My Maldives Fish Snorkeling Chart: Name that Fish!
My husband and I have snorkeled all over the world and love planning “snorkations” from Moorea to Bonaire! The Maldives has some of the best snorkeling as long as you pick a resort with an exceptional house reef. Expect to see everything from brightly colored orange clownfish to a 40,000 pound whale shark! Here are 42 examples of fish species we have seen while snorkeling. I hope my Maldives Fish Identification Chart helps you as you discover all the cool sea creatures during your underwater adventures!
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My Maldives Fish Snorkeling Chart
We are snorkelers not divers. All of my photos are from a snorkeler’s perspective. These pictures are from my personal snorkeling experiences at the following resorts:
→ Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
→ Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
I found myself looking fish up after capturing moments with my favorite underwater camera, so I decided to create my own Maldives Fish Chart. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list but rather a highlight of the most common sea life encountered. Here are the 42 fish species we saw during multiple trips to the Maldives:
BLUEFIN TREVALLY
GUINEAFOWL PUFFER
MOORISH IDOL
JUVENILE ORIENTAL SWEETLIP
ORIENTAL SWEETLIPS
BLUE SURGEONFISH
CONVICT SURGEONFISH
BLACKTAIL SURGEONFISH
LINED SURGEONFISH
REDTAIL BUTTERFLYFISH
MEYER’S BUTTERFLYFISH
SADDDLEBACK BUTTERFLYFISH
ORANGELINED TRIGGERFISH
PICASSO TRIGGERFISH
TITAN TRIGGERFISH
HUMPBACK UNICORN
GOATFISH
SCORPIONFISH
BATFISH
PARROTFISH
STONEFISH
BLUESTRIPE SNAPPER
ONESPOT SNAPPER
HUMPBACK RED SNAPPER
CLOWNFISH
CLARK’S ANEMONEFISH
FUSILIER
CHECKERBOARD WRASSE
ROYAL ANGELFISH
EMPEROR ANGELFISH
TRUMPETFISH
PAINTED ROCK LOBSTER
MORAY EEL
OCTOPUS
TURTLE
DOLPHIN
PORCUPINE RAY
EAGLE RAY
STINGRAY
BLACKTIP REEF SHARK
NURSE SHARK
WHALE SHARK
Snorkeling Packing List
To have a great snorkeling experience and capture all the amazing sea life, you need the right gear!
My husband and I have had a lot of practice testing out everything from snorkel masks to fins to snorkel vests. Do not miss my posts below to help you pack for your next Maldives getaway!
Dry vs Semi-Dry Snorkel: Which Should You Buy?
The first snorkel I ever bought was a dry snorkel, and I...
Scuba Diving vs. Snorkeling Fins: Don’t Buy the Wrong Pair!
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Full Foot vs. Open Heel Fins: Why I’ll Always Pick the Latter for Snorkeling
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3 Best Travel Towels: A Snorkeler’s Perspective
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4 Best Reef Safe Sunscreens I Tested Snorkeling the World
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Best Swim Leggings for Snorkeling: A Snorkeler’s Review
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Final Thoughts
If you are like me, you pop out of the water, and ask what was that fish?
Then you Google things like “long fish with black spots” or “fish with stripes and little nose.” I hope my personal Maldives Fish Chart helps you in the identification process.
If there are any corrections I need to make, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comment section below. Happy snorkeling!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky DIY discerning travel friend who dives deep—Google Page 20 deep—to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions—I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about my Maldives Fish Snorkeling Chart?
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