The Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition 2026, recognised as the largest open water swimming event in the Maldives, will take place on 21 and 22 August 2026 at Rasfannu, Malé.
Organised by Swim Maldives, the competition is designed to encourage participation in open water swimming, promote the sport across the country, and increase awareness about the importance of protecting the Maldives’ marine environment.
“It is a pleasure to collaborate with Swim Maldives to announce the 3rd edition of the Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition. Through our support for mass participation events like this, we aim to create inclusive opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, embrace healthy lifestyles, and connect through sport. Furthermore, given the natural environment of the Maldives, we place a strong emphasis on encouraging swimming and fostering the development of water sports, recognizing that swimming is an essential life skill in our island nation”, stated Mirshan Hassan, Director Brand and Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu.
“We are incredibly excited by the momentum open water swimming is gaining in the Maldives. The success of last year’s Dhiraagu Malé Open, followed by the unforgettable debut of OCEANMAN Maldives, has laid a strong foundation for the sport, and we anticipate welcoming more international participants and national teams than ever before this year. This is just the beginning. We envision the Dhiraagu Malé Open growing into one of the Maldives’ flagship sporting events and a must-attend fixture on the international open water swimming calendar”, stated Hussain Shameem, President of Swim Maldives.
Registration for the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 is now open, with swimmers invited to enter the 1km, 500m, and 250m race categories. A new addition for this year is the 500m Team Relay, providing friends, families, and clubs with an opportunity to compete together.
Participants can register online at: https://swimmaldives.org/male-open-2026/#register
The previous edition of the competition attracted 350 swimmers from across the Maldives, with more than 340 participants successfully completing their races. Competitors ranged in age from 6 to 65 years, highlighting both the inclusive nature of the event and the increasing popularity of open water swimming throughout the country.
Dhiraagu continues to support initiatives that encourage healthy living, strengthen community participation, and provide meaningful opportunities for people across the Maldives to engage in sports and recreational activities.
