With over 99 percent of the total area of the Maldives consisting of water, the country boasts some of the best fishing grounds in the world. The fish stock of the Maldives include over a thousand species, some of which are indigenous to the Maldives.

The methods of fishing vary depending on the type of fish that you want to catch and the time of the day that you prefer. The most popular fishing with visitors is night fishing for groupers, snappers, emperors, jacks, squirrel fish, barracuda and other reef fish. The catch normally ends on the barbecue grill on the beach and guests are able to enjoy their own catch with great savor.

Morning fishing begins by dawn. These fishing trips, in the early hours of the morning by dhoni inside the atoll or just outside the atoll are for little tuna, dolphin fish, rainbow runner, jack, trevally and barracuda. These too sometimes become as engaging as big game fishing.

Traditionally Maldivians, as masters of the sea, used small dhonis and trawled outside the atoll enclosure reef for big game such as sailfish, swordfish, marlin, wahoo, barracuda, yellowfin tuna and other game. However modern speedboats equipped for western style big game fishing are also available now for hire in many resorts.

Since the Maldives practices a strong conservation policy, 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.

All resorts provide facilities for big game fishing. You don’t have to be expert in fishing, the crew of the boats are very adapt at the art of fishing and will advice you on all aspects of making a good and fun catch.