Whale sharks are year-round residents in Maldives, tending to favor the western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December, then heading to east until April.
Where can you see whale sharks in Maldives?
South Ari Atoll
The best place to swim with whale sharks in the Maldives is the South Ari Atoll. They frequent the channel to the south of the atoll and can be spotted year-round. The best islands for whale shark tours are Dhigurah, Dhangethi and Maamigili.
What is the best month to swim with whale sharks?
Best Time to Swim with a Whale Shark. The good news is that the likelihood of swimming with a whale shark on your first tour is around 95% success rate from very late March to late July each year.
Can you see whales in Maldives?
Larger whales are not especially common, but blue whales are seen regularly as they migrate through the Maldives during November to May. In contrast, humpback whales are most commonly observed during June to October. The Maldives atoll chain runs some 800km north to south.
What Time of year do whale sharks migrate?
Whale sharks are popular around the world in many locations. But each year they migrate along the Gulf of Mexico and the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula and the Caribbean between May and September.
Can you see whale sharks in the Maldives in January?
Whale sharks tend to favour the Western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December and then move to the Eastern waters from January to April. They can be spotted around the South Ari Atoll’s Maamigili Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Can you swim with sharks in Maldives?
There is no “shark week” in the Maldives quite simply because you can spot these majestic marine beasts in the archipelago’s waters throughout the year. Amongst the most breath-taking experiences to have, for any diver, is to swim in the open sea with sharks.
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks?
Booking a swim with the whale sharks costs about $60 to $100 and is possible online or in person.
Can you see whale sharks in February?
Donsol Bay, Philippines
Sightings are less frequent these days, but whale shark tourism is reportedly more ethical here than in Oslob, Cebu (where the sharks are fed). When to go: Whale sharks generally arrive between November and June, with sightings peaking from February to April.
Is it safe to swim with whale sharks?
While whale sharks have a huge mouth, they almost exclusively feed on plankton. That is why they are absolutely harmless to humans. They are mainly interested in fish eggs, algae and krill, and they are definitely not interested in the person swimming next to them.
Are there killer whales in Maldives?
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) Killer whales are not especially common in the Maldives (Tables 4, 6 and 7).
Are there dolphins in Maldives?
It is believed that 20 difference species of dolphin call the Maldives home. These include Spinner, Bottlenose, Risso’s, Spotted and Striped Dolphins. The most common seen in the region are Spinner dolphins which are said to number thousands.
Can you swim with stingrays in Maldives?
Visitors to the Maldives are able to swim with manta rays and even whale sharks, thanks to plankton-rich marine protected environments like Manta Point, which is just off of Hanifaru Bay, as well as other ray and whale shark hangouts.
Where do whale sharks go in winter?
But after feeding, they drift off in random directions, completely disappearing during winter and spring. Based on a few inconclusive observations, scientists assert that the sharks move to areas in the southwestern Gulf in search of a safe place to ride out icy temperatures.
Can you see sharks in Cancun?
The straightforward answer is yes there are indeed sharks in Cancun. But if you are concerned about being attacked by one, stop worrying right now! There are sharks in all Seas and Oceans except for the Dead Sea (too salty) and very few in the Arctic.
How long do whale sharks live for?
It is estimated that whale sharks may live to over 100 years of age, reaching maturity at around 30 years. They are thought to have a fast growth rate when very young, which then slows down, taking them a long time to reach maturity and adding to the vulnerability of this iconic species.
Can you swim in the Maldives water?
Swimming & snorkelling in the Maldives
Snorkelling and swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean can be equally enjoyable and enable you to take a panoramic view of the sea bed and coral reefs from the surface.
How good is the diving in the Maldives?
The Maldives is a low-lying nation with dreamy white sand beaches and excellent reefs with an abundance of marine life. Scuba diving is done at a leisurely drift pace as the Indian monsoon current sweeps along the island chains, moving nutrients and divers along.
Where are whale sharks in October?
Where to see whale sharks in October
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives.
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
- Koh Tao, Thailand.
- Mafia Island, Tanzania.
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique.
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia.
- Roatan, Honduras.
Are there great white sharks in Maldives?
U.K. The water is too warm for Great Whites but the Maldives does have over 26 other species of shark……….
Are there no sharks in Maldives?
Maldives is home to over 25 species of sharks. The most common are the Black-Tip, White-Tip and Grey Reef Sharks. At Ayada Maldives you are almost guaranteed to see an abundance of baby reef sharks around the shallow waters of the lagoon and quite often even find yourself swimming among them.
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