Grey Reef Shark in Maldivian Waters

The grey reef shark is a fascinating species of shark with a long, streamlined body. Spotting them underwater is one of the highlights of diving holidays in the Maldives. The reef sharks habitat is most commonly found around the coastal regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Scuba diving destinations where you can dive with them include the Maldives, the Red Sea, Australia, the Philippines and Madagascar. The grey reef shark tends to be found in shallow parts of the oceans and around coral reefs, where it hunts its prey. Its streamlined physique allows the grey reef shark to glide smoothly through the water, approaching unwary fish without warning.

There have not been many reports of grey reef shark attacks on divers and no attacks on humans in the Maldives have been reported.

Grey Reef Shark Facts

Grey reef sharks form part of the reef shark species – more specifically they are part of the requiem shark family – of which there are many, including the black tip reef shark and white tip reef shark; both of which can also be observed while scuba diving in the Maldives. All of these reef shark species are similar to the grey reef shark in that they have a slender grey body with a white underside, wide nose and big eyes. You can tell the grey tip reef shark apart from his family by his characteristic white-tipped dorsal fin, a dark grey-black stripe on his tail and his size – grey reef sharks are considerably bigger than their white and black-tipped cousins.

Grey Reef Shark Diet

The grey reef shark’s diet generally comprises small marine life including octopus, shrimp and many of the small fish species you would expect to find around a coral reef, where the grey reef shark spends much of his time hunting. The grey reef shark is a nocturnal animal, when they will be found hunting alone. The rest of the time, you will usually find grey reef sharks in groups, as they are quite social animals while not hunting. An adept hunter, the grey reef shark is able to lie very still on the ocean floor in wait of its prey and its acute sense of smell enables it to sense a potential meal from quite a large distance. When attacking the grey reef shark is an extremely quick swimmer – reaching speeds of around 18 meters per second – and its streamlined body helps for a very smooth line of attack.

A grey reef shark patrols the waters near a drop-off.

Grey Reef Shark Reproduction

The grey reef shark is one of the most widely-studied species of marine life in the Maldives and so we are fortunate to know a significant amount about grey reef shark populations and reproductive habits. The female grey reef shark can typically gives birth every two years and each litter has up to six pups. The time between conception and birth (gestation period) is approximately 12 months. When they are newborn, the grey reef shark babies are around 60 centimeters long and they reach their full length of around two meters after 7 years. The grey reef shark’s lifespan is around 25 years.

Thanks to its preference for shallow waters, and its aggressive nature, the grey reef shark has few natural predators. When attacked, the grey reef shark swings its head around, warning predators away.

Grey Reef Sharks in Maldives

The grey reef shark has been assigned the status of “near threatened” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature because in some parts of the world, it is hunted for its meat and the valuable shark fin is exported to China. Luckily, this practice is illegal and poaching remains relatively rare, though some incidents have been reported in recent years.

Other threats to the grey reef shark include general overfishing. To protect the species from extinction, it is important that shark hunting is monitored and fishing of the grey reef shark is limited where possible. Ideally, shark hunting should be banned altogether because most shark species are threatened by overfishing.

Thankfully, the Maldives announced a ban on shark fishing throughout its waters in March 2010 in an attempt to preserve and increase shark populations and consequently boost tourism to the country.

Many people are keen to know whether the grey reef shark is dangerous. While attacks have been reported, the good news is that such attacks are very rare and usually it is a case of a scuba diver or swimmer in the way of a very curious shark.

Maldives Reef Shark Diving

There are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving with grey reef sharks in the Maldives. One of the best sites for reef shark diving is Maaya Thila, in North Ari Atoll, where there are several different dive routes both for day and night diving. A Maaya Thila night dive is a great opportunity for you to see grey reef sharks while they are hunting alone, while during a day dive you are more likely to encounter them swimming in groups around the reef. This is also a great dive spot for seeing the white tip reef shark, as well as moray eels and octopus and countless coral-dwelling fish species. Many liveaboard divers will spend a day moored close to Maaya Thila, allowing them to take in a night-time, morning and afternoon dive, all of which will bring you in contact with different marine life.

Guraidhoo Kandu is another great dive spot, well known for its impressive grey reef shark populations, varied marine life and gorgeous coral heads. Located in the South Male Atoll, Guraidhoo Kandu is often visited on the way to or back from Maaya Thila on the same Maldives liveaboard cruise.

Elaidhoo Thila is another top diving attraction for Maldives reef shark diving; here you will find populations of white tip and grey reef sharks, amid groups of trevallies, nurse sharks and batfish. Like many dive sites in the Maldives, Elaidhoo Thila can be subject to strong currents and so is recommended for experienced scuba divers. Novices may be able to dive here when currents are calm.

More Grey Reef Shark Information

You can find more grey reef shark information online on the dedicated pages on pages like Wikipedia or MarineBio, where you will find a wealth of information related to all kinds of marine species. If you are looking for more information on reef shark diving in the Maldives, check out our recent blog post about it here.

Furthermore, you may be interested in “Maldives SharkWatch”, a research initiative launched by www.saveourseas.com. The page is set up for divers, fishermen and in general all tourists or visitors to the Maldives, who can assist in the study by reporting their personal shark sightings. In turn, contributers can obtain significant information about different species of sharks, and their whereabouts. Please check out the page here, and don’t hesitate to get involved!

For divers, one of the big attractions of the Maldives is the abundance of sharks, making it a great destination for shark diving holidays. There are many different varieties of sharks in the Maldives, the majority of which are harmless, which makes for a both spectacular and safe scuba diving experience.

Divers Snorkeling with Sharks in Maldives

There are more than 25 types of sharks Maldives, some of which I have detailed throughout this article and others which are less common. While there is no guarantee for divers that they will encounter a shark while in the Maldives, the abundance of these incredible creatures makes chances quite high and few divers leave the islands disappointed.

Whale sharks in the Maldives

Definitely the most sought after variety of Maldives sharks are the whale sharks. Because the abundance of whale sharks in Maldives is so well-known and Maldives whale sharks can be found throughout the year, the Maldives has become one of the most popular destinations in the world for swimming with whale sharks in Maldives. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, reaching lengths of around 40 feet and incredibly, they are very docile and friendly creatures, posing no threat to scuba divers. Diving with whale sharks Maldives is difficult and unusual because most whale shark encounters happen on the surface, so snorkeling or swimming with whale sharks Maldives is a better way to look for whale sharks in the Maldives.

Whale Sharks are Often Spotted in the Maldives

Many resorts offer Maldives snorkeling whale sharks safaris, where they take guests out for the day on a boat and look for signs of whale sharks. When you spot one, it’s time to don your snorkel and mask and jump in for a swim around with the whale shark. This can be a very long and time-consuming process and a better way of spotting the whale sharks Maldives is from Maldive liveaboards. Whale sharks can be quite elusive, so it often happens that you see one when you really aren’t looking. By taking a week-long trip on a Maldives liveaboard, during which time you’ll cruise the gorgeous waters of the archipelago, you’re more likely to spot whale sharks as you meander along and it will feel like a more natural sighting than if you are purposefully looking for them.

When it comes to whale sharks, everybody wants to know exactly when is the “best time to see whale sharks Maldives?” The answer is simple: the whale sharks Maldives season lasts all year round, although the area you visit in the Maldives will vary according to the time of year. A whale sharks diet consists mainly of plankton so the whale sharks habitat changes throughout the year depending on where the plankton is most abundant. For this reason, in the months of July and August, when plankton levels are high around whale sharks Baa Atoll, a great place to look for whale sharks Hanifaru is Hanifaru Bay. Additionally, there is the Maldives whale sharks Baa Atoll, which is a great place to look for manta rays at this time of year as they are also drawn to the plankton.

Not that much is known about the lifestyle of the whale shark, although it is known that numbers are in decline, partly because of the commercial fishing of whale sharks and trade of whale shark meat in some countries and the fact that in some places you might even find baby whale sharks for sale. Fortunately, in the Maldives, the threats to whale sharks have been recognised and the government has begun to protect them. They understand that the fact that whale sharks life in the Maldives is a great economic bonus for the country because of the numbers of tourists they attract.

Reef sharks in Maldives

If you’re interested in scuba diving with sharks in Maldives, you’re most likely to encounter reef sharks under water. There are several types of reef sharks Maldives, one of the most common of which is the grey reef sharks. Grey reef sharks in the Maldives are found living around the coral reefs and are most active at night when they are hunting. A reef sharks diet consists generally of smaller fish and they are savvy hunters, although there is no evidence confirming the question, are grey sharks dangerous to scuba divers. Grey reef sharks can reach lengths of about 6 feet long and usually have a grey back with a white belly.

Gray Reef Sharks

Another common variety of reef shark in the Maldives are white tip reef sharks, which is similar in size to grey sharks but is a paler shade of grey with a white tip on the end of their dorsal and caudal fins. Baby white tip sharks and their adult counterparts are also found around the coral reefs. While the reef sharks are the most commonly spotted in the Maldives, there are many threats to reef sharks because they are still hunted for their meat, their fins are exported to China and most importantly, they are not protected yet.

A Baby White Tip Shark in Maldives

Dangerous sharks in the Maldives

Many scuba divers and holiday makers alike want to know: are there dangerous sharks near the Maldives? The truthful answer is that no, there are not, and Maldives diving with sharks is quite the safe activity. Probably the most dangerous sharks in Maldives are the hammerhead sharks, although these are not particularly common and there have been no reports of hammerhead shark attacks in the Maldives.

Hammerhead sharks Maldives

In the Maldives, fortunate divers will come across several types of hammerhead sharks, mainly the scalloped hammerhead. These are not commonly sighted, but one dive site, Rasdhoo Kandu is the most common spot for finding them.

Zebra sharks

Lucky scuba divers might come across zebra sharks while diving in the Maldives. The zebra shark is not a particularly common shark but is quite stunning in appearance. Also known as the leopard shark, the zebra shark is a species of carpet shark and the zebra sharks behavior finds the creature usually moving around the seabed, close to the coral reef. Most of a zebra sharks prey is caught at night, since the shark is a nocturnal creature. A zebra sharks diet consists mainly of small fish and crustaceans.

Zebra Shark Sighting in the Maldives

These are just a handful of the shark types seen in the Maldives. Other species include the nurse shark, variegated shark, snaggletooth shark, silvertip shark, silky shark, tiger shark and sliteye shark, and many others, which together make the Maldives a great destination for shark-loving scuba divers. Check out the reef shark maldives lens on squidoo.

The Stunning Beaches are a Major Attraction of the Maldives

Many people will have heard of the exotic destination that is the Maldives, but few of us – unfortunately – have had the opportunity to visit. A quick look at some Maldives pictures will give you a good idea of what this faraway island paradise is all about; the stunning white-sand beaches, crystalline waters and luxurious accommodations are the stuff of glossy travel magazines and honeymoon dreams. Recently being named on the list of New Natural Wonders: Maldives has earned the country even more recognition as a stunning holiday location.

Travel to the Maldives

All visits to the Maldives begin at the Maldives airport since practically all tourists arrive by plane. Located in Male Maldives, the Maldives international airport is a modern facility, with direct flights to hundreds of cities worldwide.

There are many activities to enjoy while on a Maldives holidays, including Maldives diving, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, fly fishing Maldives or simply indulge in one of the many services offered at the spas in one of the many amazing Maldives resorts. Thanks to the amazing Maldives weather, any outdoor activity or water sport is a perfect way to while away the days on a Maldives holiday.

Weather in Maldives

Since the weather Maldives is one of the biggest attractions to the country, it’s not surprising that most of the year is sunny, with temperatures between 27 and 33 degrees Celsius throughout the year. While it is nearly always warm, the country is susceptible to heavy rainfall at some times of the year. The rainiest part of the year, which might be described as the “Maldives winter”, is between April and October and while visitors during this time might experience increased rainfall, it typically comes in short, heavy showers and is unlikely to last for days on end – although this is not unheard of. The driest months of the year, and logically, the best time to scuba dive in the Maldives, is between November and March.

Perfect Weather Maldives View from the Liveaboard Theia

Liveaboards in the Maldives

Maldives liveaboards are a great idea for scuba divers wishing to explore the underwater world of the Maldives. There are many Maldives diving safari options to suit all tastes and budgets. Some of the best-known Maldives liveaboard boats are Theia Maldives, MV Orion Maldives, Carina Maldives, Galileo Maldives, Black Pearl Maldives, Stingray Maldives and Dreamcatcher Maldives, all of which are operated by experienced liveaboard Maldives operators and offer a good Maldives liveaboard package variety, with trips usually ranging from 5 to 15 nights. Many customers enjoy the Maldives dive safari experience because it is an almost all-inclusive holiday, with all scuba diving and meals included and it’s a great way to meet other like-minded scuba divers. To find out if a diving safari Maldives is for you, take a look on the web and read a Maldives liveaboard review to see what other people are saying about the experience. If you think it’s something you’d be interested in, you can contact Maldives Dive Travel for more information about availability, safari dates and prices.

Scuba Diving in the Maldives

Maldives scuba diving holidays are a great choice when looking for your next scuba diving expedition. With literally hundreds of reefs and dive spots, you could go diving in the Maldives many times and never visit the same Maldives dive site twice. Scuba diving in Maldives offers a wide range of diving, including some challenging dives thanks to the sometimes strong currents and deep reefs and some impressive marine life.

Definitely the best way to get the most out of diving in the Maldives is to go on a Maldives safari on one of the many liveaboards, which will allow you to cruise around a selection of the best dive sites in Maldives without being limited to one small area of the archipelago. The islands of the Maldives cover an enormous area, to get an idea of the locations of the islands, take a look at a map of Maldives atolls.

Scuba Diving with Manta Rays at Hanifaru

Many people are nervous that Maldives diving prices will be very high, when in fact the actual cost of diving is comparable with any other diving destination. What can be expensive, of course, is the price of actually getting to the Maldives, but the diving is not so pricey, especially if you take a liveaboard diving holiday. The price of scuba diving holidays Maldives if you base yourself at one of the country’s resorts can be considerably more expensive. To get the best deal on Maldives diving holidays, try and find a last minute Maldives scuba diving holiday.

Marine Life in Maldives

The Maldives marine life is naturally one of the biggest attractions of this island nation for many visitors, especially those wishing to engage in some diving or other marine activity. Among the most impressive Maldives sea life are the Maldives manta rays and the whale sharks Maldives. There are also hundreds, if not thousands of Maldives fish species which range from the colourful parrotfish to the ugly moray eel.

The Maldives boasts World-Class Diving Holiday Destinations and Stunning Marine Life

You can find guides to the many types of fish found in the Maldives on all kinds of websites, including the Maldives Dive Travel website, which includes photos and descriptions of the many types of fish in the Maldives as well as tips on finding manta rays Maldives and handy hints like when is the best time to see whale sharks in the Maldives.

Learn More about the Maldives

There are many resources online that will help you find more information about the Maldives, including photos of Maldives, resources about Maldives dive sites, special offers on Maldives scuba diving prices, and links to other sources of information including the updated Maldives weather forecast, exchange rates for the Maldives currency the Rufiyaa. If you want to read about the daily occurrences in the Maldives, you might visit the site of the Haveeru News Maldives, the country’s daily newspaper and you will also find many a Maldives blog, filled with up-to-date information about all aspects of the country’s news. We also recommend you check out the lenses on squidoo.com, there is a great deal of helpful information on diving with mantas at hanifaru bay, as well as a comprehensive guide to the Maldives.

Whale Shark in the Maldives

Q: When is the Maldives whale shark season?

A: The Maldives are one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks all year round. The whale shark season in the Maldives between the months of November and March finds more whale sharks around the western atolls of the Maldives, whereas if you visit between April and October, they’re more likely to be found on the eastern side.

Q: Where is the best place to see a whale shark in Maldives?

A: The best place to see whale shark in Maldives depends largely on the season in which you visit. You’ll typically spot the whale sharks when you see a large group of birds descending on a patch of open water. At this point, you’ll get as close to the area as possible by boat and jump into the water to see if you can swim with the whale shark. It is very unusual to see a Maldives whale shark while scuba diving; most encounters are had while snorkeling. While the best place to swim whale shark Maldives does change with the seasons, if you have a chance to visit in July or August, one of the best places is Hanifaru whale shark.

Q: How should I behave when I swim with whale shark Maldives?

A: No matter how tempting it might be to touch these gentle, curious creatures, divers should never forget that a reef is no petting zoo. Whale sharks are remarkably calm creatures and swimming with them is an incredible and safe experience. Not to worry, nobody has ever been eaten by whale shark. Some people will talk of what happens when a diver in whale shark mouth and gets swallowed whole, and while this is probably technically possible, we can assure you it has never happened and is not something you should worry about! The Maldives boast one of the highest populations of whale sharks in the world and, thanks to the country’s climate, you can swim with whale shark in Maldives all year round.

Diving with Maldives Whale Sharks

Q: What does a whale shark look like?

A: The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and is simply an amazing creature to encounter in the water. Despite the name “shark”, a whale shark is indeed very docile and gentle. Most whale sharks grow to lengths of around 10 meters (about 32 feet), although the largest on record measured over 41 feet and a 40-foot whale shark is not uncommon. At its widest point, the mouth, the width of a whale shark is usually around 3 to 5 feet. Whale shark width remains fairly constant until halfway down the body, when the fish tapers off to a slender tail.

The appearance of whale shark is different from animal to animal; the patterns are the equivalent of the human fingerprint. You will see from looking at pictures of whale shark that typically the colour of whale shark is dark grey or black with white spots on their backs and a usually white underbelly.

As you might imagine, the whale shark is a very heavy creature, with most adult whale sharks reaching weights of around 20 tons.

Whale shark teeth are quite a force to be reckoned with: the average specimen has between 300 and 400 rows of tiny teeth – although fortunately these are used for filtering rather than biting.

Since whale shark reproduction has not been studied for long and while significant progress has been made in studying the whale shark mother and father, little is known about the young of the whale shark, so it is almost impossible to estimate baby whale shark weight, although a baby whale shark was found in the Philippines in 2009 measuring only 15 inches, which was possibly the smallest whale shark on record.

Q: What is the outer covering of a whale shark?

A: The outer skin of the whale shark is smooth to touch and can be around 3 inches thick. Nevertheless, it is important never to touch a whale shark, as the whale shark might get scared and swim away quickly, which can lead to injuries caused by their powerful fins and tails.

Q: Where does a whale shark live?

A: The whale shark habitat is made up of all the warm and temperate oceans. Because whale shark diets consist mainly of plankton, most habitats are found around areas of high plankton-density. Whale sharks are mainly diurnal creatures and it is unlikely that you will ever see a whale shark at night.

Diver Swims Past a Whale Shark in the Maldives

Q: What does a whale shark eat?

A: As a filter feeder, the whale shark diet consists mainly of plankton and small fish. As whale shark filter feeders, the many rows of teeth are used to filter out the larger fish and the whale shark simply feeds by opening its mouth and gliding through the water.

Q: What’s the best way to see whale sharks in the Maldives?

A: Most resorts and hotels in the Maldives offer whale shark snorkeling tours Maldives. Whale shark watching in Ari Atoll is a particularly popular excursion. The problem with day trips for whale shark watching Maldives from a resort is that you have a very limited chance of actually seeing one. For the best chance of swimming with a whale shark, a liveaboard diving trip is a great idea. Live aboard and whale shark diving is a brilliant way to spend a unique holiday and, since you’ll be on the boat for the duration of your trip, chances of whale shark diving are great. Maldives Dive Travel, a liveaboard holiday specialist, offers several Maldives whale shark package throughout the months of August and September each year, which is one of the best whale shark Maldives season – a great opportunity for seeing both whale shark and manta rays Maldives. Going on a Maldives whale shark safari on a liveaboard boat is really the perfect holiday if you love scuba diving or would like to learn scuba diving. Some operators, such as the Black Pearl have even gone so far as to offer “whale shark guaranteed” packages!

Q: Are whale sharks endangered species?

A: The population figures of whale sharks are unknown, but since they are victims of commercial fishing whale shark are considered “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the Maldives, there are several active projects to save whale shark in the Maldives, the most important being the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. To protect the species from becoming endangered, it is considered a protected species and commercial fishing is illegal, as is the trade of whale shark meat in the market.

Q: How can I learn more about whale sharks in the Maldives?

A: There is a lot of information about whale shark Maldives and Maldives whale shark diving online, including news and updates about whale shark season Maldives, conservation efforts and peoples’ reports about swimming and snorkeling with these amazing creatures. If you’re interested in whale shark diving Maldives, you should check out the whale shark maldives blog and you’ll be able to see loads of whale shark pictures, find out when is the best period whale shark Maldives and get the latest news on special offers for whale shark tours Maldives.

The Maldives has slowly but surely become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Whether you are looking for a scuba diving vacation, a liveaboard cruise in the Maldives islands, a romantic Maldives honeymoon, or simply looking to laze away your free vacation days on a warm sandy beach, the Maldives has it all! And not only do the Maldives provide great vacation packages Maldives for those chasing the sun, it offers an unforgettable experience in terms of culture, marine life and visually stunning locations.

Stunning View on Maldives Vacation

The Maldives Vacation Destination

The Maldives islands are located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 250 miles south-west off the coast of India. On your perfect Maldives vacation you will discover an island formation consisting of 26 atolls stretching in a north-south plane; In fact, it is not uncommon to find yourself completely alone on a small island or sandbank around the Maldives. Along with liveaboard cruises and scuba diving Maldives vacations, island hopping is almost as popular, with travellers left amazed at the gorgeous Maldivian scenery. Not many people are aware that the Maldives vacation islands are in fact the protruding summits of a vast underwater mountain range, comprising of over 1190 islets! Found just north of the equator, in terms of location, vacations in Maldives are simply put, the epitome of a tropical paradise.

The Maldives Vacation Weather

The weather during your vacation to the Maldives is one of the most appealing factors pulling visitors from around the world. A tropical island cluster just north of the equator, the vacation weather Maldives is delightful all year round – hot and humid days, warm, balmy nights and plenty of sunshine and warm water temperatures throughout.

There are two primary seasons dictating the weather in the Maldives; the dry season (also known as the winter north-eastern monsoon, between November and April) and the rainy season (known as the summer southwest monsoon, between May and October). The rainy season has the tendency for sudden thunderstorms and an increased probability of rain, however, it is not uncommon for tourists on their vacations to Maldives to experience several weeks without a drop of rain!

Vacation Weather in the Maldives

The Indian Ocean plays a big part in dictating the vacation weather for Maldives; the sea breeze keeps the air in motion, mitigating the heat and keeping the humidity relatively high. In addition, the ocean acts as a heat buffer, absorbing, trapping and gently releasing the heat.

Whereas the rainy season can be very temperamental, the dry season delivers the most popular weather conditions in the Maldives, for scuba diving vacations Maldives, romantic honeymoon vacations, liveaboard cruises and much, much more! The temperature for your vacation in Maldives ranges between a blissful 24°C and 33°C, with the annual rainfall averaging about 2540 mm in the North and 3810 mm in the South. The water temperature ranges between 22°C and 28°C on average, a fact that makes Maldives vacation destinations so appealing for scuba divers and underwater enthusiasts. Humidity averages at around 80% throughout the year, which completes the refreshing climate conditions for your ideal Maldives vacation package.

To see the current weather in maldives, or a detailed breakdown of weather statistics for maldives by month, check out our maldives weather page!

Maldives Vacation Activities

There is a reason why the Maldives vacation resorts are so popular; as a vacation destination it offers anything and everything you may desire, all wrapped up neatly in the paradise-like tropical environment that is the Maldives. There is all kinds of entertainment you can indulge; below we have outlined several popular vacation resort Maldives activities.

Maldives Vacation – Scuba Diving

Scuba divers from around the world swarm to the Maldives as it is a renowned diving hot spot, consistently ranked among the best dive sites around the world. No surprise really, based on the fascinating and diverse marine life, the stunning coral formations, their curious reef-dwelling inhabitants and the giant pelagic species that populate the depths of the Maldivian waters.

Scuba Diving with Manta Rays in the Maldives

For scuba diving vacation in the Maldives, the best time of year to visit is in November or in April. This time of year signifies the transition between the two monsoon seasons in the Maldives, and as a consequence guarantees the best visibility conditions under water.

We offer numerous vacation packages for Maldives, specifically tailored for scuba divers and diving vacations Maldives. The cost of Maldives vacations scuba diving can range drastically depending on time of year, dive sites, travel etc. The average cost for one dive is around 50$, excluding the price of travel. When diving several times a day at distant vacation dive sites in Maldives, the costs can add up to astronomical amounts! Fear not, there are plenty of cheap Maldives vacation packages on offer, providing you with a fully catered Maldives scuba diving vacation option. Prices for a Maldives liveaboard scuba diving vacation package including costs for accommodation, meals, travel, equipment, instructors and several dives a day, range between a mere 180$ – 220$ per person, per day. Also keep an eye out for last minute Maldives vacation offers, as well as last minute scuba diving vacation deals. A truly unforgettable experience, don’t let opportunity pass you by! For more information feel free to check out our cheap Maldives vacations packages.

Maldives Vacation – Marine Life

Another huge appeal of vacations packages for Maldives is the tremendous diversity in marine life. For many tourists visiting the Maldives for vacation purposes, the lure of spotting exotic sea creatures and the jaw dropping coral reefs are reason enough to spend a week exploring the nether regions of the Maldives on vacation.

See Breathtaking Marine Life on your Maldives Vacations

The greatest allure may be the high probability of swimming with sharks – literally! The Maldives marine life contains a diverse spectrum of fascinating creatures, ranging from whale sharks, manta rays, butterfly fish, barracudas and many, many more! Probably the most sought after experience on your vacation in Maldives, is the chance to swim with whale sharks and manta rays. Due to their intimidating features and sizes (whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet in length!) coupled with their calm, docile nature, the appeal of swimming in and around a group of whale sharks or manta rays can be a life-changing experience! Clearly a highlight of your vacation to the Maldives, make sure to experience the wonders of the Maldivian waters. For more photos and videos showcasing the astounding sea creatures of the Maldives, visit our page on Maldives marine life!

Whale Shark Trips are Popular for Maldives Vacations

Maldives Vacation – Liveaboard Cruises

Liveaboard diving cruises in Maldives are hugely popular for tourists on vacation in the Maldives. The vacation package Maldives liveaboard includes board, travel, equipment, meals, dive tutoring and several dive trips a day, at one of the many popular (or secluded – your choice) dive sites around the Maldives.

Enjoy your Maldives Vacation on the Luxury Liveaboard Theia

There is a wide range of liveaboard Maldives ships to choose from, ranging from small, basic boats (such as the Pretty Tombilli) for travelling to and from dive sites, to large luxury ships (like the Theia) with 8 cabins, multiple decks, bar facilities, and much more. Maldives vacation liveaboard packages may include staff, diving tutors and even other services like internet access! Researching online will throw up countless package vacations Maldives, offering all kinds of ships and services at various rates; for the absolute best deals on all available ships, check out our Maldives liveaboards page!

Find Out More About Vacations in the Maldives

Vacations in Maldives are increasing in popularity, due to the amazing conditions and activities the Maldives has to offer. There are countless resources you can utilise to your advantage when planning your Maldives vacation package; Our website www.maldivesdivetravel.com has plenty of information, tips and tricks for your Maldives vacation. Feel free to check out our pages on Maldives marine life, liveaboard cruises, scuba diving information, Maldives weather and many more! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us! We look forward to hearing from you!

For scuba divers visiting the Maldives, the manta ray is one of the biggest attractions. Considered one of the “Maldives Big Five”, scuba diving or snorkeling with manta ray Maldives is an exhilarating experience. The Maldives manta ray is the same species as all other manta rays in the world, despite the fact that people used to believe there were various species. Manta rays can reach weights of up to 5,000 pounds and can grow to have a wingspan of 25 feet. The Maldives is one of the best places in the world for manta ray diving and thousands of scuba divers come to the islands every year for the almost guaranteed manta ray sightings.

Check out these breathtaking clips below, taken on a recent cruise on M.V. Theia, one of our most popular liveaboards. Thanks to Gerrit Stock from Belgium for sharing this great footage with us!

Diving with Manta Rays

There are places to dive with manta ray across the globe, but when it comes to diving with manta rays in the Maldives, the best place to find them is at one of the many manta ray cleaning station Maldives, where the mantas gather to have the plankton removed from their grills by smaller fish. One of the best known cleaning stations is the Dhigu Thila cleaning station in the South Male Atoll. At this cleaning station and others, divers generally find a good place to rest – usually on the seabed (as long as there’s no coral – and just relax underwater while watching the manta rays go through their cleaning ritual.

Maldives Manta Rays Questions and Answers

People researching the manta rays of the Maldives have many questions about the appearance,habitat,diet of a manta ray, so we decided to put together a list of the most common questions people ask, to help people learn more about these amazing animals.

Where Does a Manta Ray Live?

Manta rays can be found throughout tropical waters around the world, especially in areas close to coral reefs. The manta ray habitat can be varied, as long as there is an abundance of plankton on which the manta can feed.

What Does a Manta Ray Look Like?

The manta ray appearance is absolutely fascinating and, apart from other rays, it is unlike any other animal in the world. These enormous, diamond-shaped flat animals have a smooth grey-black back with a unique set of markings. Their underside is white or spotted and is marked by a set of gills. They have large mouths, but manta ray teeth have disappeared with evolution, leaving only a row of vestigial teeth on the lower the jaw of the manta ray.

When is Manta Ray Season in the Maldives?

Divers can enjoy the opportunity of diving with a manta ray in Maldives throughout the year, but the areas frequented by the manta rays vary with the seasons. While little is known about manta ray migration Maldives, we know that during the Northeast Monsoon season, manta ray diving Maldives is best on the western side of the atolls, whereas during the Southeast Monsoon season, Maldives manta ray season is better on the eastern side of the atolls.

What Does a Manta Ray Eat?

The manta ray has evolved to be a filter feeder and the manta ray diet consists mainly of plankton and fish larvae. They catch their food simply by “flying” through the water, filtering the food they choose to eat through their gills and discarding the rest. Manta ray cyclone feeding is an interesting manta ray behavior that involves the rays grouping together in a spiral formation by which they disturb even more plankton for them to feast on. This phenomenon is most often witnessed at the famous Hanifaru manta ray dive spot.

What is the Largest Manta Ray on Record?

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest manta ray in the world has a wingspan of 9.1 metres (30 feet). Typically, manta rays grow to 20-25 feet, and the largest manta ray that most divers see in the Maldives measures around 18 feet.
This means that, the size of a manta ray compared to a human, is typically three times larger, so if you’re manta ray diving in Maldives and a manta swims over your head, you’re going to feel very small.

How Does a Manta Ray Protect Itself?

The manta rays size and swimming speed are its greatest defense mechanisms since it doesn’t have a sting in its tail. The biggest manta ray threat, apart from human beings, is sharks, and in the event that a manta ray is attacked by a shark and survives, it will then visit a cleaning station for the small fish to eat away any dead skin or other residue left by the shark.

What Eats a Manta Ray?

The various species of shark in the world are predators of the manta ray and unfortunately, also are humans. The manta ray is now protected in the Maldives, which stops people from being able to buy manta ray meat at the market and this is helping to increase chance of manta ray survival in the future.

What Part of the Ocean Does a Manta Ray Live In?

The manta ray lives in warm, tropical waters particularly in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. While the manta ray is known to swim quite deep, they are most commonly spotted in shallow waters, close to coral reefs, where they feed on plankton. In the Maldives, it is common to see manta ray Baa Atoll, which is a great place to witness the process of cyclone feeding manta ray indulges in. Specifically, this manta ray feeding frenzy can be seen during the months of July to October in the dive spot known as manta ray Hanifaru bay. This is definitely one of the best spots in the world to go diving manta ray. If you are very fortunate, you will see the mantas cyclone feeding, one of the most interesting manta ray behaviors. To see an amazing video manta ray chain feeding, check out this link.

How Many People Per Year Die from a Manta Ray?

The manta ray is one of the most peaceful creatures in the ocean and presents no risk to scuba divers or swimmers. Unlike the stingray, the manta rays’ tail no longer holds a harmful sting.

How Does the Manta Ray Protect Itself?

Being so large and quick, the manta ray has few predators except for large sharks and some whales, but unfortunately, the trade in manta ray meat means that they are very much hunted by humans and it is impossible for the manta to protect itself from being hunted.

Thankfully, conditions for manta ray in the Maldives are better than in many other places as the manta ray fish in the Maldives are protected and cannot be traded in the market. There is also an important manta ray project Baa Atoll called The Baa Atoll Resorts Marine Conservation Project that seeks to promote awareness about the conservation of manta rays and other endangered marine life. Also, while keeping manta ray creature in captivity might not sound like a protection method, the sea world manta ray enclosure is a great place for people to see manta rays up close, learn about them and the importance of protecting them.

The manta ray survivial status is not known because so little research has been done about them, but it is known that numbers in Japan, the Philippines and Mexico where they have been hunted severely are extremely low and they are rarely seen by scuba divers.

How Does a Manta Ray Hunt?

The life of the manta ray is a very peaceful affair, and their hunting style is no exception. As filter feeders, all the manta ray has to do is simply glide through the water, allowing food – mainly plankton, fish larvae and tiny fish – to enter his grill and filter out through his gills. Later, at the cleaning station, a manta ray waste removal procedure is carried out by other reef-dwelling fish.

How Can I Enjoy Manta Ray Diving Holidays?

There are loads of options for diving holiday Maldives manta ray, you just have to choose the type of holiday you want. Keen scuba divers will enjoy a liveaboard diving holiday with plenty of Maldives manta ray dives, whereas less experienced divers might choose to go manta ray snorkeling Maldives. Whatever you choose, the Maldives is one of the best places in the world to see these amazing giant manta ray Maldives and learn about the manta ray social behaviors and the lifestyle of a manta ray.

Hanifaru Bay is located in the Baa Atoll Hanifaru in the Maldives.  For several years now, Hanifaru Bay Maldives has become known as one of the prime dive spots in the world. diving Hanifaru Bay is so special because of the abundance of Hanifaru Bay manta rays.  The manta rays are attracted to Hanifaru Maldives because this area is home to incredible amounts of plankton.  The Hanifaru mantas, which are filter feeders that thrive on plankton, come to Hanifaru to feast on the zooplankton.  What makes Hanifaru diving even more special is that when the Maldives mantas Hanifaru Bay gather to eat the plankton, there can often be more than 200 manta rays, and they gather in a frenzy of feeding action, swirling around in the water and gobbling up the delicious plankton.

See our Maldives 2011 Summer Specials for Hanifaru Dive Trips

Manta Ray Feeding Frenzy at Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives

When learning about Hanifaru Bay Malediven, the first thing to know is where is Hanifaru Bay.  A quick look at a Hanifaru map will show you that Hanifaru Maldive is located in the Maldives, which are in the Indian Ocean, close to India.  More specifically, Hanifaru Bay, Maldives is located in the northern area of the Maldives and the best way to visit Maldives Hanifaru is by liveaboard Hanifaru Bay.  The Hanifaru Atoll is located quite a distance away from some of the more popular atolls in the Maldives, so diving Hanifaru can be difficult if you’re not staying in the hotels near Hanifaru Bay. While it is possible to stay at one of the luxurious Hanifaru resorts like Hanifaru Royal Island, or perhaps at one of the cheap hotels near Hanifaru Bay, by going on a Hanifaru liveaboard, you will cruise around the Hanifaru Bay Baa Atoll, visiting nearby dive sites and sleeping on the liveaboard Hanifaru.  This way, you will be close to Hanifaru tauchen when you are ready to dive Hanifaru, and if you have to wait for the right conditions, you will be close to Hanifaru thila.  On another note, there really are not that many resorts near Hanifaru Bay for you to choose from apart from the Royal Island Hanifaru, so if you’re interested in spending time in a resorts near Hanifaru, you’d be better off choosing a resort somewhere else in the Maldives and making a two-centre holiday that would include a liveaboard to Hanifaru plus a few nights in a deluxe resort, allowing you to experience the two best parts of this amazing country.

Hanifaru Bay Liveaboard Cruises

There are many different Hanifaru liveaboards to choose from, all of which offer onboard accommodation and dive trips to Hanifaru Baa Atoll on a separate dive boat, known as a dhoni.  You can choose the perfect Maldives liveaboard Hanifaru for your Hanifaru Bay diving trip based on your budget and your personal taste. MS Stingray Hanifaru is a great option for a Hanifaru cruise if you’re looking for a more economical Hanifaru diving trip.  You can expect to pay around $180-$200 per person per night on a Hanifaru bucht like the MS Stingray, which includes all meals and Hanifaru tauchsafari diving.  It does not include the price of the flights to the Maldives.  Holidays in Hanifaru island Maldives need to be a bit longer than some Maldives diving trips because Hanifaru reef is quite a distance from the city of Male.  When researching what dive boats go to Hanifaru Bay, you will also find trips on Hanifaru Theia, Black Pearl + Hanifaru  and Hanifaru MV Orion, both of which are more upmarket Hanifaru Maldives liveaboard.  These Hanifaru Bay safari ships are more akin to super cruisers that you might see sailing the Caribbean or the French Riviera and offer a level of luxury for your Hanifaru accommodation that will make your Hanifaru Bay Maldives diving trip a real holiday to remember.

See our Maldives 2011 Summer Specials for Hanifaru Dive Trips

The most commonly asked question about Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atol Maldives is when is the best time to visit Hanifaru rah to be in with the best chances of diving in Hanifaru with manta ray Maldives Hanifaru and whale sharks Hanifaru. Manta ray Hanifaru and whale sharks manta Hanifaru Bay are attracted to the malidiven Hanifaru Bay because of the large amounts of plankton that appear in Hanifaru Bay tauchen at certain times of the year.   The Hanifaru reef Maldives is best visited in the months of July and August each year, when the Hanifaru plankton bloom is most prolific.  Still, a visit on any July or August day to Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives does not guarantee that you will see the amazing feeding frenzy.  That is why we recommend visiting on a Hanifaru Bay liveaboard, so if conditions are not perfect, you can go and enjoy a nearby Hanifaru dive and then return to Hanifaru Island when conditions are improved.  Many people also want to know how long feeding frenzy last Hanifaru, and the answer is that it can vary dramatically, typically the Hanifaru manta ray congregation lasts for around an hour or until the mantas Hanifaru have eaten all the plankton.

Theia offers Dive Safaris to Hanifaru Bay

See our Maldives 2011 Summer Specials for Hanifaru Dive Trips

There is a good variety of Hanifaru dive sites to choose from, so while you are waiting to enjoy the real “feeding frenzy”, you can still be exploring the opportunities to dive Hanifaru Maldives.  Very close to where is Hanifaru Maldives, you will find a cleaning station popular with the Hanifaru Maldives manta rays and whale sharks, where you can often see up to 5 manta rays having their gills cleaned out by smaller fish.

Once you have decided to go on Hanifaru holidays, you will not look back.  Travelling to Hanifaru Maldives, for many will be the highlight of a life of diving.  Nowhere else on earth can you find as many manta rays as you will find in the Baa Atol, Hanifaru, and because of a recent move to protect Hanifaru manta rays in the Hanifaru malediven area, it is hoped that diving in Hanifaru Bay will remain one of the most amazing Hanifaru Maldives diving spectacles in the world for many years to come.  So, in short, if you have the opportunity to go to Hanifaru, you should not pass it up!

When looking to reserve your Maldives holidays Hanifaru Bay, you will find a wealth of information on the internet.  Maldives Dive Travel Hanifaru offer a wide selection of Hanifaru Bay trips, including a choice of Hanifaru discovery safaris that typically depart in July and August of each year, which is the Hanifaru best season in terms of diving with manta rays and whale sharks.  On the website, you will find plenty of Hanifaru photos, Hanifaru Maldives map, information about Baa Atoll diving in Hanifaru Bay and about the cost to go to Hanifaru Bay.  Also on the website, you can reserve a maledivy diving Hanifaru adventure on one of many liveaboards in Hanifaru protected marine area and if you’re looking for up-to-date information about Hanifaru Bay – Maldives, you can check out the regularly updated Maldives diving blog Hanifaru.  There are also plenty of resources on Facebook, including a Hanifaru Maldives dive travel Facebook page and a Hanifaru facebook Theia liveaboard page, which allow you to connect directly with other divers and share your personal experiences with other interested travelers as well as finding out about exclusive offers on Hanifaru trips and holidays in Hanifaru Maldives.

See our Maldives 2011 Summer Specials for Hanifaru Dive Trips

If you would like to book a dive safari to the Maldives please check out our diving liveaboards or contact us.

Take a virtual tour of the upper and top deck as well as the dive boat of luxury liveaboard Theia in the Maldives.

This scuba dive cruise report, made on board MV Orion between the 15th and 26th November 2010 may give you a taste about famous dive sites Maldives and diving from a liveaboard in Maldives.

Diving starts in the early morning and makes your breakfast on board after the dive extremly tasty. After having a rest on board, the second dive starts before lunch - maybe whale shark watching in ari atoll? Dive number three is usually offered in the afternoon, in between the dives you have plenty of time to enjoy the comfort on maldives diving liveaboard MV Orion, one of the best Maldives dive safari boat. This is the latest scuba dive cruise report:

16/11 – Kurumba HR (N.MALE) – White tips, eagle ray`s
             - Lankan Manta Point (N.MALE) – 3 manta ray`s on cleaning station. 2 hawkbills

17/11 – Rasdhoo Blue (RASDHOO) – 17 hammerheads @ 28m. 1 swam around whole group.
                Oceanic eagle ray
              - Rasdhoo Madivaru (RASDHOO) – white tip shark`s, jacks, trevallys, napoleon, 5 grey reef
                shark`s @ corner
              - Gangehi Beyru (N.ARI) – after snorkelling with manta ray`s. tunas, napleon, white tip shark`s

18/11  - Miyaruga Thila (N.ARI) – 3 grey reef shark`s, juvenile white tips, bat fish, trevally…
              - Hafusha Thila (N.ARI) – aquarium dive no current. lots of white tip shark`s, trevally,
                juvenile eagle ray swam with us  for nealy 10mins
              - Maaya Thila (N.ARI) – 3 grey reef shark`s, white tip sharks`s, turtle`s, sting ray
              – Maaya Thila (N.ARI) - nite dive: sting ray directly under boat, hunting moray`s, white tips,
                1 juvenile grey reef shark, turtle`s

19/11  - Fish Head (N.ARI) - Jacks, trevallys, turtles, sting ray, 2 grey reef shark`s
              - Dega Thila (S.ARI) – yellow paper scorpion fish, jacks, trevallys, turtle, bat fish, white tip sahrk
              – Radhdhiggaa Thila (S.ARI) – baracudas, white tips, bat fish, tunas, nudibranch`es, flatworms…

20/11  – Machchafushi Wreck (S.ARI) – guitar shark @ 30m, sting ray`s, bat fish…
              – Snorkeling with whale sharks @ Maamigili Beyru – check out the Video
              - Holiday Island (S.ARI) – 1 whale shark, 25mobulae, turtle`s, white tip shark`s
              – Ariyadhoo Beyru (S.ARI) – snappers, sweetlips, napoleon…

21/11  - 5 Rocks (S.ARI) – strong current, crossed from main reef. big napoleon, giant baracuda,
                tunas, white tip shark`s..
              - Kuda Giri Wreck (S.MALE) – brown paper scorpionfish, jacks, trevallys, tunas, nudibranches…
                Traveling back to Male….

23/11  - Lankan Manta Point (N.MALE) – 6 manta ray`s on cleaning station, plus another 7 around station.
              – Feydhoo Finolhu (N.MALE) – nice wall dive, drift dive. green sea turtle
              – Maaya Thila (N.ARI) - lots of white tip shark`s hunting on top reef, along with 2 giant morays
                 fighting each other. Black spotted sting ray on top reef. 2 Hawksbill turtle`s and a cuttlefish

24/11  - Hafusha Thila (N.ARI) – Straight down to top reef, 6 adult grey reef shark`s, 1 pregnant, and
                1 juvenile grey reef shark, white tip shark`s, dog tooth tunas
              – Fesdu Wreck (N.ARI) – garden eels, nudibranch`es, white tip
              – Fish Head (N.ARI) - 5 grey reef shark`s with 4 white tip shark`s and 2 napoleon`s with hawksbill. lots of trevally
                and giant trevally, some sting ray`s in overhangs. end of dive 2 grey reef shark`s on top reef.
25/1 1 – Omadhoo Thila (S.ARI) – tunas, red snappers, sweetlips, soft corals
              - Black Coral (S.ARI) – turtle, sting ray, moray eal`s, black coral bushes, juvenile white tip shark`s
              - Dega Thila (S.ARI) – sting ray`s, overhangs, trevally, no leaf fish

26/11  - Radhdhiggaa Thila (S.ARI) – grey reef shark`s, soft corals, sea fans, trevally…
              - Snorkelling with 2 whale sharks – check out the Video
              - Maamigili Beyru (S.ARI) – 1 whale shark on the dive!
              – Kudarah Thila (S.ARI) - short headed anemone shrimps, blue stripped snapper`s,
                seafan`s, soft corals

sounds good?

This could be your scuba diving holidays in maldives. See more details about the comfortable maldives diving liveaboard MV Orion here … We are happy to be at your service in case you have more questions or if you want to place your booking for your scuba dive cruise in Maldives.

MV Orion is one of the best Maldives liveaboards and offers a sensational last minute price for maldives diving holidays.

seven nights on board for the price of five nights
only US $ 1,495  per person

MV Orion is brand new - Nitrox free of charge on board

The MV Orion is a brand new, luxurious super cruiser eager to chaperone guests to some of the Maldives most alluring dive sites. When on board, guests can enjoy a library, bar, jacuzzi and top of the line massage services. Nitrox, all dives and full board accommodation are included in the package price.

MV Orion Maldives private deck for the Executive Suite

Stay seven and pay only five nights is valid for all bookings from 19 Nov 2010 for the following cruise dates:

29 Nov  – 6 Dec 2010
6 – 13 Dec 2010
13 – 20 Dec 2010
3 – 10 Jan 2011
10 – 17 Jan 2011
17 – 24 Jan 2011
24 – 31 Jan 2011

only US $ 1,495  per person

MV Orion Maldives diving boat

Check-in, check-out:
Cruise start and end is in Male. Meeting for transfer to the boat is at 1200 noon in Male airport on cruise start day. You will have checked out by 10:00am latest on the last day of the cruise.  Take these times into account when booking flights to and from the Maldives.

This last minute offer will sell out fast, so book your maldives diving vacation now and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy terrific diving and cruising in the Maldives at an unbeatable price!

We are happy to be at your service in case you have more questions or if you want to place your booking:

contact us now!