January 29, 2022
10 BEST MALDIVES RESORT FOR WHALE SHARK
5 mins read
The underwater beauty of Maldives and its beauty, exists a marine paradise rich with fascinating, magnificent creatures. One such marvel of the ocean is - The Whale Shark. Maldives is one of the places where largest known fish species where these can be spotted all year round.
10 BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR WHALE SHARKS:
LUX* SOUTH ARI
ATOLL (SOUTH ARI ATOLL)
South Ari Atoll itself is a marine-protected area that offers
fun activities throughout the year. This includes diving, snorkeling, marine
wildlife watching, etc. Located on DhidhooFinolhu of South Ari Atoll is the LUX
South Ari Atoll, a five-star resort, a one-stop for both family and
romantic getaways.
LUX* South Ari Atoll is the best Maldives resort
for whale sharks as it is the closest resort to the South Ari Atoll
marine park. Being a 5-minute boat ride to the dive sites, means you can
be the first boat on the scene when whale sharks are present in the area on a
particular day. LUX* South Ari Atoll has a PADI-certified dive center and
experienced guides to ensure you have the best possible experience.
Lux South Ari Atoll
VILAMENDHOO ISLAND
RESORT (SOUTH ARI ATOLL)
Vilamendhoo Island Resort is designed to provide you with
the best diving experience. This 4.5-star resort offers unique experiences,
excellent hospitality and a strong dedication to protecting marine
ecology. Vilamendhoo
Island Resort is sheltered alongside a blue turquoise lagoon, packed
with lavish tropical vegetation and surrounded by a white sandy beach.
Located just 15 minutes by boat to the whale shark
sites, this South Ari Atoll resort has an on-site integrated 5-star PADI
certified Dive Centre that organizes daily trips for visitors to the most
famous dive sites in the area.
Vilamendhoo Island Resort
LILY BEACH
RESORT & SPA (SOUTH ARI ATOLL)
Located on the private island of Huvahendhoo in South Ari
Atoll, Lily Beach
Resort & Spa is a 5-star resort located slightly further away from
the whale shark sites than other resorts, however, it provides excellent
premium, all inclusive stay packages. It’s possible to snorkel everyday here as
this resort has a great house reef!Lily Beach in the South Ari Atoll is a large population of
resident whale sharks and manta rays. Swimming with these creatures is an
extremely sought after experience and the resort offers ocean adventures that
allow guests to swim freely next to these giant, but gentle creatures. The
first resort to offer an all-inclusive Platinum Plan, Lily Beach strives to
ensure couples and families can enjoy their long-awaited Maldivian holidays in
peaceful perfection.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa
VAKARUFULHI ISLAND
RESORT & SPA
Vakarufalhi has undergone some renovations over the
years, reinforced with coconut palm trees and green life. So, it’s truly a sight
to behold. The shores are filled with thick white sand while lagoon and bright
green vegetation add to the island’s beauty.
There is also direct beach access and the villas that are
highly spacious and equipped with facilities to pamper yourself. If you dropped
in with the family, then the pool villas, which offer dual-bedroom units, will
be perfect for your stay. The highlight of the Vakarufalhi Island resort is its
proximity to 35 sites for diving and snorkeling.
Vakarufulhi Island Resort & Spa
DUSIT THANI (BAA
ATOLL)
Discover the specialty of Thai hospitality in the
Maldives! The beautiful 5-star Dusit Thani Maldives is the second closest resort
in Baa Atoll to Hanifaru Bay – just five minutes away, making it one of
the best Maldives resorts for whale sharks. This five-star property has a huge
choice of nine villa categories, varying from luxurious beach villas with
private pools, beach residences and two bedroom over-water pavilions.Situated just 25 minutes via sea plane or 30 minutes by
domestic flight combined with a 10 minute speedboat journey will transport you
to the luxurious surrounds of Dusit Thani
Maldives. Underwater enthusiasts will enjoy discovering the great
house reef & complimentary snorkel hire.
Dusit Thani
AMILLA FUSHI (BAA
ATOLL)
Stay in ultra-luxury at the 5-star Amilla Fushi Resort in
Baa Atoll – one of the best Maldives resorts for whale sharks. Amilla Fushi Resort is
the third closest resort in Baa Atoll to Hanifaru Bay – just 10
minutes by boat. Here you will encounter beautiful whale sharks, gain knowledge
from the resident Marine Biologist & have your own personal Dive
Butler!
Amilla Fushi
SONEVA FUSHI
(BAA ATOLL)
Soneva Fushi is one of the most unique and environmentally conscious of all resorts in Maldives. Its only
10km away from Hanifaru Bay where you get to experience swimming around with
whale shark .One of the hardest creatures to find in Maldivian waters is also the biggest. Whale shark expedition will take you to the nearest point in South Ari Atoll, where you will be able to swim with the ‘gentle giants’ of the sea. It is something you will treasure for many years. They are huge, majestic, yet innocent and unique. Don’t miss the chance of a lifetime.
Soneva Fushi
VAKKARU MALDIVES (BAA
ATOLL)
Vakkaru Maldives is one of the many luxury island resorts in
Baa Atoll, which has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Furthermore, because the private island is located in Baa atoll, it is close to
the world-famous manta ray and whale shark watching area, Hanifaru bay. In
fact, the island will arrange excursions to Hanifaru Bay, where you can dive
with the world's friendliest whale sharks and socialize with manta rays while
feeding them.
Vakkaru Maldives
COCO PALM DHUNI KOLHI
(BAA ATOLL) A 5-star luxury eco resort perched in the south of
Baa Atoll, travellers can reach Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu by a 40 minute picturesque sea
plane flight. There is great snorkelling and a magnificent reef on the island.Daily trips to Hanifaru Bay from Coco Palm Dhuni
Kolhu, for your once in a life time swimming with whale sharks in Maldives
experience, run between July to November.
Coco Palm Dhunikolhu
FINOLHU (BAA ATOLL)
Just a 40 minute picturesque sea plane flight will put you
at one of Maldives most vibrant & hip islands… with its
chic-retro feels; Finolhu
Maldives.Finolhu
Maldives is 5-star resort is home of the beach bubble tent, along with
The Cove Club Spa, with 10 pastel-coloured treatment huts, each celebrating an
iconic diva of the 60s and 70s. Located 28 km south of Hanifaru Bay in Baa
Atoll, they can organise a visit with your own personal ‘Dive Butler’
who doubles as a Marine Biologist and knows the sites and perfect
conditions for sighting whale sharks.
Finolhu Maldives
WHALE SHARK FACTS
Get to experience swimming with Whale sharks in Maldives
Whales sharks are the largest fish in the world. They are
not whales; they are sharks. They have a lot in common with whales, though. For
example, they are massive like whales and they feed more like whales than a
typical sharkes the largest fish in the sea, reaching lengths of 40 feet or more, whale sharks have an enormous menu from which to choose. Fortunately for most sea-dwellers—and us!—their favorite meal is plankton. They scoop these tiny plants and animals up, along with any small fish that happen to be around, with their colossal gaping mouths while swimming close to the water's surface.The whale shark's flattened head sports a blunt snout above its mouth with short barbels protruding from its nostrils. Its back and sides are gray to brown with white spots among pale vertical and horizontal stripes, and its belly is white. Its two dorsal fins are set rearward on its body, which ends in a large dual-lobbed caudal fin (or tail).
