Whale Sharks: The Ocean's Gentle Giants

There are two locations in the Maldives known for whale shark sightings, the South Ari Atoll and the Baa Atoll. They can be found year-round in the South Ari Atoll, while they are seen between May and November in the Baa Atoll when a build-up of plankton draws large numbers of whale sharks and manta rays. Hotels in these atolls offer excursions to swim with whale sharks, taking into account the protections put in place by the Maldivian government. Read our previous blog with Kaia, the onsite marine biologist at COMO Maalifushi, to hear more about the whale shark excursions in the Maldives.

The Seychelles has been home to a whale shark monitoring and tagging programme since 1995, and the government has protected the animals by law since 2003. Whale sharks can be spotted between August and November, and one of the best locations to see them is around the coast of the main island, Mahe. 

Mafia Island, off the coast of Tanzania, is a popular spot for whale sharks; particularly as they are known to spend longer in the island’s Marine Park and are thought to reside in the area rather than migrate through. Despite this, the best time to see them is between October and February, when plankton is abundant.