Fishing
More than 99 per cent of the total area of the Maldives is made up of water. So it comes as no surprise that the country has some of the best fishing grounds in the world. Maldives is blessed with over a thousand species of fish, some of which are indigenous to the Maldives such as the Maldives clown fish. Maldivians as a race have been fishing people since time immemorial. Most of the resorts here can guide you to the best fishing spots around.

The methods of fishing vary depending on the type of fish and the time of the day. A definite hit with the tourists seems to be night fishing for groupers, snappers, emperors, jacks, squirrel fish, barracuda and other reel fish. The catch normally ends with an exquisite barbecue dinner on the beach. But if you are the type who believes the early bird catches the worm or should I say fish, morning fishing is tailor made for you.

Morning fishing trips begin in the early hours of the morning for little tuna, dolphin fish, rainbow runner, jack, trevally and barracuda. These trips often become as engaging as big game fishing. Big game fishing is an upmarket option at some resorts, but there is a 'tag and release' policy, so you can't keep your catch. A dhoni is used for fishing, inside the atoll or just outside the atoll enclosure reef. For big game such as sail-fish, sword-fish, marlin, wahoo, barracuda, yellow-fin tuna and other such fish, Maldivians traditionally used small dhonis and trawled outside the atoll enclosure reef.

However, modern speed boats equipped for western style big game fishing are also available now for hire in many resort islands. Many resorts organize morning fishing and big game fishing. Morning fishing, like big-game fishing involves trolling outside the atoll, usually along the outer atoll reef. Most resorts offer only the basic equipment for big game fishing and therefore it is advisable, if you are an enthusiast, to bring along your own equipment.

If you can't get your fill in the daytime, you can also night fishing on board a dhoni. Night fishing is very popular with tourists and almost all the resorts offer it. Night fishing is a unique Maldivian sport and guarantees a quite, relaxing time under the stars, out at seat, rocking gently to the waves. And in addition you can also experience the excitement of fishing. In night fishing, the boat is anchored at a reef just before sunset. Lines are tethered with hooks and sinkers and dropped over board. The favorite catch is the red snapper.

Maldives has a very strong conservation policy and the use of harpoon guns and hunting of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins and large fishes like the whale shark is strictly prohibited.