Amongst the most popular water sports in Maldives, snorkelling can be enjoyed by the entire family and here’s what you need to know about this exciting activity.
Ideal Locations
While there are 26 atolls with numerous islands here, some destinations stand out for snorkelling; these include the South Male and North Male Atolls as well as the Raa Atoll, home to diverse marine and coral species. You will also find some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Maldives at such atolls with packages that feature complimentary snorkelling excursions.
The Right Resort
When choosing a resort, consider one that has a house reef and / or is near plenty of reefs to explore. These include the private island properties of Adaaran Resorts which offer the needed snorkelling lessons and equipment as well as excursions; you can even enjoy night snorkelling which offers a whole new underwater perspective!
Amazing Encounters
The sheer diversity of marine life here is astounding, while kids will love getting the chance to spot their favourite characters from movies like “Finding Nemo”! Apart from Nemo (clownfish) and Dory (palette surgeonfish), one can encounter manta rays, turtles, bannerfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, soldierfish, triggerfish, oriental sweetlips and more.
Best Periods
While you can enjoy snorkelling the whole year through, generally, the best period is the peak season from November to April; the weather will be at its best and the sea is calm and clear too. That said, in some areas, the off-peak season is the optical time such as Hanifaru Bay in the Baa Atoll where you can snorkel amidst manta rays from June to November.
