Diving & Snorkeling at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

This guide dives into everything you need to know about diving and snorkeling at Gili Lankanfushi, including the house reef, coral restoration project, top dive sites, courses, and eco-initiatives.

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While Gili Lankanfushi undeniably offers snorkeling and diving as key activities, the beautiful luxury resort is not a “snorkeling resort” in the traditional sense.

Diving in my coral garden in front of my villa at Gili Lankanfushi

Some resorts in the Maldives are specifically famous for having an incredible, easily accessible house reef directly from the beach or villa steps.
Resorts we know, like Baros Maldives , W Maldives or Anantara Kihavah are often cited as having a “world-class house reef” where the best snorkeling is immediately available. Gili Lankanfushi’s house reef is often described as “light” or “average” for the Maldives, with the real attraction being the diving and snorkeling excursions to nearby, more spectacular sites.

Snorkeling at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

A Giant Lagoon, But Not a Classic Snorkeling Island
Snorkeling is not the main asset of Gili Lankanfushi. The resort is gifted with one of the largest lagoons in Maldives, which means — as with most islands with vast lagoons — the best snorkeling spots lie further out from the shore.

blue, and blue only…

Water Villa with lagoon view at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. © Dreaming of Maldives

An ideal snorkeling for Beginners and First-Timers
Beginner snorkelers and children will surely enjoy the beautiful shallow waters directly from their water villas. It’s a gentle and safe way to discover Maldives magical underwater world. Snorkeling equipment is provided for free.

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Below, in the photo, you can see my son and his father snorkeling right off our villa at Gili Lankanfushi.
Don’t be misled by the shallow waters : even there, children require extra attention when snorkeling, for basic reasons and also to prevent them to touch anything or to walk on corals — they cut, and yes, they are alive and fragile.
A snorkeling vest is also strongly recommended.

child snorkeling down water villa at Gili Lankanfushi. — Here my son and his father snorkeling down our villa at Gili Lankanfushi.

Gili Lankanfushi’s House Reef and Coral gardens

Gili’s coral gardens are a perfect place to initiate yourself to the pleasure of snorkeling. Carefully nurtured over the past few years by the island’s resident biologist, the garden is full of small reef fish. Some growing coral formations can even be spotted just a few steps from your villa deck.

coral gardens gili lankanfushi beautiful corals — Coral garden in front of a Villa at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Where to Snorkel Around the Island ?

While Gili Lankanfushi is surrounded by beautifully clear waters, quality snorkeling is not immediately accessible from the beach or villas. You’ll need to swim about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the closest reefs — their location is visible on the resort snorkeling map below.

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives Resort and Water Villas

Gili Lankanfushi’s Snorkeling Map

Take a look at Gili Lankanfushi’s snorkeling map for a better understanding of the island’s surrounding reef and the best zones to explore.

where to snorkel around Gili Lankanfushi. Map of The Snorkeling Spots. © Dreaming of Maldives

Don’t feel like swimming ?
The resort also offers guided snorkeling excursions to the best reefs around the atoll.
Plus, your Mr/Ms Friday (private butler) will happily point you to the best snorkeling spot of the day, depending on winds and currents.

Snorkeling in Maldives

The Coral Lines Project – A Unique Concept in Maldives

coral line project Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. © Gili Lankanfushi Marine Center

Launched in 2010, the Coral Lines Project was the first reef rehabilitation program in the Maldives, designed to grow corals and replant them back into the ocean.
The initiative, the result of years of dedicated scientific research led with passion and perseverance by Gili Lankanfushi’s marine biologist Vaidas Kirsys, has enabled the growth and restoration of hundreds of new corals around the island.

Using only natural rope (avoiding any polluting materials), this inspiring project has paved the way for worldwide scientific cooperation through an online network.
During your stay at Gili Lankanfushi, you can witness coral care firsthand and learn more by attending the weekly presentations given by the island’s marine biologists.

Note : Vaidas has since returned to his home country, but his successors continue to nurture and grow new corals with the same dedication.

Diving at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Gili Lankanfushi is ideally located in North Malé Atoll, a renowned diving area famous for :

Spectacular shipwrecks
Manta Point
Numerous thilas (pinnacle reefs)
Big species like reef sharks and rays

Over 20 local dive sites and 6 Safari dive locations are accessible directly from the resort.

Diving Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
North Malé Atoll Manta Point — Diving at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives – Manta Point – North Malé Atoll

Good to know before diving at Gili Lankanfushi

All divers are required to hold an international diving license and a logbook.

Orientation dives & insurance

An orientation dive is mandatory, unless you have logged a dive within the past three months in the Maldives or at another Ocean Paradise center. A short skills check will be requested.

After this test, you will be guided around the reef to discover the local marine life.

Eco Dive Center Credentials

Gili Lankanfushi houses the first certified Eco Dive Centre in Maldives. In 2012, it was awarded the PADI Green Star Award and later certified by Green Fins, an organization supporting eco-friendly diving across Asia.

The center is equipped with:

Multilingual instructors (English, French, Japanese)
The latest Mares diving gear
A 15-meter luxury dive dhoni
A marine biology station

Diving in Maldives

Diving Courses & Lessons at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

At the resort dive centre, all levels of PADI courses are available, from beginner to advanced :

Private courses available on request
Discover Scuba Diving
Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water
Rescue Diver
Dive Master
Specialty courses: Nitrox, wreck diving, underwater photography, bio-fluorescence night dive, and more
Bubblemaker (8–9 years old)

Dive Center Equipment & Facilities

Included in all dives:

Tank & belt
Mask, snorkel, fins
BCD, regulator, depth gauge
Dive computer, wetsuit, weights

Available for rental:

GoPro and underwater cameras
Nitrox
Night Dive Fluo gear
DPV (with certification)

Gili Lankanfushi’s Dive Boats & Safety

Gili’s modern dive dhoni is fully geared for comfort and safety:

Navigation systems
Oxygen and first-aid kits
Relaxation deck with cushions
GPS and radio communication
Onboard refreshments

Daily Dive Schedule

2 boat dives per day to different reefs
2 house reef dives daily
Half-day and full-day trips by speedboat
Night dives and private diving on request

Orientation Dives & Insurance

Before diving, all guests must:

Hold an international diving license and logbook
Complete an orientation dive unless they’ve logged a dive in the past 3 months
Demonstrate 4 core skills (regulator recovery, mask clearing, neutral buoyancy, alternate air source breathing)
Diving insurance is mandatory. Short-term coverage can be purchased at the dive center.