These 8 days on a Whale Shark Conservation Cruise in the Maldives were everything – but definitely not a normal Maldives trip. Instead of a typical Maldives package holiday or luxury Maldives cruise, we experienced a sustainable Maldives liveaboard adventure full of ethical encounters with Maldives whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and the real life of the local people.
As you know, I had already visited three different Maldives local islands before – Dhigurah, Fulhadhoo and Thulusdhoo – as well as one resort island. But NOTHING came close to the experiences of this trip. This journey was exciting, grounding, slow, meaningful and full of beautiful encounters – it was SO MANY things at once and simply felt different. 💫
Secret Paradise – a very special company
Transparency note: This trip took place in collaboration with Secret Paradise Maldives. As always, all thoughts, experiences and opinions in this blog post reflect my honest and personal view. 💙
Secret Paradise Maldives is the perfect example of what sustainable tourism in the Maldives can look like. While many Maldives trips focus on perfectly staged moments, they show you the real Maldives – the connection to the ocean, to the people and to the responsibility we carry as travellers.
And that is exactly what made this week so special for me. Whale sharks and manta rays suddenly were not just another bucket list moment anymore. Instead of only observing animals, we were able to actively collect data and become part of real marine conservation projects ourselves. ☺️
Spoiler: The universe rewarded us with wonderful, but also very eye-opening encounters. 💫
The concept: Maldives Whale Sharks Conservation Cruise
The literal translation of “Conservation Cruise” into German would sound quite strange – something like “preservation sea journey”. To me, “marine conservation expedition” describes it much better. Because this trip is all about protecting this fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants. For simplicity, I will continue to use the English term “Conservation Cruise” throughout this blog post.
This Maldives snorkeling trip was specifically focused on Maldives whale sharks, learning more about them and supporting their protection. These Whale Shark Conservation Cruises are organised by Secret Paradise Maldives in collaboration with the Maldives Whale Shark Research (MWSR).
Secret Paradise also offers turtle and manta ray Conservation Cruises, as well as a 10-day whale shark expedition. From the bottom of my heart, I can recommend joining one of these cruises – and at the end of this blog post, there is also a little gift for your booking, just for my loyal readers. ☺️
By the way: Secret Paradise also offers Day Tours, Local Island Tours and a lot more! Just head over to secretparadise.mv and have a look.
Our home for 8 days: Maldives whale shark liveaboard
The MV Felicity is a beautiful boat with so much soul, built in a traditional wooden style. For 8 days, I was lucky enough to call this boat my home. It can comfortably accommodate 12 guests plus the crew.
However, we were only 5 guests because in March 2026, some flights were cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East and a few guests could not make it. But honestly? That was not a problem at all. We were such a wonderfully harmonious group. So after being picked up at the airport, we went straight onto the boat.
Life on our sailing boat
Let me tell you what everyday life on a sailing boat can look like. On our first day, the weather was so good that we started directly with the atoll crossing – crossing the sea passage between the atolls. More precisely, we travelled from North Malé Atoll, where the capital Malé and the airport are located, towards the south-west into Ari Atoll.
So we had many beautiful first hours on deck of the MV Felicity and slowly got used to life on a boat. We moved into our cabins, enjoyed the sun on the cosy daybeds and started to get to know each other a little better. Over delicious coffee – yes, there was actually good coffee several times a day – the first deep talks happened and the first little similarities were discovered.
And honestly, that is not something you can take for granted with such a mixed group – different age groups, different nationalities, but all connected by the same love: our world, our animals, our oceans. 🌊
Our daily schedule was always announced and discussed the evening before with a little “agenda”. Usually, we alternated between one early wake-up day for snorkelling – the best time for animal sightings – and one day with a slow morning.
On the Felicity, we were incredibly well taken care of every single day. Our private chef prepared fresh Maldivian, Mediterranean and Sri Lankan dishes for us daily – with so much love and absolutely delicious. THAT is what I call all inclusive, exactly my kind of way. 😍
Welcome to my small but lovely cabin
The boat has twin and double cabins. I had a twin cabin all to myself and found it really comfortable – super clean, cosy and with enough space. The beds were incredibly comfortable, too. 🥰
We were also always accompanied by our dhoni, our smaller boat, which we later used for the surveys and snorkelling trips. Not to be confused with the tiny dinghy – a little fishing boat – which was attached to the back of our sailing boat.
Our snorkeling adventures
On our second day, we started with three (!) snorkelling sessions, including one at the beautiful reef of Omadhoo. If you ask me, it is one of the best house reefs the Maldives has to offer. So early in the morning, we boarded the dhoni and were taken to the reef for our first Maldives snorkeling adventure. Before entering the water, we received a detailed briefing on the dhoni from our Secret Paradise guide Dan.
It is SO important that you receive a proper briefing from your travel or tour operators BEFORE entering the water. If you ever join a tour where you are simply told to jump into the water without any explanation, PLEASE ask for a briefing – because that is a huge red flag.
Many travellers have no idea how many things they can do wrong in and under the water. I have already witnessed so many awful things with my own eyes – and even I was not aware of everything before this trip. It is not a shame not to know everything. But it is OUR responsibility to ask.
We were given snorkelling equipment – masks and fins – including those who did not bring their own. And then we went straight into the deep blue. One guide always led the group, while another guide swam at the very back, making sure nobody was left behind.
Omadhoo – the best house reef in the Maldives?
The reef around Omadhoo is one of those places in the Maldives that truly left me speechless. Between huge table corals, schools of fish and turtles, it felt like entering a completely different world.
What I loved most was that the reef still felt so alive and untouched – and that is exactly why I realised once again how important it is to protect this fragile underwater world.
Snorkeling with turtles and eagle rays
As the perfect little highlight, towards the end of the snorkel, our first turtle and our first eagle ray swam past us quite confidently. What a moment, so early on during this Maldives liveaboard experience!
Snorkeling with manta rays
While we were on the dhoni heading to one of our snorkelling spots, our guides spotted several manta rays! How exciting – manta rays are among my favourite marine animals because they are so intelligent, elegant and simply fascinating. Luckily, we spotted manta rays several times during our week on the boat. I loved watching them gliding through the water.
Most of the manta ray sightings were very relaxed. Only once, a few divers joined in and, probably out of ignorance – although honestly, why do you need to swim that close to the animals at all? – blocked the manta cleaning station. They interrupted the natural behaviour of the animals and were completely in their way. Please, please use your common sense. 💙
Uninhabited islands, octopuses, pufferfish and collecting trash
On this trip, we were lucky enough to snorkel in some of the dreamiest places – sometimes in the most turquoise water in front of palm-fringed beaches that looked almost unreal.
We also collected trash from the ocean and removed it. You really learn to keep your eyes open here. For the wonders of the ocean, but also for its “intruders” – the things that simply do not belong there. Just look at this huge, heavy tarpaulin that Kamey is pulling out of the sea. I was actually proud that I spotted it – but I could not dive down that far myself, so thank you to our guides, who move through the water like fish and can retrieve things like this from the seabed.
We saw pufferfish, clownfish, barracudas, unicornfish and sooooo many other interesting fish species. Several octopuses, too – including one that changed colour five times and two that were mating. WOW!
If Maldives snorkeling is one of your biggest dreams, then this truly is the trip of a lifetime. I have snorkelled so much in my life, but this Maldives snorkeling trip completely exceeded all my expectations. Especially because we also practised freediving and, over time, managed to hold our breath a little longer and dive a little deeper.
Our learning sessions: #1 Seagrass
After and between our snorkelling sessions, we always had our learning sessions. The first session was all about seagrass and why it is such an important ecosystem. That is why our last snorkel of the day took place in a seagrass bed – how fitting!
At first glance, seagrass may look quite unspectacular – and many travellers even feel disturbed by it during their beach holiday – but did you know that it is considered a “superhero of the sea”? It is incredibly important for our oceans and our planet because it provides shelter and food for countless marine animals. It produces oxygen, stores huge amounts of CO2 and also protects coastlines from erosion.
What can we do?
- Ask hotels or tour operators not to remove seagrass
- Be mindful of the underwater world
- Do not anchor in seagrass beds
- Report spotted seagrass via Seagrass Spotter: https://seagrassspotter.org/
Thank you for helping. 💙
Our Learning Sessions: #2 Whale Sharks – Gentle Giants of the Oceans
Whale sharks are the fascinating animals we wanted to help protect. The inspiring creatures we wanted to learn so much more about. The animals we wanted to encounter respectfully and ethically in order to help track their data.
Of course, we also had several learning sessions about whale sharks during our Maldives whale shark liveaboard. We learned countless interesting facts, dived deeper into their behaviour and were introduced to the work of the Maldives Whale Shark Research (MWSR). Super fascinating!
Whale sharks are the largest fish on our planet. They can grow up to 12-14 metres long and weigh up to 15 tons. They live in warm tropical and subtropical waters. Unlike many people think, whale sharks are active filter feeders. They create a strong suction while filtering food from the water and glide through the ocean with their mouths wide open.
They mainly feed on plankton, but also on small crustaceans and fish such as sardines or mackerel. What fascinated me the most was the fact that whale sharks often swim directly at the surface of the water – sometimes even almost vertically. It was also incredibly interesting to learn more about the natural migration routes of Maldives whale sharks between islands and even entire atolls.
Every single whale shark has a unique spot pattern – almost like a fingerprint. This is exactly how animals can be identified and scientifically documented through photos, so called “ID shots”. Sadly, many whale sharks can nowadays also be recognised by their injuries, often caused by boat propellers. In the Maldives, these sighting data are used to better understand migration patterns, health conditions and populations – an incredibly important contribution to protecting these animals.
Due to fishing, direct hunting, boat collisions and environmental changes, whale shark populations have been declining for many years. Another reason why it is so important to support ethical Maldives whale shark research and conservation projects.
Ethical whale shark snorkeling in the Maldives
Especially South Ari Atoll is considered one of the best places in the world for snorkeling with whale sharks in the Maldives. That is exactly why so many travellers dream of encountering one of these gentle giants here one day.
But over the last years, the situation has become increasingly problematic. So here is my honest and urgent request to you: please be aware that these beautiful animals are being exploited by tourism whenever we choose unethical tour operators. Unfortunately, there are still far too many unethical offers out there. It is up to us to boycott them and show that we are not interested in chaotic animal encounters. Here is how you can recognise ethical tour operators for Maldives whale shark tours:
- Detailed briefings before entering the water
- Guides explain clear behavioural rules
- Nobody jumps directly on top of the animals
- Animals are never touched or chased
- A respectful distance is maintained (>3m from the head, >4m from the tail)
- Boats move slowly and respectfully in whale shark areas
- Boats have propeller protection
- Boats carry a flag showing their registration in the SAMPA region
- Small groups instead of mass tourism
- Guides intervene if guests behave disrespectfully towards the animals
But enough theory for now – let’s finally head out on our surveys and start collecting data!
Our “Surveys” – collecting data as Citizen Scientists
Two of our days on the Indian Ocean were dedicated to our “surveys”. In this context, “survey” does not mean a questionnaire. It is more like a scientific data collection trip. Sounds exciting, right? Hehe! 😋
Together with our dhoni, we headed out for our very first citizen science survey. We cruised along the outer reefs of South Ari Atoll and collected data about megafauna sightings – meaning larger fish and marine mammals – as well as boat sightings including coordinates and names.
This is how it worked: all of us climbed onto the “roof” of the dhoni and kept our eyes open together. Our guides explained which signs on the water surface they look for in order to spot whales or whale sharks. I found this SO exciting and it honestly reminded me a lot of my safaris in Africa. Already on the first day, we spotted several turtles from the roof. Later, we also saw manta rays again!
All collected data were entered together into three lists: boats, megafauna and whale sharks. Everyone helped. In between, people relaxed in the sun, read books or simply enjoyed the view. That is what our survey days looked like:
Pilot whales and dolphins
Since we spent so much time on the water, we of course also encountered dolphins. These friendly marine mammals are famous for approaching boats on their own. Over several days, we spotted multiple dolphin pods – entire families! And once, we even encountered a larger group of pilot whales.
Our guides Dan and Kamey noticed specific formations on the water surface in the distance and guided the dhoni captain towards them. Eventually, 4 adult pilot whales together with 4 baby pilot whales approached our dhoni. How magical. 🥹
Our whale shark sightings
We had two survey days during which we collected lots of valuable data. And then finally, the big moment arrived… our first whale shark sighting. Honestly, I almost cried from happiness seeing one of these majestic animals with my own eyes.
During this sighting, only a handful of boats were present. So we stopped as well and carefully entered the water in order to identify the animal and take ID shots. It was such a magical moment when we slowly entered the water with enough distance, waiting for the whale shark to swim past us. And then it finally happened. Absolutely unforgettable. 😍
Towards the end, however, there were a few too many people in the water for my personal taste, which sadly took away a little bit of the magic. Once the boats started collecting swimmers again, driving past the whale shark and dropping people off directly “in front of its nose”, we decided to leave the sighting.
Still, we managed to get the ID shot and discovered that the whale shark was WS071 – Fernando. Sadly, Fernando can also be recognised by his injuries. Do you see the small notch in his tail fin? That has become his sad trademark.
Fernando is probably the most famous Maldives whale shark, with more than 400 sightings over the past 20 years. At around 8 metres long, he is lovingly called the “King of South Ari Atoll”.
Swimming with whale sharks in the Maldives is always an incredibly unique and humbling experience. 💙
And that is exactly why I cannot understand how some tourists and even tour operators behave so carelessly around these animals. The next day, we had another whale shark sighting – but what we witnessed there was complete chaos. Countless boats were racing around one whale shark from every direction. Dozens of people were jumping off of boats, kicking and screaming in the water, not aware that they were putting themselves into danger.
And in the middle of all this chaos: one gentle whale shark that probably had no idea what was happening around him. It was heartbreaking for us. We filmed the situation from a respectful distance, documented the boats and their names, and left the scene.
Do you see how close the swimmers are to the whale shark? How they corner Fernando while aggressively kicking the water surface with their fins? How the woman wearing the whale shark rashguard dives straight down towards the animal to get the perfect Instagram photo?
Of course you can take photos with whale sharks – but you should always keep a respectful distance and pay attention to the overall situation around the animal. And this situation was already completely chaotic. PLEASE follow the important rules for ethical whale shark encounters. PLEASE only book tours with proven ethical operators.
It is so important that we as travellers start changing our mindset and also help educate others. Because as long as WE continue wanting these chaotic encounters, there will always be people organising them for us.
Our visits to Maldives local islands
Local Island #1: Dhangethi
Our first local island visit during this 8-day Maldives whale shark liveaboard turned out to be such a beautiful surprise. If I had known how lovely Dhangethi is, I definitely would have visited earlier. The colourful little streets, the lush greenery and the charming small shops completely captured my heart. But the absolute highlight were the cafés and restaurants with their beautiful lounges directly by the beach – and even wooden decks with seating areas ABOVE the water. Just WOW.
A little bonus story
I promised to include this little photo series in my blog post. The reason behind it? Our guide Kamey picked different fruits for us to try. And every now and then, he needed the help of our guide Dan to actually reach them. So here you can see the absolute favourite photo series of the Secret Paradise guests (thank you Dan and Kamey for the entertainment 😂), where Dan once again had to act as a “human ladder” – that’s what we call it in German.
Thank you, Dhangethi, for this unexpected and beautiful surprise. To end the evening, we treated ourselves to fresh juice at a beautiful spot by the harbour on a large wooden pier.
Local Island #2: Dhigurah
Ahhh, Dhigurah – maybe the most beautiful island in the Maldives. I already visited Dhigurah back in 2020 and completely fell in love with the Maldives there. Only Fulhadhoo in 2025 managed to top that feeling – so now I am basically double in love. ☺️
For sunset, we went to the sandbank at the end of the island. Just look at these unreal colours during blue hour… I truly adore this kind of light. Later that evening, we enjoyed a beautiful beach dinner together and simply soaked in the moment. For once, my camera actually stayed in my bag. But of course, I still took a few phone photos for you.
Local Island #3: Gulhi
The third local island during our Maldives cruise was Gulhi. And if I am being completely honest, this was the only island I did not fall in love with. Maybe because some of Gulhi’s beaches are artificially expanded – I do not know. But overall, the vibe personally just did not feel as beautiful to me.
At the same time, I also know many travellers who absolutely loved Gulhi. So as always – please form your own opinion. 😇 What I really enjoyed though was watching the local kids play games on the beach. They had SO much fun and it was genuinely interesting to watch. Different countries, different games!
But the day was not over yet. Back on the MV Felicity, a beautiful surprise was waiting for us: Maldivian Night! With traditional Maldivian dishes, Boduberu music and dancing, it became such a special evening together. 💫
Local Island #4: Villingili with “Save the Beach”
Our last local island visit was coming up: Villimalé, also known as Villingili. We were warmly welcomed at the harbour by Save the Beach Maldives. Afterwards, we went on a lovely walk around the island, which honestly felt absolutely magical. So authentic, peaceful and almost sleepy – despite being located right next to Malé. Let’s hope this does not change with the construction of the big bridge.
Save the Beach Maldives is an NGO dedicated to protecting coral reefs in the Maldives. They work on coral restoration, plant new corals and organise beach clean-ups. They also educate local communities and encourage them to actively participate. Do you remember my Fulhadhoo blog post? That coral nursery we snorkelled to was actually one of their projects. ☺️
At the end of the walk, we sat down at a shady little beach spot in Villingili, where we received a really interesting presentation about Save the Beach Maldives. Afterwards, during our very last snorkelling session of the trip, we even got a little “tour” through the coral plantations.
Uploading the collected data
After this incredibly educational day, we returned to the Felicity one last time. During our final evening together, we uploaded all the data we had collected as a team for the Maldives Whale Shark Research. This truly felt like our personal full circle moment.
Because now, our citizen science work finally came to life. All the collected megafauna sightings, whale shark sightings and boat sightings could now actually contribute to science, conservation and marine protection. It was such a beautiful final evening and the perfect ending to a truly special journey unlike any other. 🥹
FAQ & tips for whale sharks, Maldives & snorkeling
What should be on my Maldives packing list? The most important things are definitely: Your own fins and mask so they fit perfectly while snorkeling, a travel adapter, cash for small local shops or tips, reef-safe sunscreen with a high SPF, rashguards with UV protection for your time in the water, seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness (many travellers swear by Vomex, for example), a drybag for boat adventures, light but covering clothing for the Muslim Maldives local islands, an underwater camera (GoPro, DJI Action etc.) and a power bank!
When is whale shark season in the Maldives? What is the best time to see Maldives whale sharks? In the Maldives – especially in South Ari Atoll – whale sharks can be spotted all year round. Personally, March is my favourite time to visit. The water is usually calm and clear, temperatures are often above 30°C and the chances for whale shark sightings in the Maldives are very high.
Do you get seasick? How exhausting is the trip? What fitness level do you need? None of us got seasick during this Maldives liveaboard week. On slightly windier days, some travellers took a Vomex just to be safe, but everyone felt completely fine throughout the journey. A basic fitness level is definitely helpful, but the group always moves through the water according to the slowest person – so absolutely no worries, nobody gets left behind. 💙
Can you join as a solo traveller? Is the trip suitable for couples or families? This Maldives snorkeling trip is honestly suitable for every kind of traveller. During our boat week, we were 5 solo travellers from all around the world and it was such a beautiful experience. But couples and families will absolutely love this journey as well – because these are the kinds of adventures that make you grow together and create truly unforgettable memories.
Do you need diving experience? Is the trip suitable for snorkeling beginners? It is definitely important that you feel safe and comfortable in the water. The Secret Paradise guides support you during the snorkeling sessions and swimming, as they always accompany the group with a flotation ring and make sure everyone stays safe. And if you cannot snorkel yet – you will very likely learn it during this trip, so just relax and enjoy the experience! ☺️
What happens if no whale sharks are spotted? That can absolutely happen – because nature is nature. It is completely normal that the specific animal species you are hoping for may not appear. But honestly? You will most likely be rewarded with many other magical encounters instead. 💙
Conclusion: 8 days Whale Sharks Maldives Conservation Cruise
This 8 days Maldives whale sharks liveaboard was so much more than just a holiday. It was a reminder of what travel can feel like when we stop only consuming – and instead start connecting, learning and contributing to something meaningful.
If you want to experience the Maldives beyond luxury resorts and dream about swimming with whale sharks in the Maldives (or lots of other amazing wildlife), then I can wholeheartedly recommend this Conservation Cruise. This journey felt far less like a typical Maldives cruise or classic Maldives safari – and much more like a real ocean expedition with purpose.
Maybe the most beautiful journeys are not the most luxurious ones. Or the ones we return from with the most photos. Maybe they are the ones that remind us how deeply connected we actually are to this world. The ones that change something inside of us. 💫
I will definitely do this again in 2027. And if you would like to join as well, feel free to message me on Instagram or leave a comment below this blog post. (Provisional dates: March 21st – March 28th 2027, during Easter holidays)
And if you would like to book any other cruise with Secret Paradise, you can use the code “SAMYLEAVES” for a small discount on your booking – here are the cruises. 🫰🏽 Thank you for contributing to the protection of our oceans. 💙
Safe travels,
Samy
