An Insight into Marine Conservation - Snorkeling Experience

What your day looks like

Dive or snorkel the coral nursery with local conservationists and actively contribute to their conservation effort in Villimale. You will gain an understanding of the Maldivian ecosystems and conservation challenges arising from coastal development unique to small island states. A short 10-minute ferry crossing takes us away from the hubbub of Male city to the island of Villimale. Formally a prison island and once a resort, Villimale provides a haven of tranquility for its residents many of whom commute to the capital daily. We will meet at the jetty by a member of the NGO Save the beach. Save the Beach started in 2008 as a youth movement in Vilingili (now named Villimale) to conserve the beaches in Vilingili. Save the Beach has also planted trees in and around Vilingili and organizes community activities throughout the year. A 60-minute walking tour of the island provides an insight into the conservational challenges that face an island during development by showing how Villimale’ has transformed from an island with rich biodiversity on land and in the sea, to one that is struggling to maintain its natural ecosystems. You can witness these impacts with the local conservationists during the tour and they will show you images of Villimale past as you observe the present. A presentation will be given which will cover the challenges for conservation vs development, safe snorkeling, and dive practices and provides details on how you can be involved actively at the coral nursery on the Villimale’ reef. Head to the local dive school and meet with the team who supports the reef conservation efforts. You will be shown how to perform the tasks that may be assigned to you by the dive/snorkel leader before entering the water. Once out of the water, your guide will take you to a local tea shop where you can sample traditional ‘Hedika’ traditional sweet and savory snacks served with black tea and taken between 3.00 and 5.00 pm. When it is time to leave your guide will walk with you to the ferry terminal and accompany you back to Male.