Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme

If you are looking for paradise on earth, we may have found it: In the middle of the Indian Ocean, in the western part of the Maldives, lies the South Ari Atoll, a place so beautiful that it will instantly take your breath away. The water changed from deep sapphire blue to bright turquoise. The reef surrounding the atoll is teeming with life and apart from a few small islands in the distance, there is nothing around you but the tempting open ocean.

To experience this magical place while supporting marine research, the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme is the team we were just looking for. We spend our days searching for whale sharks, collected conservation data with passionate people, enjoyed a little snorkeling tour around midday to get back in the evening to a beautiful sailboat that we called home for the duration of our stay.

And with any luck, you’ll end up returning home just like we did with a handful of new friends from around the world and lifelong memories of endless swimming with whale sharks and breakfast snorkeling with manta rays right next to your boat.