Maldives snorkelling cruises

Our Maldives snorkel cruises – liveaboard experiences where you travel from snorkelling spot to snorkelling spot on a small ship – elevate the humble tube in the mouth into a tool for conservation and wildlife watching. Travelling on a boat with marine experts, representatives from conservation charities, and researchers, you’re swimming in the name of science.

Ruth Franklin, founder of Secret Paradise, our local partner in the Maldives, describes their first conservation cruise itinerary: “We had someone from Maldives Whale Shark Research on board, and someone from Maldives Resilient Reefs who advocate for seagrass protection also joined us. We did data collection on whale sharks. The guests saw manta rays, they did a beach clean, there was lots of snorkelling.” The trip was such a success that they now run many conservation snorkelling cruises, focused on different sea life – though you never know what will surface.

It’s satisfying, knowing that your findings below the waves can help scientists. “People are surprised by how much science they can actually participate in without any prior experience,” says Tam Sawers, project leader for the Manta Trust. Snorkellers can learn to recognise individual manta rays, take pictures and log their findings.

There’s plenty of opportunity for getting in the water – and marine life at all hours. “There was a whale shark feeding at the side of the boat at 3am!” says our traveller Tricia Thompson in her review. “You don't get that staying in a resort.”

Some cruises also include night snorkelling: while fish sleep (and parrotfish tuck themselves up in odd, protective mucus bubbles) – eels and rays, octopus, lobster and starfish head out to hunt. Night snorkels need to be undertaken with care, and with a guide – not because they are dangerous (though they are disconcerting) but because there’s a higher chance of damaging the reef in the darkness.

The Maldives reef system needs our help. “Part of our welcome pack highlights that coral bleaching has happened,” says Ruth. “Different parts of the Maldives have reefs in various conditions.”

Coral bleaching – where coral is damaged due to environmental stressors like rising sea temperatures – is an increasing phenomenon across the world and tends to happen during warm El Nino years.

“On some tours we only have access to reefs in good conditions – on others there may be reefs in recovery,” says Ruth. Travellers can snorkel in coral nurseries, find out how more resilient reefs are being grown, and maybe even plant coral. They’ll also learn to love seagrass – the unassuming plant that’s essential for marine life – and learn about invasive species.

Whilst nearly anyone can snorkel, there’s a responsible way to do it. Our responsible snorkelling providers will brief guests before they head out, so that reef and guest remain safe. Briefings cover the importance of wearing suncream that won’t harm the environment, of not touching anything, and even of being careful about picking up litter – in case you disturb wildlife that has made it a home. You shouldn't feed fish in order to snorkel with them, as this can affect their behaviours. The Green Fins initiative aims to protect marine life, in part through providing codes of conduct for snorkelling.

Ub Waseem, a senior guide for our partner in the Maldives, knows the importance of giving advice. “Visitors will only step on the coral if the guide that they have does not brief them appropriately,” says Ub. “We do all sorts of briefings to avoid guests unconsciously doing something. And we offer advice to them if they are not confident swimmers – a buoyancy aid in case they get tired, for instance, will help stop them stepping on coral.”

As well as protecting the reef, you should protect yourself. Many an unsuspecting snorkeller is so busy turtle-watching, they forget that their back is exposed to the sun. “Bring long sleeves,” says our traveller Juliet Bulman. “The sun is intense.”

Done responsibly, snorkelling can sometimes have the edge on diving. It’s cheaper, easier and quicker: if a whale shark is sighted, you’re free and flexible and ready to slip into the water at a moment’s notice. Whilst diving needs a qualification – which takes a few days to attain, snorkelling has very few barriers to entry. You get the sun on your back and you can easily communicate: just stick your head out of the water again.

There’s some evidence that snorkelling can be less obtrusive for wildlife, too. You stay up on the surface, giving marine life plenty of space, and plenty of escape routes back down and away.

While divers are more likely to see animals interacting in deeper water – like manta rays at cleaning stations – snorkellers in the Maldives can catch whale sharks feeding at the surface and turtles surfacing: now that’s totally tubular, dude.