Whale Shark Snorkeling Maldives: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Marine Adventure

If I could do this everyday, I would. These trips are 1000% amazing. South Ari Atoll is one of the only places in the world where you can see Whale Sharks year round and by a reef so it is really special. Every excursion I went on we saw a Whale Shark, if not multiple. The first trip I went on we saw a Whale Shark and Manta Rays together (linked in the button below).  The guides are great; everything is easy. Be ready for large crowds with fins in your face at times. 

Whale sharks and manta rays

Cost

Let’s talk cost… Per person to go on the Whale Shark Snorkel is $100 USD. Kids (I’m pretty sure) are $50 but I know for sure they’re less than full price. This cost I feel is very reasonable and it includes any snorkel gear you may need, boat transfer, a 4 hour excursion time, and water on the boat. 

Code of Conduct

There are rules for the excursions. The most important one is to not touch the whale shark. If you do touch the whale shark, you will be kicked off the excursion permanently and possibly fined. 
Other rules are mostly surrounding covid… masks required on bottom deck of the boat and hand sanitizer upon entry. 
Finally, no first time snorkelers are aloud to go on this trip. The sheer chaos (which can be seen in my YouTube videos) says it all when it comes to why first time snorkelers cannot go. 

Sites

There are two sites you can go to see Whale Sharks consistently. The first one is out along the outer reef by Dhigurah Island and the second one is by the Radisson Blu resort which was new to me but is growing in popularity due to its frequent congregations of multiple Whale Sharks at a time. Each of these sites are about the same distance by Dhoni- around 1 hour. 

Swimming 

The second of these trips I went on was the most incredible. There were upwards of 5 Whale Sharks at the site giving everyone room to spread out and giving me lots of time with the sharks. I had the time of my life on both of these trips! To the right is my favorite clip of the Whale Shark ever.

YouTube