The Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition 2026, 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 aims to promote open water swimming, encourage greater participation in the sport, and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Maldives’ marine environment.
According to the company, the event forms part of its ongoing efforts to support healthy lifestyles and increase opportunities for community participation in sport.
“It is a pleasure to collaborate with Swim Maldives to announce the third 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 of Brand and Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu.
Dhiraagu stated that registration is now open for the competition, with participants invited to compete in the 1 km, 500 m, and 250 m race categories. This year’s event will also introduce a new 500m team relay category, allowing friends, families, and clubs to participate together.
“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.
Participants can register online through the Swim Maldives website.
The company stated that last year’s competition attracted 350 swimmers from across the Maldives, with more than 340 participants completing their races. Participants ranged in age from six to 65 years, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event and the growing popularity of open water swimming across the country.
The competition is expected to bring together swimmers of different ages and skill levels while further promoting open water swimming in the Maldives.
As stated by Dhiraagu, the event also reflects the company’s commitment to supporting sporting activities that encourage active lifestyles and community engagement.
