The Maldives
Whale- and Dolphin-watching in the Indian Ocean

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 October 2011 (9 days)
Saturday 31 March - Sunday 8 April 2012 (9 days)
Saturday 29 September - Sunday 7 October 2012 (9 days)

The Maldives is a small island nation in the central Indian Ocean, some 400 miles southwest of the southern tip of India. The country is composed entirely of coral atolls. On the atolls are some 1200 sandy islands. All are small, and most can be walked around in less than an hour. These really are the picture postcard islands of your dreams, with swaying palm trees, white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. 2012 will be our fourth year of trips.

The exquisite islands and coral reefs of the Maldives have become a well-known tourist destination. But it is not widely realised that the Maldives also possess a particularly rich whale and dolphin fauna, with an especially impressive diversity of cetacean species.

As the Maldives offer some of the very best whale and dolphin watching in the world, this will be the primary focus of this trip. However, there will also be opportunities for birding, to visit islands, to swim, to go snorkeling, and to relax.

We cruise through the Maldives to view whales, dolphins and seabirds on board our specially chartered 30m 'live-aboard' safari vessel, M.V. Ari Queen. She has a full-time local crew of 8, including an experienced captain and a dedicated cook who will prepare local cuisine with fresh fish caught from the boat. All cabins are en-suite and air-conditioned. There are 9 double, triple and twin cabins, but we will travel with a maximum of just 15 clients. Ari Queen is not luxurious, but she is comfortable and quite adequate for our needs.

Each trip will be conducted at a leisurely pace, allowing time to stop and stare, to swim and snorkel, and to visit a variety of islands. Our itinerary will be flexible to make the most of our cetacean sightings, but we hope to have the opportunity to visit uninhabited, fishing and resort islands. The particular highlights of this central atolls trip should include:
  • Encounters with delightful spinner dolphins
  • Encounters with stately pilot whales
  • Encounters with several other whale and dolphin species
  • Chance to swim with magnificent reef fishes
  • Beautiful islands and coral reefs of the central Maldives
  • The wonderful photographic opportunities
In summary, this is a superb trip that promises great cetacean sightings, a delightful tropical cruise, coral reefs, paradise islands, and friendly local people.

Price: £ 2,795

Single supp**: £ 440

Deposit: £ 400 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of economy scheduled return flights London-Malé*, airport taxes, Government Tourist Tax, atoll permits, full board accommodation, boat transport as described, incidental tips and the services of the leader and guide.

The price excludes diving (approx 40 Euros per dive booked in advance), travel insurance, optional tips to local boat crew, drinks and other personal expenses.

*For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Malé), please deduct £ 725 per person from the tour cost.

** A very limited number of cabins are available as singles.

Accommodation: We use the M.V. Ari Queen, a 9-cabin motor vessel, with twin/triple en suite cabins.

Leader: Dr Charles Anderson. Please note that only one leader will accompany this cruise

Numbers: Max. 15 clients

Maldives map


Tailor-made Extensions and upgrades
 If any clients would like to extend their stay with more time in the beautiful Maldives, why not stay on a resort island immediately before or after your whale watching trip? We would be happy to provide a quote. We can also quote for flight upgrades.

Outline Itinerary
Day 1We take an overnight scheduled flight from London to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, arriving on Day 2.
Day 2Arrival in Maldives. Arrive at Malé International Airport transfer to Ari Queen and put to sea. With a little luck we can expect our first cetacean sighting while still in sight of the airport! Tonight, we will anchor in a sheltered location within one of the atolls. This first evening there will be an orientation talk, and on most other evenings there will be a slide show or video.
Days 3-7Whale, dolphin and seabird watching in the central atolls. Some mornings we will start the day with a refreshing early snorkel. We will then head out of the atolls, in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. Each evening we will anchor in the lagoon of an atoll, and there should be some opportunities to swim, snorkel or visit an island.
Day 8Whale and dolphin watching off Malé Atoll. A final full day of whale and dolphin watching. Ari Queen returns to Malé. Farewell dinner and last night on board.
Day 9Malé. After breakfast, transfer by boat to the international terminal for departure on a scheduled flight returning to London, arriving late on Day 9 (or possibly early on Day 10).

Click here for a full, printable itinerary