 islands, most of which tend to be encircled by exuberant reefs teeming colourful marine creatures, Maldives pledges to offer the adrenaline junkies excellent destinations to swim with their underwater companions.

The island nation has a flamboyant diversity of aquatic life with spectacular reefs boasting blooming corals and more than 2,000 unique fish species, starting from the small reef fish to the huge reef sharks. You can also go lucky to spot other beautiful creatures such as moray eels, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and stingrays while on your Maldives snorkeling tour.

Maldives also houses a plethora of splendid seaside resorts that offer snorkeling as a top recreational activity for their guests. Most of these resorts lie on various islands, which are encircled by breathtaking reefs that snorkelers can easily go explore.

These islands have innumerable sites in store for you to choose from and begin with your snorkeling expedition. Furthermore, these sites are suitable for swimmers as well as non-swimmers to go down and have a lifetime worth experience.
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Maldives Snorkeling FAQs

Which are the best places to snorkel in Maldives?

1. Banana Reef: Named after its banana-like shape, Banana Reef shelters some amazing marine creatures. Lying in North Male Atoll, this place brims with umpteen varieties of aquatic animals including Palette Surgeonfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, barracudas, soldierfish, grub fish, black snapper fish, and bannerfish.

The presence of such beautiful corals and fish species make Banana Reef the most exotic hub for snorkeling in Maldives and let you enjoy a dreamy swim with your spectacular aquatic companions.

2. Baros Maldives: Lying in Male Atoll, Baros Maldives is a reputed 5-star resort and an excellent Maldives snorkeling destination owing to its huge house reef. Extending up to a length of around 4 kilometers, the house reef makes Baros a great habitat for aquatic creatures. The house reef can be accessed easily from the water villas or the island itself.

While you snorkel here, you can see the shallow coral gardens and huge schools of turtles, reef sharks, and tropical fish. The island’s western part features an azure blue area that makes for the perfect site for watching the manta rays closely. 

3. Bandos Maldives : Packed with pearl white beaches and turquoise lagoons, Bandos is an upmarket island resort that makes for a serene and tranquil destination to experience snorkeling in Maldives.

This opulent 4-star resort has a charming house reef, which is home to beautiful tropical fishes such as clown fish, parrot fish, wrasses, and angel fish. In addition to these marine species, the snorkelers can also spot other unique aquatic creatures here including manta rays, octopus, and blacktip reef sharks. 

4. Six Senses: Lying in the Laamu Atoll, Six Senses is a slice of paradise dotted with tall palm trees and surrounded by an alluring coral garden and house reef, which makes it the best place to snorkel in Maldives.

The blooming coral reefs at this site are impressively colourful and rich in marine life. You will find on-site marine biologist and snorkel instructors, who can help you with every information you need about the sport as well as the marine creatures you will spot there in the course of your snorkeling trip.

5. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi Maldives: Nestled on Meradhoo Island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi is a luxury resort, flaunting palm-fringed beaches and gin-clear waters. A 0.5 miles stretch of the shimmering sea separates the resort’s two hideaways, encircled by a 2.5-mile enchanting house reef, which brims with umpteen varieties of marine creatures including fish and turtles.

Led by their in-house marine biologist, here you can explore some of the largest and rarest coral reefs of the world and get closer to a plethora of colourfully alluring marine creatures. You can also get important information about reef preservation and their reef-cleaning program.

6. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas: Lying on the periphery of Hanifaru Bay, in Baa Atoll, Anantara Kihavah is a tropical paradise that not only offers you the best underwater experience, but also makes a treat for your eyes. This place is an award-winning snorkeling destination and has bountiful marine life in its exotic house reef.

This place even has a team of professional divers as well as a resident marine biologist to help you make your snorkeling experience even better. Nestled within a World Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO, the waters surrounding Anantara Kihavah shelter colourful corals, pristine reefs, reef sharks, turtles, nurse sharks, eels, stingrays, manta rays, and eagle rays. 

7. Mirihi Island: Placed like a small pearl in the vast Indian Ocean, Mirihi Island boasts a spellbinding house reef of 6 kilometers. The reef sits significantly close from all parts of this island. You can march down from the main jetty and follow the direction of the water current.

Mirihi Island is a famous destination for spotting Manta Rays and you are guaranteed to encounter a huge school of these aquatic creatures while you snorkel here. There is also a blue stretch on this island’s western side, which is encircled by flamboyant house reef.

8. Lily Beach Resort Maldives: Perched in the heart of the South Ari Atoll, Lily Beach is adorned beautifully with an exuberant house reef extending up to 3 kilometers in length. The island offers you easy and quick access to the beautiful reef and the water villas here also have stairs that let you go down and reach the reefs in a few minutes. 

The coral houses a plethora of small fish that you can spot right from the jetty. Late in the evening, fish feeding takes place here during which you can easily spot large stingrays, red snapper, and jack fish. 

9. Kandolhu Maldives: Known as the Indian Ocean’s hidden gem, Kandolhu Island is home to a total of 30 villas and a lively house reef of 1.3 kilometers. Set surrounding the circular island, the reef is twice the size of the island.

The water of the lagoon is crystal clear and you can get down the water villa stairs and spot small fishes. You can also find a plethora of friendly turtles at the drop off. The snorkeling in Maldives price at Kandolhu Island is also comparatively cheaper, making the experience light on the pocket of the snorkelers.  

10. Reethi Beach: Literally meaning “nice beach”, Reethi Beach is a spectacular white sand beach nestled in the Baa Atoll. The eastern side of this beach is a lagoon, which descends into the deep blue sea. The awe-inspiring 3 kilometers long house reef here, starts from the island’s south west part and runs towards the east.

This reef boasts umpteen varieties of stunning marine species, including barracudas, eagle rays, batfishes, fusiliers, moray eels, octopus, turtles, and lobsters, most of which you can easily spot during your snorkeling tour.

Which is the best island in Maldives for snorkeling?

1. Fihalhohi Island: Flaunting fresh coral reefs, and bustling marine life, Fihalhohi Island makes for the most flamboyant and best place to snorkel in Maldives. Swimming here is absolutely easy and as you snorkel you are guaranteed to spot turtles, eels, rays, octopus, and sharks.

2. Filitheyo Island: Lying in Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo Island features a blooming rainbow-coloured coral reef of over 700 meters. The underwater world here boasts shoals of sharks, turtles, and moray eels.

3. Mirihi Island: Known as the smallest and finest Maldives snorkeling destination, Mirihi Island lets you swim with butterfly fish, angelfish, turtles, rays, and reef sharks.

Is snorkeling safe in Maldives?

Yes, snorkeling in Maldives is absolutely safe for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Since Maldives is one of the top snorkeling destinations in the world, you can find well-trained and experienced snorkel experts here, who can guide you for a better experience in the waters.

Furthermore, you will be supplied with premium quality safety gears that will never let things go wrong.

What makes Maldives famous for snorkelling?

There are a number of critical factors that combine to make Maldives an ideal snorkeling destination, including:
- Excellent visibility
- Secluded locations
- Diverse marine creatures
- Suitable for snorkelers of all expertise levels.

How much does snorkeling cost in Maldives?

The snorkeling in Maldives generally starts from INR 570 per head. However, the cost may vary on the basis of the place you choose to snorkel at and the duration for which you want to enjoy the activity.

Which Maldives resort has the best house reef?

Some of the popular Maldives resort that boast the most enchanting house reef are:
- Lily Beach Resort and Spa in Ari Atoll
- W Maldives
- Robinson Club Maldives in Gaafu Atoll
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Safari Island in North Ari Atoll
- Hurawalhi Island Resort
- Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.

Which season is best for snorkeling in Maldives?

The best time to snorkel Maldives is during the months of January and April. During this period of the year, the water remains comparatively cleaner and the weather is significantly pleasant, which tend to be crucial parameters for enjoying the best Maldives snorkeling experience.

Does snorkeling in Maldives require you to be a swimmer?

No, Maldives snorkeling does not require you to be a swimmer. Non-swimmers can easily and safely enjoy snorkeling in this island nation with the help of the guidance of the experienced professional instructors available at the various snorkel sites.

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