Marine Wildlife of the Maldives

• Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (Turkish gullet)
• Full-day whale shark safari included
• All meals included on-board

With a tropical climate, plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30C (86F) 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.

The Maldives covers a huge geographical area, weather can be sporadic and localised and with weather patterns changing globally, historical averages are less reliable.

For departures between May and October, temperatures are still warm, but rain showers are more likely, but even during this period there are also usually long spells of bright sunshine!

The changeover months between the two monsoon seasons (May and October/November) are more likely to offer the most unsettled weather and strong winds.

At any time of year, although it is more probable between May and October, the channels between each atoll can experience big swells and choppy waves if the weather is not favourable.

Diving is good year-round, although a basic rule is that reef life is more varied and visibility is better on the western side of any atoll from May to November and on the eastern side of any atoll from December to April.

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.

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Four. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip gradings or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.  

Suitability: This is predominantly a marine adventure. No certifications are necessary, but you should be comfortable in the water and a strong swimmer with the ability to swim unaided to participate in the ocean excursions. We take no health and safety risks and our expert staff monitor everyone's ability and ocean conditions to take appropriate measures for a wonderful time here.

Climate: The Maldives is tropical, which means it can get very hot and humid and you should be prepared for this. The Maldives can experience strong currents, even on the calmest of days and currents may change during a snorkelling activity. It is always possible we may encounter the occasional day of rough seas and therefore an ability to swim is required.

Itinerary: The itinerary listed is only a guideline and may be changed based on sightings to maximise the wildlife-viewing experience.

Snorkelling

Getting out of the water and back onto the boat involves a boat ladder. Snorkelling trips are generally for a minimum of 45 minutes in open water. This time is approximate and may be shorter due to ocean conditions or longer due to wildlife encounters. There is a support boat and always the option to get out of the water sooner.

There is a limited selection of snorkelling equipment available on board. However, we strongly recommend bringing your own to ensure comfort and fit. If you opt to use the snorkel equipment provided, you must keep the same equipment for the whole trip and not swap/share.

A new government policy strengthens protection for whale sharks, limiting the number of boats and people that can be in the water during an encounter and establishing a maximum time period of 15 minutes for each encounter. The introduction of rangers within SAMPA (the South Ari Marine Protected Area) will also support the enforcement of these regulations, ensuring a positive encounter for both whale sharks and tourists.