Snorkel In The Stunning House Reef Of Fihalhohi Island Resort Maldives

Wednesday 3rd of May 2023

Time stands still in this paradisiacal setting where sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and the lush green vegetation constantly graces the landscape. At Fihalhohi Island Resort, Maldives guests can truly experience the real definition of an island escape, completely immersed in the natural magnificence of the island.

One of the best highlights of Fihalhohi is its house reef, just a few steps away from the shoreline. Resident to a plethora of species of marine life, guests opting for a snorkel here are in for a treat with the chance to greet vibrant schools of fish, turtles, rays and if fortunate enough mantas. In addition to the prospect of getting up close and personal with the fauna, avid snorkelers can also delight in the beautiful coral gardens here, with varieties of corals featured in the shallow depths.

Have a look at some of the sea creatures that you might encounter during a tour of the Fihalhohi house reef.

Turtles

A reigning favourite among many travelers, Maldives is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles found around the world. The two most common species that grace our waters are the Hawksbill turtle and the Green turtle, which are often sighted on the reef too. The former will be easier to spot given its distinctive hawk-like beak. Turtles are critically endangered creatures and are, therefore, highly protected by law in the Maldives so seeing one should be an honourable entry into any travel diary.

Moray Eel

Moray Eel is ranked among the largest types of eels, measuring up to 1 or 2 meters easily in size. More than 200 species of moray eels are known to exist with the majority of them seen in almost all the reefs in the Maldives. Its strikingly bold appearance usually lands it a bad reputation, on the contrary, they are considered really calm fishes. Moray Eels are fond of warmer temperatures and are found most frequently in the shallow close of the coral reeds.

Eagle Ray

Rays are pretty common in the Maldives and the Eagle ray is considered one of the most glamorous rays. It’s also referred to as the bonnet ray given its resemblance, owing to the large diamond shape body with pectoral fins pointed towards the ends. Boasting a well-defined rhomboidal shape, Eagle rays have characteristic wings that measure up to 1-2 metres in wingspan. Another way to identify these rays is based on their tails which happen to be quite long.

Unlike its counterpart species, Eagle Rays tend to roam the open ocean and can occasionally be found gliding through the water column.

Cowtail Stingray

Another member of the ray family, Cowtail Stingrays get their name from their unusual tail which contains a disc that is slightly wider than long. Some of the distinctive features of these species include their small eyes and wide interorbital space. Cowtail Stingrays can easily camouflage into their backgrounds due to their dark upper surfaces and white lower surfaces.

Dallying on the bottom of the sea floor, these species are known to be inquisitive often venturing into estuaries and freshwater bodies.

Guitarfish

A hybrid between sharks and rays, the guitarfish has a triangular head and typical shark tail which often leads to its association as a shark. The guitarfish can reach sizes of up to 3 metres and can be spotted resting on the sandy bottoms in the vicinity of coral reefs. Although classified under the ray family, they swim like sharks with lateral strokes of the tail and caudal fin.

If you happen to see a guitarfish do not panic, because they usually appear like sharks when viewed underwater for the first time. Also, most reef shark species are harmless to humans!