Best resorts in The Maldives for snorkeling
The Maldives is a top holiday destination for sun and sea lovers that offers everything you need for a perfect tropical holiday. This best resorts in The Maldives for snorkeling guide tells you what islands offer not only powdery white sandy beaches but also vibrant coral reefs where you can observe various marine species including tropical fish, turtles and sharks . If this destination is on your bucket list, here you get tons of ideas where to head to find the best conditions to discover the Indian Ocean’s underwater life!
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Bandos Maldives Resort
Turquoise lagoons, green vegetation, pearl white beaches – Bandos has a lot to offer for those who are ready for a Maldives snorkeling holiday. Located on the North Male Atoll, only 7 km from Malé airport, Bandos is a great place for shorter winter sun holidays too.
Bandos Maldives Resort is waiting for you with comfortable rooms in all categories (classic, standard, deluxe rooms, and different villas). This 4-star resort is proud to have a stunning house reef where you can see the most common Maldivian reef fish like wrasses, parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, but can spot octopus and sometimes manta rays as well.
With an easy swim to the drop-off, you can meet the resident blacktip reef sharks too. Are you looking for the best Maldives resort for snorkeling, then make sure that Bandos Resort is on your list!
Tip: If you find resort islands pricey read how to visit Maldives on a budget!
Angaga Island Resort and Spa
The small resort island of Angaga is known for featuring one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, therefore it is popular among travelers. Despite its popularity and the fact that it is reachable by seaplane only, Angaga still remains affordable.
The house reef of Angaga Island is easily reachable through designated passages and offers safe conditions for snorkelers at all levels as there are no great depths or strong currents. With plenty of newly grown corals and a wide variety of fish, turtles, eagle rays, reef and nurse sharks around, it is definitely one of the best choices to go snorkeling in the Maldives.
Embudu Village Resort
Located just about a 20-minute speedboat ride from Male, Embudu Village is my top recommendation for those who do not want to spend a lot of money on seaplane journeys and look for a snorkeling resort with close proximity to Velena Airport.
Many people think wrongly that islands close to Male are not worth visiting as their house reefs are totally ruined, but this is completely wrong if it comes to this island. Snorkeling at Embudu provides visitors with the opportunity of observing all the common Maldivian marine species including rays, turtles and reef sharks, and thanks to the fresh currents arriving from the open ocean that reach the island’s eastern corner, often bigger animals can be seen around this budget-friendly Maldives snorkeling resort.
Baros Maldives Resort
Although the Maldives consists of more than a thousand islands in 26 atolls, not all of them are coral islands meaning not all have coral around. Therefore if you are looking for the best resorts in The Maldives for snorkeling, make sure that the place you choose features a house reef where you can observe the colorful marine life of the Indian Ocean’s best coral reefs!
The island of Baros Maldives is one of those places that is proud to offer ideal conditions for snorkelers. It is easy to reach but private enough for an active Maldives snorkeling holiday. It lies in the central-southern part of the North Male Atoll, only 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport.
Baros Maldives offers a stunning coral reef with spectacular marine life around. Big schools of tropical fish, reef sharks, turtles are guaranteed to see! You can explore shallow coral gardens on your own or join guided snorkeling trips.
The best snorkeling resorts in The Maldives take care of their coral reefs! On Baros Island, a team of experienced marine biologists is working hard to keep the reefs healthy. You also can join their awareness program and learn more about local marine life as well as get tips on how to help to protect this stunning world!
Biyadhoo Island Resort
The best Maldives resorts for snorkeling are not necessarily the most expensive ones! Just 30 minutes from Malé by speedboat, the tropical island of Biyadhoo in the south Male Atoll offers you simple accommodation but breath-taking beauty.
Biyadhoo is blessed with lush vegetation, a perfect beach such as an excellent house reef. Napoleon wrasses, eagle rays and huge school of fish will entertain you while snorkeling. The lucky ones might see dolphins and manta rays as well.
Biyadhoo is popular among snorkeling enthusiasts who would like to enjoy the Maldivian style at reasonable prices. Check out our photos and videos in our Biyadhoo Island Resort review!
Centara Grand Island Resort
The beautiful Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa on the lush island of Machchafushi within the South Ari Atoll offers a luxurious 5-star experience. Centara Grand Resort is a real gem if it comes to the best snorkeling Maldives resorts. The world-class house reef is home to diverse marine life and you find even a sunken shipwreck too!
The hotel is awarded with Green Fins certification. It is a project of the United Nations Environment Programme and Reef-World Foundation and means the resort supports responsible diving and snorkeling. Thanks to their efforts, the stunning house reef is full of fish, turtles and reef sharks! Snorkeling around Machchafushi is like swimming in a tropical fish tank!
Constance Moofushi Resort
The house reef of Moofushi is so stunning that you will easily end up every time snorkeling even though there are plenty of other activities available! Incredible seascape with plenty of fish, you will feel yourself like in Finding Nemo with Nemos and Dorys everywhere! Turtles and reef sharks also daily visitors around.
This island within the South Ari Atoll is a jewel of the Indian Ocean! The perfect combination of luxury and simplicity where everything is taken care of. The Constance Moofushi is a resort with a soul where you can enjoy carefree days and abundant sea life.
Fihalhohi Island Resort
A perfect choice for a Maldives snorkeling holiday is Fihalhohi that is the absolute paradise escape! A truly idyllic spot where you can forget your everyday life and let your mind and body relax.
The stunning coral reef is teeming with vibrant marine life. Sharks, rays, eels, octopus, and turtles can be spotted even in shallow waters. Easy to swim out to the drop off as well. The Fihalhohi Resort is a beautiful beachfront property. You can stay in romantic water bungalows or in comfortable rooms at affordable prices.
Fihalhohi is just few kilometers away from Male in the South Male Atoll. The great value for money makes Fihalhohi one of the best resorts in The Maldives for snorkeling!
Filitheyo Island Resort
This heavenly island in the Faafu Atoll offers top service, fantastic food, and excellent snorkeling! These words describe Filitheyo Island Resort the best!
The beaches of Filitheyo are dressed in white sand that is soft like velvet, while corals are colorful like a rainbow. The more than 700 meters long coral reef will keep you busy snorkeling. The underneath life is just amazing! Shoals of tropical fish plus turtles, sharks, moray eels and even dolphins can be spotted if you are lucky!
Offering an idyllic setting to relax and snorkel in the Indian Ocean, Filitheyo Resort must be on the best Maldives snorkeling resorts top list! Designed for sun and sea lovers, for those who want to enjoy the abundant sea life and luxurious treatment.
Mirihi Island Resort
Luxury as it should be! Combining modern and traditional elements, this small tropical paradise is waiting for you with extraordinary service and with a coral reef that surpasses all others. Located in the heart of South Ari Atoll, Mirihi is the smallest but finest one of the best Maldives snorkeling resorts.
Waking up with the fish, turtles, reef sharks, rays, swimming amongst angle and butterflyfish is the way how you spend your time here. The marine life is abundant and lively. If you are seeking a chill-out experience with caring staff and superb snorkeling, Mirihi Resort is the place to stay!
Vilamendhoo Island Resort
The island of Vilamendhoo in South Ari Atoll is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and long stretches of white, sandy beaches. If you are looking for a great family resort, excellent house reef, snorkeling with mantas and whale sharks, Vilamendhoo offers it all.
Not only the amazing snorkeling but the quality of customer service makes Vilamendhoo Island Resort one of the best snorkeling Maldives resorts.
Sandies Bathala
Bathala is a tru gem in the North Ari Atoll! One of the only 12 islands left with 100% barrier reef, a well-kept treasure, a simple but pure paradise for snorkelers.
Bathala’s vibrant house reef is visited by grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, eagle and manta rays. The whole island is designed for snorkeling and diving. There are six entry and exit points for direct access from the spectacular white sand beach.
It is a charming tropical island where adventurous travelers could revel in the natural beauty and have a wonderful barefoot holiday. The Sandies Bathala Resort offers comfortable villas open out onto the powdery white sand beach. Within seconds, you reach the turquoise lagoon where you find yourself surrounded by shoaling fish. Excellent value for money!
VOI Maayafushi Resort
Maayafushi has the WOW factor, a real paradise on earth! In the northern part of the Ari Atoll, this dreamy island is surrounded by white sandy beaches and crystal clear water and a house reef filled with colored fauna.
Maayafushi is known to have one of the best and healthy corals in among the best resorts in The Maldives for snorkeling where reef sharks and different ray species can be found. The VOI Maayafushi Resort has Maldivian style bungalows and water villas with direct access to amazing house reef.
A perfect place for an unforgettable Maldives snorkeling holiday! Maayafushi offers a dream holiday to anyone loving nature as its best above and under the surface as well!
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