Registration open for Dhiraagu Male’ Open 2026 - Maldives’ biggest open water swimming competition

Registration has opened for Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 – this year’s edition of the country’s biggest open water swimming competition.

Dhiraagu Male’ Open Swimming Competition is set to take place from August 21-22 at Rasfannu, Male’ City.

Organized by Swim Maldives, the competition aims to promote open water swimming, inspire greater participation in the sport, and raise awareness of the importance of protecting the Maldives’ marine environment.

Mirshan Hassan, Director Brand and Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu, said that the company was delighted to collaborate with Swim Maldives to announce the third edition of the 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,” he said.

“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.”

Hussain Shameem, President of Swim Maldives, said that they were 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,” he said.

Shameem believes this is just the beginning.

“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”, he said.

Registration is now open for the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026.

Participants can sign up for the 1km, 500m and 250m race categories.

New for this year is the introduction of the 500m Team Relay, offering an exciting opportunity for friends, families and clubs to compete together.

Last year’s competition attracted 350 swimmers from across the Maldives, out of whom more than 340 participants successfully completing their races.

The participants ranged in age from 6 to 65 years, reflecting the inclusive nature of the event and the growing popularity of open water swimming nationwide.

Dhiraagu reiterated its committed to supporting initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen community engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for people across the Maldives to participate in sports and recreational activities.