Hundreds of snorkellers come together to protect marine life in record-breaking swim
Hundreds of people united by a passion to protect sea life came together to set a snorkelling world record.
Freedive Maldives and Siyam World Maldives gathered 305 people in the stunning blue waters off the coast of Siyam World island in the Maldives to become the most people snorkelling simultaneously.
The attempt, on 5 December 2025, was staged by the two organizations, who promote and teach free diving on the island. They worked together to make the attempt a success, and many plans were put in place to ensure the day ran smoothly. Many of the participants were travelling from all over the Maldivian Archipelago, and were arriving by sea and air, contributing to many hours of travelling.
The record-breaking event was planned with the focus being on the conservation of marine life. Fahd Faiz, the founder of Freedive Maldives and organizer of the event, had a number of responsibilities in the run up to the big day, like providing training to the participants and ensuring that snorkelling safety protocols were met.
He told us: “Through the event, everyone in the water was reminded to adopt ‘reef-safe’ habits such as mindful finning, keeping respectful distances from marine life, and appreciating how fragile our underwater world really is.
“It was a moment that combined fun, community, and conservation, and I hope it inspires people to remember that every small action in the ocean can make a big difference.”
This incredible accomplishment left a feel-good atmosphere amongst the community, and Fahd explained: “Seeing the record officially recognized was an incredibly rewarding moment for our team and everyone involved, a true validation of the planning, preparation, and effort that went into making the day a success.”
Read about more people breaking records with their passions in our Hobbies and Skills section.
Although it was difficult at points to organize all the participants, they all shared one thing in common - an enthusiasm for the cause. The attempt was made a success due to the eagerness of the participants, and with a mix of guests and locals, it encouraged everyone to appreciate and respect the underwater environment of the Maldives.
Fahd personally has always held an interest in world record attempts and has taken part in three so far. He said: “Each experience has been deeply rewarding, and I enjoy the challenge of pushing limits and working as part of a team to achieve something meaningful together.
“Of course, achieving a Guinness World Records title is a milestone, but beyond that, it represents a collective effort and a shared moment that stays with everyone involved, etched not only in the record books but in people’s memories.”
Siyam World Maldives were the main host of the attempt, and their values aligned very well with that of Freedive Maldives. Fahd explained: “Freedive Maldives’ focus on ocean safety and community engagement complemented Siyam World’s bold, adventurous mindset and commitment to protecting the Maldives’ underwater environment.”
The way that the organizations cooperated helped the day be a success, and Fahd hopes that there will be opportunities for them to work together again in the future.
With so many people dedicating their time and effort to such an important cause, Fahd shared some feelings of gratitude to all those who were involved.
“I’d like to sincerely thank Siyam World for being such an incredible host, and Herbert Nitsch, ‘the deepest man on Earth’, for always being enthusiastic about participating in our events and showing tremendous support,” Fahd said.
“I’d also like to thank the Mayor of Malé City, our sponsors, everyone who supported the event, and of course, the amazing Freedive Maldives team for their dedication and hard work. Finally, I want to thank my family, who have been my pillar of strength, for always being there for me.”
The hundreds of people who took part have done something remarkable and shone a light on the amazing reefs that we must take care of and protect.