How to Snorkel in the Maldives: Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

Unsurprisingly, snorkelling is one of the most popular underwater adventures to enjoy in the Maldives. The archipelagic nation consists of 22 atolls and more than 1200 coral islands which means there’s plenty of opportunity to explore beneath the surface waters and witness the spectacular marine ecosystems and biodiversity. However, exploring the marine world is not an adventure to be taken lightly. The Maldives places great emphasis on protecting the underwater world and great care must be taken even when all you want to do is marvel at its beauty. Accordingly, the key to a good snorkelling adventure is to be adequately prepared with all the essentials before you go exploring. Here are some of the key tips and recommendations that you can follow when preparing to snorkel in the Maldives. 

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Choosing snorkelling equipment

Given that in the Maldives, things to do and see mainly revolve around underwater activities like snorkelling, you’ll likely be provided with the necessary snorkelling gear. However, if you plan on getting your own gear for frequent use, here are a few key tips to remember. 

Snorkelling mask: The best way to select a snorkelling mask is to try it on. Inhale through your nose and remove the hand that holds the mask to your face. The mask that is the right size for you will not fall. Additionally, make sure that the portholes of the mask are made of tempered glass and that the mask’s edges fit well against your face. 

Snorkelling tube: Make sure the tube is an appropriate length, Tubes that are too long will make breathing difficult, while those that are too short will be difficult to manipulate when diving.

Fins: Due to the strong currents and wind conditions in the Maldives, fins are essential in almost all snorkelling locations. Choose finds that are light and not too long so that they do not weigh you down. 

What You Will Encounter

One of the prime reasons why Maldives is popular for snorkelling is its abundance of marine life. There are plenty of species that you will encounter on your snorkelling expedition.

Turtles: Despite them being endangered, there are plenty of sea turtles that you’ll encounter especially in the Lhaviyani Atoll. The largest Green Sea turtles can be found at Kuredu Caves, while Hawksbill turtles can be found at Turtle Rock.

Rays: There are rays of various shapes and sizes in the Maldivian waters. These include eagle rays and manta rays that you’ll see gracefully gliding by.

Fish: There is a vibrant array of brightly coloured fish that inhabit the waters, These include blue-striped snappers, bright clownfish, delicate-looking butterfly fish and the imposing Napolean wrasse. 

Sharks: Snorkellers often encounter black-tip reef sharks as well as nurse sharks, and leopard sharks in the Maldives. You might also be lucky to witness the mesmerising whale sharks with their iconic patterns of spots and stripes.

Tips for Responsible Snorkelling

While snorkelling may seem quite harmless there are several ways in which one could inadvertently cause harm to these magnificent environments and their inhabitants. If you are part of a snorkelling expedition through a resort such as Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, you will likely be briefed on several safety measures. If not, here are a few tips to keep in mind;

• Avoid touching, standing on or riding any of the marine life. These creatures are not domesticated and can easily be injured by physical touch or any intense physical interaction.
• Keep off the ocean floor and make sure that your fins do not disturb the sand, silt or coral as there are likely stingrays, eels and other animals that reside in these areas. 
• Avoid touching coral at all times as coral protection and conservation is taken quite seriously in the Maldives. Some corals grow only around 2 centimetres for a year and accidentally damaging them could lose around 50-100 years of coral growth.
• Avoid feeding any of the marine animals. These creatures already have their established eating patterns and habits and 

Essential Safety Protocols

While protecting marine ecosystems is of great importance when snorkelling, ensuring your safety and health is crucial to having a great underwater adventure. Make sure to follow these essential safety tips and precautions for a memorable experience:

• Make sure to use fins when snorkelling in the event you need to navigate strong ocean currents
• Avoid snorkelling alone. Instead, go with friends and family or try joining another group of snorkellers for added safety.
• Wear sun protection as the sun can be quite strong during the day. However, make sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen to avoid damaging the marine ecosystems.
• Avoid straying too far from the shore and ensure that your feet can always touch the bottom.