Do's & Don'ts Before Diving with Whale Sharks in Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
Mon Feb 26 2024
Dreaming of a luxurious holiday getaway while swimming with the whale sharks? Your dream is about to come true! Discover the magnificent creatures in the best whale shark diving Maldives and other great activities that you will enjoy.
Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, a little over 350 meters in length, provides an ideal Maldivian island experience. This resort, partially covered by thick flora, surrounded by white sand beaches, and flanked by a stunning house reef teeming with various species, quickly reconnect visitors with nature. Consistently, its contemporary amenities and first-rate customer service guarantee that no luxury is overlooked, allowing you to enjoy, explore, and unwind all at once.
You can also enjoy great activities such as pampering yourself in the spa, tantalizing your palate with six different dining options, working up a sweat in the gym, unwinding in the yoga pavilion, or taking to the waves for watersports of all kinds, indulging in scuba diving, or experiencing the most desired whale shark diving in the Maldives.
To make the most of your visit, here is a comprehensive guide dedicated to the gentle sea giants and the resort.
Indulge In an Extreme Adventure at Outrigger Maldives
The Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is situated in South Ari Atoll, a 25-minute seaplane ride from Male. Despite its ease of access, Outrigger Maafushivaru has a desired tiny island character that is enhanced by contemporary architecture with unique finishing touches, such as elegant luxury homes lovingly outfitted with must-have mod-cons. Choose from unique beach views or unbroken panoramas across the boundless blue lagoon to construct your ideal haven from which to explore Maafushivaru's breathtaking surroundings.
Guests may indulge in a variety of extreme adventures as well as luxurious food throughout their stay. The resort's devoted staff can adapt activities precisely to your individual interests and preferences, delivering the ultimate holiday experience whether you want to be adventurous or relaxed. Outrigger Maafushivaru has you covered for everything from chartered cruises with no other people in sight to diving amid South Ari's lush coral reefs.
Be Thrilled: Swim Closely with The World's Largest Fish in the Maldives
A whale shark swimming near you is a thrilling encounter, and a moment you will never forget, weighing up to 30 tons and measuring around the length of a truck (18 meters/59 ft). However, before this exciting adventure, here are some fascinating facts about this friendly sea giant:
A Majestic and Gentle Sea Giants
Whale sharks are magnificent and gentle aquatic animals. They are the biggest known fish, weighing up to 20 tons and stretching the length of a truck.
They are by far the biggest existing nonmammalian vertebrate and the single member of the genus Rhincodon, as well as the only extant member of the Elasmobranchii clade, a subclass of the Chondrichthyes, which includes sharks and rays.
Fear Not: Whale Sharks have No Teeth to Bite or Chew
Whale sharks, although having mouths up to 1.5 meters long and 4 feet broad, cannot bite or eat. They are filter feeders with no teeth but have armless gill rakers, a bristly cartilage structure that helps them to ingest plankton and small nektonic food like tiny shrimps and fishers by suction filtering through their gills. Therefore, there is no reason to be afraid because they do not pose any danger to humans.
Gentle Sea Giants Need Protection
Whale sharks, like Manta rays, were targeted for their skin and liver oil until becoming protected in the Maldives and a few other nations. This indiscriminate slaughter has resulted in a swift and significant fall in their numbers all across the world.
Today, whale sharks are now classified as an endangered species. Because of their delayed reproduction, lack of habitat, and risk of being killed by people, these gentle sea giants are on the verge of extinction; these gentle sea giants need our protection.
Fishing whale sharks is now almost totally prohibited due to local regulations and initiatives, as well as the global campaign of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Show the Love: Tips for Whale Shark Diving
Before the most awaited whale shark encounter, you must show your love by knowing the list of Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) Guidelines.
No Touching
As part of respect, it is important not to touch the whale shark. Though these giants are not a tactile species and will most likely leave the encounter if you touch it, avoid touching.
Keep Distance
Keeping a distance of approximately 3 meters from the body and 4 meters from the caudal fin of the whale shark is an act of affection to them. If you approach the whale shark too closely, it may view you as a danger and abandon the engagement. Leaving enough space between yourself and the shark allows it to escape and change course easily.
Do Not Obstruct
Swimming in front of the shark may be enticing in order to grab that ‘gram photo of that gigantic mouth, but this might lead the friendly marine creature to become evasive and abandon the encounter, so do not do it.
Do Not Disturb
To minimize needless disruption, keep at least 20 meters away from the whale shark.
Keep Quiet
Enter the water from a sitting position to limit noise, and keep noise to a minimum while in the water. Whale sharks have the largest eardrums in the animal kingdom; therefore, they must be sensitive to noise.
Be Part of the Ocean: Preparation Before Swimming with Whale Sharks
If you love the ocean and are interested in whale sharks, you may become one of the volunteers for research, joining a team of committed researchers and community charity workers. Participation fees will be collected and donated to whale shark conservation and marine sustainability.
How to Avail and Things to Prepare?
If you wish to participate in the program, you must first book a dream accommodation through Maafushivaru Resort all inclusive. You must also be at least 18-year-old. In rare situations, the team may accept applications from 16- and 17-year-olds if they are accompanied by a guardian.
Volunteer fees, which cost $2,499 USD per person, are an important part of this experience. It covers food and drink, as well as the research vessel and guidance. So, all you need to prepare is yourself and the desire to be one with the water.
Get Ready for Your Day!
To set your expectation, here is a sample day program for you. Get ready and enjoy your day with the gentle sea giants!
Breakfast at 7:30 A.M.
Boat Survey and Swimming with the Whale Sharks at 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Return to Felicity at 4:00 P.M.
Data Entry at 5:00 P.M.
Dinner at 7:00 P.M.
Connect to Other Sun and Sea Activities at Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
The Maldives, a one-of-a-kind network of almost 1200 islands, is ready for exploration. Maafushivaru Resort will connect you with activities that will take your holiday to the next level, such as spa treatments, scuba diving, and paddleboarding.
Match your Charm with the Natural Beauty of the Maldives
Navasana Spa is intended to help you achieve your optimal state of well-being to match that charm in you with the natural beauty of the island. Voya and Yonka, our unique product line, employs hand-harvested seaweed to deliver organic treatments to our visitors that are environmentally friendly.
Try New – An Underwater Journey
Excursions-Explore the totally magnificent and thriving underwater ecosystem surrounding South Ari Atoll. We provide quiet cruises to see stunning sunsets, exploration expeditions to surrounding islands, and exciting fishing adventures.
Take Advantage of the Waters
Take advantage of the magnificent turquoise seas. Whether you enjoy parasailing, jetskiing, or fun rides, there is something for everyone to satisfy their adventurous spirit.
Do It Your Own Water Adventure
As an adventurous person, Maafushivaru offers customized water activities. To quench that thrill in you, choose from guided night snorkeling, snorkeling lesson, and guided house reef snorkeling. It is worth a try!
Delight your Taste Buds
Outrigger Maafushivaru offers a variety of culinary delights to tantalize your taste buds. Each of the six dining options has a distinct theme, ranging from delectable buffets to the ultimate a la carte experience of your choice. Cielo is the resort's finest fine dining destination, while Cuisine Galley offers live cooking stations and a wide range of international specialties. Umi serves Japanese fusion cuisine, and Moodhu serves wonderful grilled dishes. The Library Lounge, with its informal hammocks and comfortable sofas, provides a variety of delicious sweet delicacies and specialty coffees, while the Water Bar is ideal for a sundowner.
Make your Holiday Special with the Whale Shark Adventure
The Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is a spectacular destination for divers, snorkelers, and watersport enthusiasts alike. Boasting sun-swept island beach and sandbar surrounded by tropical blue waters, it is easy to appreciate the tropical splendor of the Maldives. Book at www.maldivesexclusive.com to make your holiday special with the whale sharks.
