Key Takeaways
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Floating above a colourful coral reef, sunlight shimmering through clear waters, and schools of fish are like magic moments. You could experience this in the Maldives every day, and of course, if the weather permits.
If you are a marine lover, then you need to create your Maldives itinerary during the right season.
To do snorkelling in the Maldives, one must have the most transparent waters to observe marine life; for that, visit between November and April. This is the dry season in the Maldives, which brings calm seas, sunny weather, and outstanding visibility.
The Maldives’ Top Snorkelling Sites
The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most impressive coral reefs.
Whether you are exploring vibrant house reefs close to the shore or want to witness the larger marine life, you can make anything possible when snorkelling in the Maldives.
Baros Island House Reef
Baros Island’s house reef is widely regarded as one of the best snorkelling spots in the Maldives.
When entering the water, you will encounter numerous blue tangs and angelfish. Even blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are frequently seen, along with nurse sharks, known for their calm behaviour. With luck, you might also spot sea turtles, coral and eagle rays.
- Location: Baros resort, North Male Atoll, Maldives.
- Cost: The resort provides a detailed cost breakdown for the snorkelling activity; you can view it. However, you can expect to spend approximately 3,600 INR.
Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll
Hanifaru Bay is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; it is a small bay that becomes a vibrant gathering place when hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks arrive to eat plankton.
Snorkelling here is truly remarkable; manta rays glide close by, allowing you to observe their graceful movements. For a brief moment, you will be immersed in their extraordinary world.
Also, to protect the environment, visitor numbers are strictly limited, with only a select group allowed entry each day in Hanifuru Bay.
- Location: Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll.
- Cost: Excursions at resorts like Milaidhoo start at 60,000 INR.
Kandolhu Island, North Ari Atoll
Kandolhu Island is renowned for its exceptional house reef, which encircles the island in a pristine 1.3-kilometre reef. Regardless of wind conditions, there is always a sheltered, clear area ideal for snorkelling in Kandolhu Island.
The reef features striking hard coral formations and is teeming with marine life, including schools of fusiliers, moorish idols, and curious batfish. At the outer edge of the reef, it is common to encounter blacktip sharks, eagle rays, and turtles.
- Location: Kandolhu Maldives, Kandolhudhoo, North Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Cost: Starts approximately at 6,300 INR for a snorkelling excursion, but independent snorkelling at the house reef is cost-free.
Lily Beach Resort
Lily Beach Resort is designed for guests to step directly from their villa into exceptional snorkelling moments.
The reef begins in shallow water with vibrant coral gardens, then goes into deeper areas where larger marine life is seen. In the evenings, the place becomes a gathering point to observe stingrays, red snappers, and jacks during their feeding time.
- Location: Lily Beach Resort and Spa, South Ari Atoll. The resort is easily accessed via a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé.
- Cost: The resorts provide snorkelling equipment free of charge. If you are snorkeling on the house reef, there will be no charge.
HP Reef (Banana Reef), North Male Atoll
HP Reef, also known as “Rainbow Reef,” is famous for its vibrant soft corals that display a remarkable array of colours.
The underwater landscape features striking rock formations, overhangs, and swim-throughs. Visitors often encounter large schools of bannerfish moving together in impressive formations, while grey reef sharks, barracudas, and tuna can be seen patrolling the deeper waters.
Closer to the reef, you can see sweetlips and palette surgeonfish adding more colour to the scene.
- Location: North Male Atoll, HP Reef is accessible only by boat from nearby resorts.
- Cost: The typical cost for an organised trip starts at 8,900 INR.
Note: HP Reef is neither a public nor a private island. This is a publicly accessible protected marine area just 9 km from Male.
Mirihi Island, South Ari Atoll
Mirihi Island, a small island at just 350 metres across, boasts a six-kilometre house reef renowned for exceptional snorkelling experiences. With only 36 villas on the island, guests often have the opportunity to explore the reef with minimal disturbance.
The western side features a channel that regularly attracts manta rays, while coral pinnacles rise from the sandy seabed, providing shelter for snappers, sweetlips, and surgeonfish. One can easily encounter turtles, making Mirihi an excellent choice for dedicated snorkelers.
- Location: Mirihi Island Resort, accessible via a 30-minute seaplane flight.
- Cost: Accommodation includes reef access and snorkelling equipment; guided tours incur an additional charge.
Fihalhohi Island
Fihalhohi Island is an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality snorkeling experiences at a reasonable cost.
The house reef is vibrant and full of marine life, ranging from small, colorful fish to impressive nurse sharks.
The shallow areas make exploration accessible, even for less experienced swimmers. Reef sharks are frequently seen along the drop-off, while rays glide across the sandy bottom.
Early mornings and evenings offer the best opportunities to observe unique creatures, such as octopuses emerging from their hiding places.
- Location: Fihalhohi resorts, South Male Atoll, Maldives.
- Cost: If you are snorkeling on the house reef, there is no charge for excursions; contact the resort for pricing.
Maafushivalu, South Ari Atoll
Maafushivalu is renowned for its diverse coral formations. Shark sightings are common here, and if you are lucky when snorkelling ,you may even see hammerhead sharks in deeper waters.
Sea turtles are abundant, often seen grazing on seagrass and largely unfazed by human presence. The island is also near the well-known whale shark area, offering guests the chance to swim with these gentle giants during plankton season.
- Location: Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru, a 30-minute seaplane flight to South Ari Atoll.
- Approx. Cost: Guided snorkelling at House Reef: 5,400 INR, Night snorkelling:11300 INR, & Snorkel lessons: 4,500 INR.
Conclusion
The underwater experience is a paradise for marine lovers in the Maldives. Each location mentioned in the guide is a home for shark encounters at Baros, manta rays at Hanifaru Bay and many other areas for different unique chances to witness coral reefs.
Whether exploring house reefs steps away from your villa or venturing to remote atolls on guided excursions, every visitor finds their perfect underwater adventure.
Now it’s time to turn these coral fantasies into lived experiences. Book your snorkelling adventure in the Maldives today and discover the life underwater. We at Dimaak Tours cater to each of our customers’ ideas and requests, making every trip customisable and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions on Maldives Snorkeling Spots
What are the top snorkelling resorts in the Maldives?
For great house reefs for snorkeling in the Maldives, here are the best resorts and places you can consider
- Baros Maldives: Well-known for guaranteed shark and turtle sightings
- Kandolhu Island: Has a 1.3-kilometer-long circular reef
- Lily Beach Resort: Access to the reef 24/7
- Mirihi Island: 6-kilometre reef system
- Dusit Thani Maldives: Access to the UNESCO-protected bay of Hanifaru.
For a more budget-conscious traveller, visit Fihalhohi Island in South Male Atoll.
Note: When choosing among luxury resorts, prioritize those that offer marine biology teams, free guided reef excursions, and coral restoration programs.
For something with snorkelling interest, how to create a Maldives itinerary?
A well-planned Maldives snorkelling itinerary should be around 4 – 6 days minimum.
- Days 1–3: Stay at a resort that has an excellent house reef, spending the morning engaging in independent explorations and afternoons in guided excursions.
- Days 4–5: Take full-day excursions to Hanifaru Bay from July to October or whale shark snorkeling.
- Day 6: Engage in night snorkeling, join coral restoration programs, or explore additional reefs through island hopping.
Can a non-swimmer go snorkelling in the Maldives?
Yes, snorkelling in the Maldives is possible for non-swimmers with precautions. Most diving resorts in the Maldives offer lessons for beginners within shallow and regulated lagoons.
You will receive a life jacket to ensure safety, allowing non-swimmers to stay comfortably and observe marine life.
What shall I bring along for a snorkelling trip in the Maldives?
While the resorts offer you essential equipment, many prefer personal equipment to ensure proper fit. However, there are certain things to carry when packing for your trip.
- Reef-safe sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 protects skin while protecting coral ecosystems.
- Full-body rash guards prevent sunburn.
- Underwater cameras and waterproof phone cases to capture marine life.
- Water shoes to protect feet when entering from rocky shores.
- Waterproof dry bags to secure valuables.
