Snorkelling Day Trips from Malé & Hulhumalé
Private guide · All gear included · Turtles, reef sharks & coral
Where is the best snorkelling near Malé?
Some of the best snorkelling near Malé sits within 20 minutes of Hulhumalé: the reefs of North and South Malé Atoll offer turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays and dense coral heads in 2–8 m of clear water. Day Charter Maldives runs private snorkel trips with all gear included from 💬 WhatsApp for price per group.
Reef by reef.
Turtle reef
Green and hawksbill turtles rest on the coral heads and cruise past in 2–5 m. The most reliably encountered large marine animal near Malé.
Coral garden
Dense staghorn and brain coral in 3–8 m — parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and moray eels in every crevice. Excellent for photographs.
Channel drop-off
The atoll channel edge where reef gives way to deep blue. White-tip reef sharks patrol the drop-off; eagle rays cruise below.
Visibility by season
| Season | Visibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Apr (dry) | 20–30 m+ | Best conditions; calm, clear, sunny |
| May – Jul (transition) | 15–25 m | Good; occasional plankton blooms attract mantas |
| Aug – Oct (wet) | 10–20 m | Variable; sheltered reefs stay clear |
| Nov (transition) | 15–25 m | Improving; often excellent |
Choose your trip.
Snorkel Express
- One reef snorkel
- Masks, fins & vests
- Cold drinks
Two-Reef Snorkel
- Two different reef sites
- Snorkelling gear
- Sandbank swim stop
- Towels & drinks
Snorkel & Sandbank Full Day
- Three reef stops
- Private sandbank
- Dolphin cruise
- Lunch aboard
No experience needed.
All snorkel trips start at shallow, calm reef edges in 1–3 m of clear water. The guide enters the water with the group and stays close throughout. Life vests are available — many guests wear them for additional buoyancy, not just safety. You choose how deep you go and how long you stay in.
The water temperature is 28–30 °C year-round — no wetsuit needed. Prescription masks are available on request; let us know your prescription when booking.
Your boat: the Saxdor 400 GTC
Day Charter Maldives offers private day charters aboard a Saxdor 400 GTC — a 12.5-metre Scandinavian-designed sports yacht carrying up to 12 guests at up to 40 knots, with an enclosed air-conditioned cabin, bow sunpads and a wide swim platform. It departs Hulhumalé, 10 minutes from Malé airport.
Everything you need to know.
Absolutely. Our reef stops begin at shallow, calm edges in 1–3 m of water. The guide is in the water with the group at all times. Life vests and buoyancy aids are available. If you can float on your front and breathe through a tube, you can snorkel here.
Green and hawksbill turtles, white-tip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, moray eels, parrotfish, lionfish, clownfish, and hundreds of reef fish species — all within 20 minutes of Hulhumalé. For whale sharks, see our whale shark page.
Yes — masks, fins and life vests for every guest are on board. The gear is cleaned between charters. If you have your own mask and prefer to use it, bring it.
28–30 °C year-round. No wetsuit is needed. The warmth is one of the many reasons Maldivian reefs are so biodiverse — wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and the coral.
Morning — typically 08:00–12:00 — for the calmest seas, best visibility and most active marine life. Afternoon snorkelling is also good but can have slightly more boat traffic on popular reefs.
We carry a selection of prescription-strength masks. Send us your prescription on WhatsApp before the trip and we'll check what we have available.
Check availability for your dates
Tell us your date, group size and what you have in mind. We reply with the right options and a transparent price — no obligation.
