Top 5 Snorkeling Areas in Maldives

Considered to be the all time famous snorkeling spot in the Maldives, Vilamendhoo is home to many beautifully coloured corals and over 200 species of marine life. A dive at Vilamendhoo offers you the opportunity to witness fish such as the Napolean Wrasse, Sharks, and several different types of Butterflyfish, Unicorn Fish and Triggers. In addition to this, there many geological highlight which are sure to intrigue snorkelers. It is also located close to the Ari Atoll which is one the few spots in the world which has a high density of adolescent Whale Sharks.

Although not known to be a popular resort site, Kandolu is considered to be one of the best coral reefs of Maldives. The house reef is located just outside the mainland of the atoll, spreads from many miles making it an ideal place to spend hours snorkeling. The reef has many slopes and drops as well as a variety of corals. One can also swim along with many species of marine life, including sharks, triggers clown fish and parrot fish, and thus is a must-visit location for any diving or snorkeling enthuriast.

With its own beautiful coral reef and popular shipwreck in shallow waters, Ellaidhoo is among the top snorkeling areas in the Maldives. One can witness a diverse range of marine life ranging from fish to mollusks at this area. It also has three Protected Marine Areas which are home to many exotic species of marine life, untouched and unblemished by human contact, which is certainly one of the major highlights of Ellaidhoo. The good drop-off of Ellaidhoo is also one of the positive features which attract snorkelers.

Named as one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, Angsana Ihuru is a snorkeler's paradise. This quiet and peaceful reef is beautiful both above the water surface and beneath it. Angsana Ihuru is home to over 140 species of fish, including various wrasses and sharks. The vibrant and widespread coral life and steep drop off of this area are also some of the highlights which make it one of the top snorkeling areas of the Maldives. It is thus an ideal area to stay in if you wish to discover the secrets of Maldives' waters.

Gaafu Alifu is one of the best Southern atolls of the Maldives and is also one of the country's most popular snorkeling areas. Home to over 1,200 species of marine life, such as sea turtles, trigger fish and porcupine fish, Gaafu Alifu is a prime example of the beauty of the waters of the Maldives. With a wide variety of undisturbed coral reefs to which many diving and snorkeling schools provide daily excursions to, Gaafu Alifu is definitely a place to visit for a memorable snorkeling experience.