Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition 2026 set for August
Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition 2026, the largest open water swimming event in the Maldives, is set to take place on 21 and 22 August 2026 at Rasfannu, Malé.
Organised 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.
“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, recognising 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 is now open for the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026, with participants invited to 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. Participants can now secure their place by registering online from here.
Last year, the competition attracted 350 swimmers from across the Maldives, with more than 340 participants successfully completing their races. 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 remains 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.
