Whale sharks are year-round residents in Maldives, tending to favor the western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December, then heading to east until April.
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What is the best month to swim with whale sharks?
Best Time to Swim with a Whale Shark. The good news is that the likelihood of swimming with a whale shark on your first tour is around 95% success rate from very late March to late July each year.
When can you swim with whale sharks?
Swim with the largest fish in the ocean, the Whale Shark, every year between mid-March and mid-July in the Ningaloo Marine Park following the mass spawning of coral. Tours are accessible from Coral Bay and Exmouth on Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef.
Can you swim with sharks in the Maldives?
There is no “shark week” in the Maldives quite simply because you can spot these majestic marine beasts in the archipelago’s waters throughout the year. Amongst the most breath-taking experiences to have, for any diver, is to swim in the open sea with sharks.
Where can I see whale sharks in Maldives?
For those keen on spotting whale sharks in the Maldives, the best option is to secure a base hotel/resort in the South Ari Atoll as the region is renowned as a whale shark hotspot and will give you easy access to the local whale shark tour packages or the opportunity to organise your sighting tour from the hotel itself
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks?
Booking a swim with the whale sharks costs about $60 to $100 and is possible online or in person.
Can you swim with whale sharks in December?
Whale shark season in the Galapagos Islands
The best time to swim with whale sharks in the Galapagos is during the dry season, which takes place between June and December.
What is the best time to go to Ningaloo Reef?
When is the best time to visit Ningaloo reef? Ningaloo Reef has something to offer all year round, but the absolute best weather months (in our opinion) are mid March, May, June, September and October. In these months the water is warm, weather patterns are consistent and it’s not too busy.
Has a whale shark ever swallowed a human?
During the dive, the largest whale shark in the area began to act differently. It appeared to be swimming directly at divers with its mouth wide open.The diver recalls being hit hard by the whale shark. Then the diver was sucked into the mouth of the whale shark — head first — and half-swallowed up to her thighs.
What time of year are whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef?
When’s the Best Time To Swim with Whale Sharks? Whale Shark season at Ningaloo Reef runs from March to July, although it’s also common to see whale sharks in the area until as late as August. From April onwards, hundreds of manta rays congregate in the area, and from June humpback whales even start to appear.
Are there no sharks in Maldives?
There are no great white sharks in the Maldives as great whites prefer cooler waters. The waters around the Maldives are 28-30°C (82-86°F) and great white sharks prefer coastal and offshore waters with water temperatures between 12-24°C (54-75 °F) instead.
Is it safe to swim in the water in the Maldives?
You are much safer in the Maldives than you would be at home – you are from Cyprus, in the Med, where they have Great White sharks! Don’t worry about the small reef sharks. They REALLY aren’t interested in you. The only rays to worry about are the ones burning your skin, even if you are Cypriot.
Can you swim with the whales in Maldives?
In Maldives, you can spot these gentle giants swimming through the currents of the ocean, most popular in South Ari Atoll.
Can you see whale sharks in the Maldives in March?
Whale Sharks & Manta Rays – South Ari Atoll
The sightings are excellent year-round with a peak time from August to November.You may also spot manta rays in South Ari during the northeast monsoon from September/October to May (the peak viewing time is February – April).
Can you see whales in Maldives?
Larger whales are not especially common, but blue whales are seen regularly as they migrate through the Maldives during November to May. In contrast, humpback whales are most commonly observed during June to October. The Maldives atoll chain runs some 800km north to south.
Is it worth it to swim with whale sharks?
Yes, Whale Sharks are considered a part of the shark family, but no, Whale Sharks are not dangerous. These gentle giants are very docile and extremely agreeable to swimming alongside humans. In fact, they are not very shark-like at all. They feed on plankton, krill, fish eggs, and some deep-sea fish.
Has anyone been killed by a whale shark?
Whale sharks are extremely docile and there are no records in history of humans being attacked, or eaten, by one. They can reach up to 14 metres long, and weigh more than 12 tonnes – making them the largest fish in the entire ocean.
Is it safe to swim at Ningaloo Reef?
Australia’s other great reef, the Ningaloo Reef offers some of the most accessible coral reef snorkeling in Australia.While the current can be dangerous for weaker swimmers, moderate to strong swimmers with the aid of snorkeling fins will find that there is a lot to see.
Why is it illegal to touch a whale shark?
Whale sharks are slow moving animals, but they are so big it will appear they are moving fast. Divers can expect that the whale sharks may swim right up to them and must pay close attention at all times.It is illegal to touch a whale shark, so make sure to swim out of the way if one swims toward you.
Where is the best place to dive with whale sharks?
Seven Best Places to Swim with Whale Sharks
- Holbox, Mexico and Isla Contoy, Mexico.
- Gladden Spit, Belize.
- Tanzania.
- Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines.
- Utila, Honduras.
- Australia.
Why can’t you scuba dive with whale sharks?
Are you allowed to scuba dive with the Whale Sharks? No, you are not. In fact, because the Whale Sharks and mantas remain at the surface in order to feed, you can get in the water with nothing more than a pair of fins and snorkel gear.
