🐠 Maldives Marine Life Spotter Guide
Discover when and where to spot incredible marine species in the Maldives. From majestic whale sharks to playful dolphins, plan your underwater adventure.
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The world's largest fish, reaching 12m. Gentle giants feeding on plankton. South Ari Atoll offers 95% sighting rate year-round.
Reef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
Graceful rays with 5m wingspan. Hanifaru Bay hosts the world's largest manta feeding aggregation - up to 200 individuals!
Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas / Eretmochelys imbricata
Green and Hawksbill turtles are abundant. Seen grazing on seagrass or resting under coral. 99% sighting rate!
Spinner Dolphin
Stenella longirostris
Named for acrobatic aerial spins up to 7 rotations! Most common dolphin, pods of 50-200 in atoll channels.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Most recognizable dolphin, known for intelligence and curiosity. Often approach boats and swimmers. 3-4m length.
Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba
Beautiful dolphins with blue and white stripes. Known for spectacular high leaps and bow-riding at high speed.
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Stenella attenuata
Sleek dolphins covered in distinctive spots that increase with age. Fast swimmers performing aerial displays.
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseus
Large dolphins with distinctive white scarring from squid encounters. Prefer deep water. A rare and special sighting!
Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Small, timid sharks with black-tipped fins. Often seen in shallow lagoons near beaches. Harmless and skittish.
Grey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The quintessential reef shark of the Maldives. Sleek and elegant, often seen patrolling channel entrances in groups.
Tawny Nurse Shark
Nebrius ferrugineus
Docile bottom-dwellers resting under coral overhangs by day. Nocturnal hunters that become active after sunset.
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Iconic hammer-shaped heads. Found in schools at deep sites during early morning dives. Bucket-list sighting!
Spotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus narinari
Beautiful rays with white spots on dark blue backs. Often gliding gracefully over sandy bottoms near channels.
Blue-Spotted Stingray
Taeniura lymma
Small, colorful rays with electric blue spots. Often resting on sandy patches or hiding under table corals.
Maldivian Clownfish
Amphiprion nigripes
Endemic to the Maldives! Found in magnificent sea anemones. Orange and black coloring makes them a snorkeling favorite.
Napoleon Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
One of the largest reef fish with distinctive forehead bump. Friendly and curious, often approaches divers.
Giant Moray Eel
Gymnothorax javanicus
The largest moray species reaching 3 meters. Usually found hiding in reef crevices with head visible, mouth breathing.
Common Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Spectacular striped fish with fan-like fins. Venomous spines - admire from distance! Night dives are spectacular.
No species found
Try adjusting your search or filters.
🌊 Responsible Marine Life Encounters
Help us protect the Maldives' incredible marine ecosystem
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate which damage coral reefs.
No Touching
Never touch marine life or coral. Even gentle contact can cause harm.
Keep Distance
Stay 3+ meters from whale sharks and mantas. Let them approach you.
No Flash Photography
Flash can startle and stress marine animals. Use natural light only.
Take Only Photos
Never collect shells, coral, or any marine souvenirs from the ocean.
💡 Pro Tips for Amazing Encounters
Best Time of Day
6-8am for hammerheads. Afternoon for manta cleaning stations. Dusk for hunters.
Follow the Currents
Incoming tides bring plankton attracting whale sharks and mantas.
Book Multiple Days
Weather changes daily. Multiple trips increase your chances significantly.
Underwater Camera
GoPro or waterproof phone cases capture incredible memories.
📅 What Will I See? Select Your Travel Month
📅 Marine Life Sighting Calendar
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Shark | G | G | G | G | P | P | P | P | P | P | G | G |
| Manta Ray | G | G | M | M | G | P | P | P | P | P | G | G |
| Sea Turtle | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| Spinner Dolphin | P | P | P | P | G | G | G | G | G | P | P | P |
| Bottlenose Dolphin | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
| Reef Sharks | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| Hammerhead | P | P | G | M | R | R | R | R | R | M | G | P |
| Eagle Ray | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
| Nurse Shark | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
💡 Pro Tips for Marine Life Encounters
Early Morning Magic
Hammerheads and dolphins are most active at dawn (6-7am). Book sunrise excursions!
Follow the Currents
Manta rays follow plankton. East side May-Nov, west side Dec-Apr.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Use mineral sunscreen only. Chemical sunscreens kill coral.
No Flash Photography
Flash disturbs marine life. Use natural light or video lights.
Dolphin Etiquette
Enter water quietly, let them approach you. Never chase dolphins!
Shark Safety
Stay calm, move slowly. Maldives sharks are not dangerous to humans.
🗺️ Maldives Atolls - Click to Explore Marine Hotspots
👆 Click a highlighted atoll (★)
The Maldives stretches 820km north to south with 26 atolls and 1,200 islands. Only ~200 are inhabited.
★ Highlighted atolls are top marine life destinations:
South Ari Atoll
Whale Shark Capital of the World
Year-round whale shark sightings with 95%+ success rate. The world's best destination for guaranteed encounters with these gentle giants.
KEY SPECIES:
Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
World's largest manta ray feeding aggregation - up to 200 mantas in a single bay! Best June-November during southwest monsoon.
KEY SPECIES:
North Malé Atoll
Easy Access from Malé Airport
Famous dive sites like Banana Reef, HP Reef, and Manta Point. Excellent for beginners and experienced divers alike.
KEY SPECIES:
Fuvahmulah
Big Shark Destination
The Maldives' tiger shark capital! Consistent encounters for advanced divers. Also thresher sharks and oceanic mantas.
KEY SPECIES:
Rasdhoo Atoll
Hammerhead Shark Point
Famous for hammerhead encounters at Rasdhoo Madivaru. Early morning dives (6am) December-March for best sightings.
KEY SPECIES:
Vaavu Atoll
Channel Diving Paradise
Home to Fotteyo Kandu - one of the Maldives' best dive sites. Thrilling channel dives with strong currents and sharks.
KEY SPECIES:
Snorkeling
No Certification Needed
Perfect for beginners and families. Just mask, snorkel, and fins!
Best for Whale Sharks
Snorkeling is actually the ideal way to swim with whale sharks!
Manta Feeding Frenzies
At Hanifaru Bay, snorkeling puts you in the middle of manta aggregations.
Dolphin Encounters
Jump in during dolphin cruises to swim alongside pods.
Best Species for Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Access Deeper Sites
Explore thilas, channels, and reef walls where big pelagics congregate.
Hammerhead Schools
Early morning deep dives at Rasdhoo and Fuvahmulah for hammerheads.
Cleaning Stations
Watch mantas hover at cleaning stations - observe for 45+ minutes.
Night Diving
See nurse sharks hunting and bioluminescent creatures.
Best Species for Diving
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Whale sharks can be seen year-round in South Ari Atoll with 95%+ sighting rates! While present all year, peak season is May to November during the southwest monsoon when plankton is most abundant. South Ari is the best location in the world for guaranteed whale shark encounters.
No! Many incredible encounters are accessible to snorkelers - whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and reef sharks can all be seen while snorkeling. However, for hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and deep reef species, diving certification is recommended. Most resorts offer PADI courses.
The sharks in the Maldives are not dangerous to humans. Blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, and nurse sharks are generally shy. Whale sharks are gentle giants that eat plankton. Even tiger shark encounters at Fuvahmulah are conducted safely with experienced guides. The Maldives has been a shark sanctuary since 2010.
Manta rays can be seen year-round, but peak season is June to November during the southwest monsoon. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll hosts the world's largest manta feeding aggregation - up to 200 mantas! The east side of atolls is best May-Nov, west side Dec-Apr as mantas follow the plankton.
Spinner dolphins are common throughout the Maldives, but the best spots are North and South Malé Atoll, Baa Atoll, and Vaavu Atoll. Sunset dolphin cruises have 90%+ success rates. The channels between islands are prime spots where pods of 50-200 spinners gather.
Yes! Many dolphin cruises offer the opportunity to jump in and snorkel with dolphins. Enter the water quietly and let them approach you - they're naturally curious. Never chase dolphins, and you may be rewarded with an unforgettable close encounter.
Water temperature is 27-30°C (80-86°F) year-round. For snorkeling, a rash guard provides sun protection. For diving, a 3mm wetsuit is usually enough. Most importantly, always use reef-safe mineral sunscreen - chemical sunscreens damage coral reefs.
Prices vary by resort and activity. Typical costs: Dolphin cruise $50-100, Whale shark excursion $150-250, Manta ray snorkeling $100-180, Two-tank dive $150-250, Night dive $80-150. Budget guesthouses on local islands often have more affordable options.