The pride of underwater Maldives! The whale shark. You can get a chance to see these gentle giants residing in their natural habitat at your Maafushi local island stay. Whale sharks are considered one of the endangered protected species, so it’s not a common sea creature even in Maldives.
To see the whale sharks you have to travel to the waters of South Ari Atoll, which takes about 2 hours from a speedboat. Yes, a long ride journey, but a worthwhile one.
Swim along these gigantic species of fauna which resides in the bountiful waters of South Ari atoll, while getting educated about these creatures on your whale shark snorkeling trip.
What season is the best for whale sharks?
The best time to see the whale shark is during its peak season from August to November, but there is a good chance of seeing these creatures all year round swimming beside dozens of Manta rays at South Ari Atoll.
Whale shark tour packages
Maafushi certainly does not lack its collection dive centers and guesthouses. They provide packages for you to enjoy a whale shark snorkeling session at South Ari Atoll. The packages vary though, and the cost depends on the amenities and services they provide on the expedition.
For about $90 you could enjoy a snorkeling session in South Ari Atoll for 7 hours with island hopping. These packages usually provide lunch break on islands such as Dhigurah (famous for its long beach) and snorkeling equipment required for your expedition.
Usually these trips do not have a fixed date as they start when requirements for the minimum number of people are met, so you might want to make some friends with some of the other guests on your Maafushi local island vacation. The more the merrier right? Usually the minimum number required is roughly 10 pax, but make sure you discuss it with the guesthouse or dive center as it’s the only way to be sure.
Swimming with the whale shark is certainly an awe-inspiring moment which should remain in your bucket list.