Maldives Whale Shark Snorkelling Cruise
Maldives Whale Shark Snorkelling Cruise
Cruise the island paradise of the Maldives and experience the ultimate in island hopping, marine conservation and snorkelling adventures. This unique, hand-curated cruise itinerary has been designed for couples, solo travellers, and families with a passion for the ocean and responsible travel.
Discover the charm and natural beauty of the local islands of Dhangethi,
Dhigurah and Gulhi, both above and below the surface. Snorkel with majestic whale sharks and learn about these gentle giants from the Maldivian Whale Shark Research Program Coordinator, who will travel with us. Assist in data collection, identify individuals and maybe even take
measurements underwater!
Meet local NGO Save the Beach, visit a coral nursery and learn about the efforts locally to regenerate coral reefs and how you can assist the process. With your expert local tour leader, learn about the importance of the humble seagrass in sea turtle conservation efforts, embark on a tropical forest walk, visit deserted sandbank islands, complete beach cleans, watch mesmerising sunrises and sunsets and, of course, kick back and relax as you sail your worries away onboard the lovely MV Felicity gullet.
Your tour leader will also familiarise you with all things Maldivian, from tours of the local islands and villages to sampling afternoon tea snacks 'hedhika' to enjoying a Maldivian theme night featuring a traditional 'Bodu Beru' musical drumming & dance performance.
The goal is is to maximise the chances of marine life encounters, and to achieve this, we will adapt the itinerary to take into account conditions, weather forecasts, and the presence of marine life.
Day 1 - Welcome to the Maldives
Upon arriving in the Maldives, you will be met by your tour leader at Male International Airport and board the MV Felicity. After settling in, set off for Maafushi in South Male Atoll, where you will have your first Maldives underwater encounter! Your tour leader will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkelling and act as your 'spotter,' pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems, so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimize your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life. In the evening, a presentation by Save the Beach, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), focuses on the vital role of coral reefs, their biodiversity, and the threats they face due to climate change, pollution, and human activities. The Maldives is rich in marine life, but unfortunately, this abundance is under threat due to human activities. Save the Beach will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the ecosystem and what we can do to limit the impact.
Day 2 - Maafushi Island
Today begins with a visit to Maafushi, where you have the opportunity to explore a coral rehabilitation site and witness coral propagation. This will underpin the importance of coral reef restoration and the positive impact these conservation efforts can have on island nations. We also snorkel the seagrass beds and discover their importance to the ecosystem. Despite being one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet, seagrass is considered unsightly and is often deliberately removed. Gain insights into the interconnectedness of seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and the diverse marine life they support.
Day 3 - South Ari Atoll
As the sun rises, we begin our cruise to South Ari Atoll, known for its exceptional snorkelling opportunities. There will be two snorkelling opportunities today to observe marine and to compare the coral reefs with those experienced in South Male Atoll. In the late afternoon, a visit to the local island of Dhangethi offers a taste of local culture and Maldivian cuisine. Enjoy traditional Maldivian snacks known locally as 'hedikaa.' Before dinner, Maldives Whale Shark Research Project (MWSRP) talk about the conservation of whale sharks preparing you for our whale shark safari tomorrow! Learn about the code of conduct for a positive encounter for both you and the whale shark.
Day 4 - Whale Shark Safari
Today marks the highlight of the itinerary with a dedicated whale shark safari. South Ari Atoll is well known for the possibility of encountering whale sharks, particularly on the reefs behind Dhigurah. There is only one way we can spot them, and that's the old fashioned way of being out on the boat and looking! We may see 2 or 3 sharks in half an hour or maybe only one for the whole time we are searching, but the unpredictability all adds to the excitement! When we do spot them, following the whale shark code of conduct, we will snorkel alongside them. A truly magical experience. As part of the data capture process, assist the MWSRP team in collecting valuable information about the whale sharks, such as size, behaviour, and markings. This hands-on experience contributes directly to their ongoing research efforts. In the afternoon, we visit an uninhabited island. As you step onto its shores, you will feel like an intrepid explorer, discovering a place that feels like it belongs only to you. The island's beaches will invite you to wander and explore their hidden corners. Unfortunately, plastic is often not hidden, and we will spend time completing a beach clean-up activity,
ensuring we leave a positive mark on the island. This evening, with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Project (MWSRP), learn about the biology and behaviour of whale sharks, their ongoing research efforts, and the importance of protecting these gentle giants.
Day 5 - Rangali Madivaru
You will start cruising early in the morning to Rangali Madivaru (Manta Point), where you can snorkel before breakfast. Whilst never a guarantee, you may be lucky enough to encounter manta rays and will follow the manta ray code of conduct if we are fortunate enough to discover them. Following breakfast, you venture on another whale shark safari and data capture session, building upon the experiences of yesterday. Late afternoon, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the tropical vegetation on the local island of Dhigurah. Discover the forest ecosystem and the crucial role vegetation plays in the Maldives. Be ready to get hot and sweaty, but your reward will be a beautiful sunset and, if you wish, a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Day 6 - Maldivian Music and Dance
We start our cruise back towards Male today. Two snorkelling activities offer the opportunity to observe diverse coral reef formations, encounter a variety of fish species, and appreciate the intricate balance of these underwater ecosystems. In the late afternoon, you visit the local island of Gulhi. This tiny, quiet island's main economy is fishing, and it is also home to the oldest dry dock boat yard in the Maldives. Stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation in the boat yard, chat with the ladies sweeping the streets and finally refresh yourself with a cool Kurumba (coconut). In the evening, a Maldivian theme night is organized on board, featuring a Bodu Beru musical performance showcasing traditional Maldivian music and dance. This cultural immersion further deepens participants' understanding of the Maldivian culture and enhances their overall learning experience.
Day 7 - Save the Beach
We start the day with another snorkelling session, allowing you to further explore the marine life and habitats of the Maldives. Keep your eyes open for turtles, sharks and rays. You never know what may be in the blue! En route to Hulhumale, we visit Villimale, home of Save the Beach, where we witness how the broader socio-economic factors and development are affecting marine conservation in local communities.
Day 8 - Goodbye to the Maldives
Departure to Male International Airport.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book the Maldives Whale Shark Snorkelling Cruise
Departure Dates
21st – 28th December 2025
1st – 8th February 2026
1st – 8th March 2026
15th – 22nd March 2026
5th – 12th April 2026
8th – 15th November 2026
Price
Private double room (based on two people travelling) - £1635 per person
Twin share room (sharing with same-gender solo traveller) - £2045 per person
Private single room - £2045 per person
Availability and room types on board are limited. Please contact us for the latest update.
Included in the Maldives Whale Shark Snorkelling Cruise
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- Return transfer by dhoni ( airport- Felicity- airport)
- 7 nights standard cabin accommodation on the boat based on single or double/twin share
- Full board meal plan - Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, High Tea and Dinner
- Unlimited tea and coffee (house coffee)
- Unlimited drinking water - bring your reusable water bottle!
- Cultural Dinner
- Hedika Experience
- Local Island Tour
- Special BBQ Dinner on the beach of the sandbank or uninhabited island (weather permitting)
- Dingy or dhoni transfer to snorkeling points
- Local Tax (10% Service Charge, 17% GST and $12 Green Tax per person per night)
Not Included in the Maldives Whale Shark Conservation Research Expedition
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Items of a personal nature
- Alcoholic beverages from USD$5 (payable at end of expedition)
- Snorkeling Equipment
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If entering Maldives as a UK tourist, you will be granted a 30-day visa upon arrival and your passport must be valid for a minimum of one month. However, if arriving by air, most airlines state that your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives. Check with your transport provider before travelling. You should ensure your passport has no damage or you may be stopped by Immigration, who examine passports carefully.
Visas
The visa on arrival service continues as normal for all tourist arrivals.
Local Laws and Custom
Maldives has very strong anti-drugs laws. Importing or possessing drugs can carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Locals and police are likely to treat seriously the possession and consumption of alcohol, and being intoxicated, outside resorts.
Local laws reflect the fact that Maldives is an Islamic country. Violations of local laws may lead to a prison sentence. Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times, including dressing conservatively and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas around Mosques.
You should be sensitive to local dress standards when on local islands or if staying on an island where the resort is not the exclusive property on the island – cover your shoulders and avoid short or tight-fitting shorts (men and women); when bathing, cover arms and upper legs. Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.
Same-sex relations are illegal and convicted offenders could face lengthy prison sentences and fines. It is an offence to import the following items into Maldives: explosives, weapons, firearms, ammunition, pornographic material, materials deemed contrary to Islam including ‘idols for worship’ and bibles, pork and pork products, and alcohol.
Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands. Do not take any alcohol away from a resort.
The export of tortoise shell and coral is forbidden.
What to bring on your Maldives Whale Shark Snorkelling Cruise
Clothing
Lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cotton and natural fibers are best) which appropriately cover the body, when in the company of the local communities. (Please understand local customs and religious requirements relating to dress codes. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful.
The Maldives is a Muslim country and care needs to be taken in relation to the dress code on local islands. Whilst it is acceptable for men to wear T-Shirts and shorts or swim shorts; females should avoid causing offense by maintaining a more conservative approach to clothes by wearing T-Shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulder, loose shorts that cover the thigh, or sundresses with a sarong around shoulders. Whilst the islands we visit are more tolerant of guests wearing traditional beachwear, females should NOT wear bikinis and swimwear unless on an uninhabited island, picnic island, sandbank, screened off tourist bikini beach, dive boat, or resort island.
More recently the level of acceptance can vary from island to island and between the central atolls and those in the deep north or deep south. The key point to remember is to consider you are a guest in another country and dress not to cause offense.
Whilst the law restricts the wearing of bikinis on local islands, all guesthouses provide a private tourist sunbathing area on the beach or on the terrace of the guesthouse and your guide will advise when and where this is possible. It is common practice by both locals and visitors for females to swim from local public beaches wearing a t-shirt or rash guard and shorts or leggings. When visiting the home of a local family or when having access to mosques, shoulders and legs should be covered fully by both men and women out of respect of local customs
Footwear
The ideal footwear would be sandals and flip-flops.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a reusable waterbottle. A power adapter for phones, laptops, etc. The Maldives uses mostly UK 3 pin style sockets. Hair straighteners and electric razors for those who still like to keep up appearances during their holiday. Hairdryers are available at all properties either per room or available from reception upon request.
Camera/Underwater camera – The Maldives above & below sea level are worth a few photos. For guests wishing to use a guesthouse or dive center underwater camera ensure you bring along a USB or memory card in order to transfer your memories.
Earplugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper or are on board a boat and want to avoid the sound of fellow passengers at close quarters.
Currency
The Maldives has a non-convertible currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa – this cannot be purchased beforehand. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laari and is available in 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 Rufiyaa notes. One US Dollar is equivalent to 15.42 Rufiyaa. The following international currencies can be changed easily to local currency at the airport on arrival: USD/GBP/Canadian Dollar/Euro/Danish Krone/Hong Kong Dollar/Japanese Yen/Norwegian Krone/Singapore Dollar/Swiss Franc/Swedish Krone.
It is not possible to exchange currency to USD only to MVR.
MVR can only be exchanged back to the original currency prior to your departure if you have a receipt for an arrival exchange from the airport Bank of Maldives exchange counter.
It is advised not to exchange currency in Male where bank queues are common and waiting time lengthy. The US Dollar is accepted as legal tender. All major credit cards can be used (and are preferred) at resorts, hotels, shops, etc. On local islands, it is usually only hotels, guesthouses, shops, and larger restaurants that accept credit cards, and cash is generally preferred. Small restaurants, cafes, and activity providers will generally request payment in cash. Most restaurants and shops will accept USD$ in payment providing a change in local currency.
While on the local islands, approximate prices are as follows:
Snack lunch – $5 to $10 / Evening meal in guesthouse or local restaurant – $10 to $25 / Tea / Coffee – $1 for Nescafe to $5 for barrister style coffee / Soft drinks – $1.50 / Water 1.5l – $0.50 / General excursions – from $25 per person – $100 per person / Watersports – from $10 per person for a 60-minute non-motorized rental.
You should expect prices in tourist hotels and on resort islands to be considerably more expensive than this. Be sure to check that 10% service charge and 12% GST have been included in the rates offered.
Weather in Maldives
With a tropical climate, plenty of sunshine, and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year, there is never a bad time to visit the Maldives. The Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) from January to March and the wet season (southwest monsoon) from mid-May to November. Wet however doesn’t mean rain all the time, it just means during this period we see more rain than during the dry season. This may be a daily heavy shower but it’s very rare to have days and days of rain in succession or even a full 24 hours. There is usually more wind during this period but this helps keep the temperature at a nice level and you can still expect plenty of blue skies and sunshine.
The rare thunderstorm in the Maldives (especially around the southwest monsoon months) can be a welcome respite from the sun. Cloudy skies and slate grey seas, and crashing thunder makes for lovely reading weather. The warm temperatures will allow you to go for a walk in the rain, a thoroughly enjoyable experience. For extra exhilaration, take a swim in the rain – the sea will be extra warm. There can be heavy rain showers pretty much any time of year, but they tend to be short and cannot be accurately predicted seasonally (in other words – don’t worry too much about them – you will quite possibly experience some rain showers, but the majority of the weather should be great, and you will be unlucky to get several consecutive days of heavy rain).
Like many places in the world today, the climate and weather pattern is changing and historical data is less reliable as an indication of what to expect in the here and now. Note as the Maldives is situated so close to the equator it is possible to burn even on a cloudy day and sunscreen should be applied as a matter of course.
Time Zone
Maldives Standard Time is GMT/UTC + 5 and during BST + 4. Note some resorts operate Island Time, which is 1 hour ahead of Maldives standard time. The Barefoot Eco Hotel is one of these properties.
Internet Availability
Wi-Fi is available at all our guesthouses and in most cases it is free. However, as an island nation where cabling is along the sea bed and there is only one antenna per island you should not expect the signal strength and speed of internet access to be at the level you are accustomed to back home. Weather can at times also impact the quality of connection.
