Diving & Snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi Maldives

This guide dives into everything you need to know about snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi Maldives and diving its surrounding waters.
All photos are captured by us, excepted for the night snorkeling.

Snorkeling around Huvafen Fushi Maldives and diving in its surrounding waters is a truly exceptional experience. The island features a stunning house reef, dramatic coral walls, and a rare duality : a vast blue lagoon on one side and rich reef life on the other. From guided night snorkeling to manta encounters during the season, the snorkeling program is immersive and diverse.
Divers, meanwhile, will find themselves just minutes away from some of North Male Atoll’s most iconic sites, including thilas, wrecks, and shark points. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned diver, Huvafen Fushi offers private courses, eco-dives with a marine biologist, and a fully equipped dive center.
Let’s dive, shall we ?

Snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Huvafen Fushi Maldives is undeniably one of the best snorkeling resorts in North Male Atoll, and this, at only 30 minutes by speedboat from Male Airport !
I love snorkeling, and when in the Maldives, I snorkel at least twice a day.
Huvafen Fushi gave me everything I love : direct access to the reef from my water villa (the lagoon side is calm – excellent fo windsurf, by the way, but of course less alive), a long house reef to drift along, and the freedom to slip into the water from my own deck stairs, not just a ladder, which is often the case elsewhere.

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Huvafen Fushi Maldives aerial view at the stunning island house reef

What will you see during snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi ?

Snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi Maldives is a dreamy experience.
You’ll encounter countless fish species : stingrays, turtles, squids, anemonefish, triggerfish, schools of reef fish swirling in formation, and blacktip reef sharks cruising along the walls.
Despite coral bleaching affecting many areas in the Maldives, Huvafen still offers beautiful coral gardens and even flourishing brain corals. There’s always something magical to observe, whether you’re snorkeling from the beach, your villa, or on an excursion further afield.

Coral garden at Huvafen Fushi Maldives. Coral reef Protection — coral garden

The resort’s house reef

HUvafen Fushi House reef towards the spa — Huvafen Fushi House reef towards the spa

Huvafen Fushi is gifted with a close-by house reef and coral walls extending along the eastern side of the island and is among the most accessible and rewarding in North Male Atoll. The reef begins just 25 meters offshore and gently descends into coral walls.
Beginners will stay inside the house reef, ie : just downstairs the Ocean Pavilion and Ocean Bungalows, for best safety, and advanced snorkelers will go outside the long walls.

The resort benefits from an excellent snorkeling with multiple points of entry.

HUvafen Fushi House reef and channels entry points

Aerial View at Huvafen Fushi’ House reef.
Several channel have been open to easily access the outside walls.

The reef begins just meters from shore and drops gently to reveal coral walls teeming with marine life. The reef is long enough to enjoy a slow drift snorkel.

HUvafen Fushi House reef around UMbar and Celsius restaurant — Huvafen Fushi House reef around UMbar and Celsius restaurant

Huvafen Fushi Resort Snorkeling Map

Note that Huvafen Fushi has the “Dreamy Duo” : one side of the island has a large blue lagoon and the other has only coral reefs.
I’ve made a small snorkeling map from one of our aerial photo so that you can have a quick look at the snorkeling options around the island.

Snorkeling Program

Here is the snorkeling program at Huvafen Fushi Maldives. It is a non-exhaustive list.
One of the highlight of the program is night snorkeling.

Night and Fluo Snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi Maldives

From dusk to dawn, the underwater world changes. Take your torch and jump directly on the resort reef with an experienced guide to (re)discover Maldives marine beauties. New colours, new species and new sceneries will appear just as the sun is beginning to set. This is the best and closest time you will get to watch the busy diurnal fishes rushing around as they head off to shelter for the night, meanwhile nocturnal fishes come out to play. This after-dark excursion allows you to witness coral feeding, glowing plankton, lobster, octopus, lionfish, and even bioluminescence using UV lighting and filtered masks, a surreal marine experience.

Besides this extraordinary adventure, you will be able to experience more thrilling options :

Guided House Reef Snorkeling
Explore the reef directly from shore with an expert guide. You’ll learn about entry/exit techniques, optimal drift zones, and the best spots to observe marine life. Guides know exactly where to find turtles, reef fish, and hidden creatures .

Coral Garden Reef Hopping and Sandbank Snorkeling Safari
Venture beyond the house reef by dhoni or speedboat. Past sightings include brain corals, vibrant coral gardens, and schooling reef fish. These trips often combine snorkeling with lunch or fishing, for a full Maldivian experience

Manta Experience ( during season )
Huvafen Fushi is close to Manta Point, one of the Maldives most famous Manta spot, in North Male Atoll.
The resort’s experienced team will explain you how to snorkel with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment without disturbing them.
Read more about Manta Rays in the Maldives.

Private Tours & Eco-Experiences
Opt for private snorkel lessons, turtle safaris led by the resident Marine Biologist, dolphin cruises, and even coral-adoption programs to contribute to reef conservation efforts.

Snorkeling in Maldives

Diving Around Huvafen Fushi

You will have plenty of opportunities to live excellent diving at Huvafen Fushi Maldives. First, because the resort is ideally located within short to medium range of some of North Male Atoll’s best diving spots, and second, because diving on the island’s house reef and coral walls is also very decent, mostly for your first dives.
Diving can be organized on board of the dive center comfortable fiber glass boats or privately on board of a superb traditional luxury dhoni.
Private courses are available for those who wish to have an exclusive diving experience with their own instructor.
Read more about Diving in North Male Atoll

The dive center

Huvafen Fushi dive center is operated by the PADI 5-Star FLOAT Dive Center, which offers both guided and private snorkeling and diving. The team offers an orientation dive followed by a second excursion aboard their classic diving dhoni—ideal for combining house reef exploration with nearby dive sites.

Diving Courses & Lessons at Huvafen Fushi

The FLOAT Diving Center offers a full range of PADI-certified courses, from beginner to pro :

Scuba Diver & Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water
Rescue Diver & Divemaster
Bubblemaker (for children 8-9 yrs), Junior Programs (10+)
Specialty courses: Nitrox, Underwater Photography, Deep, Night, Drift, and Naturalist dives
Multilingual instructors ensure tailored instruction for every guest

Dive Center Equipment & Facilities

The dive center is fully equipped with :

NRC Nitrox System
Scubapro diving gear
Sub lamps
Top-quality digital underwater cameras
Sea Bob and Water Rockets

Dive Boats and Safety

Diving excursions are conducted aboard modern fiberglass boats or a traditional luxury dhoni. Onboard safety includes :

Oxygen kits
First aid kits
Safety balloons, GPS, radios, mobile phones
Dive Valet Service for all dives

DAN Maldives insurance is also available for a small fee.

Eco-Diving

The resident Marine Biologist leads eco-dives, snorkel trips, educational presentations, and reef awareness programs. Learn to appreciate the reef beyond just its beauty.

Dive Center Equipment & Facilities

Huvafen Fushi is located in a diving area known for its shipwrecks (some of which are amongst the most exciting in the Maldives), its famous “Manta Point”, its several “Thilas” (Dhivehi name given to pinnacle reefs) and some of the Maldives top dive spots for large species. Dives are scheduled twice daily with over 20 sites to choose from, plus night dives and private excursions upon request. The area is famed for manta rays, sharks, thilas, and wrecks—a paradise for experienced divers.
Dive trips include :