One of the amazing things to experience on Maafushivaru, Maldives is to spot the biggest fish in the world – the magnificent whale sharks.
Located in South Ari atoll, Maafushivaru is an hour's drive away to the famous local island 'Maamigili', the prime site for seeing whale sharks in great numbers. Embark on a dive trip or a guided excursion with the resident marine biologist to witness this once in a life time experience with the shark that sports the widest grin.
Wake up early and grab a hearty breakfast at Cuisine Gallery before the expedition. Carrying a bottle of water and keeping well hydrated is a wise decision before the exhilarating swim to keep up with the whale shark. You leave Maafushivaru at 0900AM and the boat ride lets you see the beautiful islands of the Maldives. The guide on board explains in-depth about the whale shark, highlighting its habitat, its life span and how and why it appears on the surface.
Within moments you reach the destination and you're given a short brief on the proper etiquette to swim with a whale shark; bearing in mind to keep a considerate distance with the shark to avoid any injury, as one single fin thrust can equate to 10 kick cycles of an average human being! After sighting the exact location of the magnificent animal you will jump off with a guide and paddle your way to watch the gentle giant soar the waters with grace and majesty. The first sight will leave you awestruck with the beauty of nature, and soon you will be rushing to take photographs and videos as proof of your bountiful search.
Whale sharks are a protected species in the Maldives and over 200 whale sharks have been identified in South Ari atoll. Each have been tagged by the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program and even named after. Having the chance to get close to this giant fish is a truly unique experience and a definite number on your bucket list scored in the Maldives.
Reserve your experience with us at Maafushivaru. Grab your fully charged camera, a towel and some positivity to make the most of this breath-taking opportunity with our professional diving team.
