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  • Best price guaranteed!
  • Flexible cancellation and payment option.
  • Daily breakfast at beachside Ocean Restaurant
  • For Half Board meal plans, daily dinner at the Ocean Restaurant & US$65.00 per person per night dinner credit (food-only) in other restaurants
  • 10% off on Spa treatments
  • USD 150 resort credit per villa per stay, for stays of 7 nights and above.
  • A bottle of champagne and fruits in your villa to greet you on arrival
  • Early check-in and late check-out - subject to availability
  • Dedicated island host service 24/7
  • Complimentary group sunrise yoga
  • Selected complimentary non-motorised water sports
  • Complimentary use of snorkelling equipment during your stay

Magnificent Whale Sharks in the Maldives

Aug 13, 2022 Marine Biology

Did you know that on rare occasions, you could be lucky enough to witness the marvellous whale sharks in Maldives? They are sometimes spotted amongst similar areas where Manta Rays travel to feed on plankton as well.

If you are lucky enough to spot a whale shark during your stay in Milaidhoo, we assure you that it would be nothing short of fascinating.

1. They are not whales

Contrary to its name, whale sharks are not whales! They are in fact, the largest fish in the ocean. Can you imagine swimming next to a fish that’s 30 to 40 feet in length? There’s no need to feel scared, let us tell you why.

2. Whale sharks are filter feeders – they cannot bite!

Ever heard of a filter feeder? They let in the plankton-rich seawater by swimming with their mouth wide open and taking in all the nutrients as needed. It is estimated that roughly 6000 litres of water pass through a whale shark in just one hour.

3. They’re a little slow; hence the nickname “gentle giants”

It is apparent that whale sharks are easy-going, once you see them swimming. Nevertheless, this does not stop them from travelling thousands of kilometres every year.

4. They live for a very long time, yet they are endangered

Even though whale sharks can live between seventy to a hundred years old, many of them don’t reach mature ages. It is very unlikely for whale sharks to stay together with their young after giving birth to them. With the dangers they face due to climate change, lost habitat and land-based pollution, these gentle giants have been identified as endangered species. It is important that we protect them and their habitat as they play an important role in our ecosystem.

5. Every whale shark has its own unique pattern

If you do successfully spot a whale shark, try to snap a picture of its back. You would notice a pattern of white spots; each pattern is unique to that whale shark. There are many whale shark ID programs that help us identify them individually, and you can sometimes see the conservation programs naming them and giving information about where each one has been.

 

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