The Siren Call of Milaidhoo Maldives

Reef treasure-seekers will find more than hidden gems under the sea at Milaidhoo, they will also hear entrancing tales of fisherman navigating with stars and stories of mythical mermaids whispered on the breeze.

At Milaidhoo, ocean-lovers sink into turquoise crystal clear waters to explore one of the best snorkelling house reefs in the world. Visibility stretches 100 feet or more and the Milaidhoo Caves reveal kaleidoscope bursts of rainbow-hued reef fish and thriving coral gardens. The mysterious caves are filled with an array of dazzling corals that never cease to amaze and delight. A profusion of staghorn corals, multi-hued tube sponges, bright green and purple anemones, clusters of sea whip and pink gorgonian sea fans provide hiding spots for clownfish and sleeping moray eels.

Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Glide through drifts of Oriental sweetlips and Moorish idols, watch batfish, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays and seemingly painted Picasso triggerfish digging in the shallow lagoon sand in search of food. The reef edge, known as the Milaidhoo Wall, is covered in multi-hued soft corals and runs vertically from shallow to deep dropping off suddenly into the depths of the ocean.

The Milaidhoo house reef has a perfect Baa Atoll location, recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in nutrient-rich water which attracts megafauna and over 1,200 tropical fish and zooplankton, a natural source of coral food. In season, and if you are lucky, you may see whale sharks, easily recognisable not just for being the largest fish in the ocean, but also for their unique patterns. Trumpetfish, blacktip reef sharks, powder-blue surgeonfish, jackfish, and butterflyfish are abundant residents of our house reef.

Milaidhoo Night Snorkelling

To view even more dazzling underwater life, explore the house reef together with one of Ocean Stories team members at night. This guided nighttime snorkelling experience presents the reef in a whole new light as you will see marine life that is absent during the day. Swim amongst electric-hued corals and nocturnal predators that come alive under brilliant flashlight. Observe lionfish on the hunt, translucent jelly fish and saw-edged sting rays on reef patrol.

Day or night, snorkelling at Milaidhoo is easy and great for beginners, as you can snorkel straight from the beach or jump into the clear, warm water from the deck of your overwater villa. You also enjoy free use of snorkelling equipment during your stay.

From mid-May until September, Hanifaru Bay is a Manta Wonderland

One of the crown jewels of Baa Atoll is Hanifaru Bay, a 15-minute boat ride from Milaidhoo, renowned worldwide for being a seasonal feeding ground for manta rays. Hanifaru Bay’s unique geographic position and long and narrow shape fills up with plankton during the southwest monsoon season attracting hundreds of manta rays. The plankton is trapped in the shallow channels of Hanifaru Bay, creating a confined manta feeding station and the perfect spot to snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 960 660 7788 to plan your underwater adventure at one of the Maldives’ top snorkelling and dive resorts. For the latest news, exclusive offers, and to follow the story of our small island, subscribe to our newsletter.