Whale shark swimming in the seas of the Maldives

The Maldives - A Wildlife Cruise in the Tropical Indian Ocean

12 days from £4995 per person

The warm tropical waters of the Maldives support an extraordinary diversity of marine life and provide some of the very best whale and dolphin watching on the planet. This special 10 night cruise explores the little-visited waters of the remote southern atolls using a simple but comfortable safari boat. Cruises are timed to coincide with migrating cetaceans and are accompanied by Dr Charles Anderson, a professional marine biologist who has lived and worked in the Maldives since 1983. Typically there will be around 50 separate sightings of cetaceans – from one large whale to a school of over 200 dolphins – and up to 10 different species should be seen. Although marine life is the focus of the cruise, the schedule is flexible and leisurely and there will be plenty of time to snorkel, birdwatch and visit uninhabited islands.

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

The Maldives also has an international reputation for its rare and elusive beaked whales. There is also a chance of big whales including sperm whales, blue whales and Bryde’s whales are common.

Dolphins are regularly seen in their hundreds. Spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, spotted dolphins and striped dolphins occur in good numbers and sightings are at close range.

The Maldives has superb snorkelling. There is an abundance of reef fish, manta rays are common, giant whale sharks can be seen as well as hawksbill, green and olive ridley turtles.

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Guide
to Price

Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £4995 per person

The exact cost of this itinerary will vary depending on the season of travel, standard of accommodation, flight class, activities included and the date the booking is made. Please speak to one of our experienced travel specialists who will create a completely tailor-made and personalized quotation based on your requirements and budget.

** The above price is based on two adults travelling together in economy, sharing accommodation, travel based on low season for this destination and advance booking approximately nine months prior to travel**

Itinerary: The Maldives - A Wildlife Cruise in the Tropical Indian Ocean

Day 1 Depart UK

Today depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Dubai / Dubai to Male / Begin Maldives Explorer Cruise

Arrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Male. On arrival you will be met and taken to board the MV Keana Safari Boat for the 10 night Maldives Explorer Cruise of the Southern Atolls. Depart after midday and in the evening anchor in a sheltered atoll where the vessel will spend the night. Time permitting it may be possible to include some snorkelling or an island visit and hopefully, at some point today, our first cetacean sightings will be made. Later there will be an orientation talk to explain about the cruise and the marine and bird life that will be encountered. (B/L/D)

Days 3 to 5 Maldives Explorer Cruise

Over the next three days cruise towards the remote southern Thaa Atoll whilst searching for dolphins, whales and seabirds. The Maldives is blessed with an extraordinary diversity of whale and dolphin species and it is not uncommon to see upwards of 10 different types of cetaceans on the cruise. Many of these species, such as the dwarf sperm whale, are exceptionally rare outside of the Maldives and, since many other species bowride, it will be possible to view them at a close range. No wild animal viewings can be guaranteed but there is an excellent chance of multiple sightings every day. Each night anchor in the lagoon of an atoll where there will be a chance to snorkel or make an island visit. (B/L/D)

Days 6 to 8 Maldives Explorer Cruise

Arriving in the isolated southern atolls, there will be three full days devoted to cetacean watching, swimming, island visits and snorkelling the pristine coral reefs. Fish life is abundant and over 200 different fish species can be seen. It is almost guaranteed that flying fish will be seen whilst cruising the atolls and, if lucky, manta rays and whale sharks may also be spotted, as well as three species of turtle including hawksbill and green turtles in the atolls and olive ridleys out in the open ocean. (B/L/D)

Days 9 & 10 Maldives Explorer Cruise

Leaving the southern atolls, over the next two days the MV Keana will cruise slowly back towards Male all the time looking out for dolphins, whales and manta rays. Although sightings of marine life are the undoubted aim of this cruise, there will also be an opportunity for birdwatching – especially seabirds of which over 40 species have been recorded, and at some point there may be the chance to chum for Storm-petrels and Shearwaters. (B/L/D)

Day 11 Maldives Explorer Cruise

Enjoy one further full day of dolphin watching in Male Atoll before anchoring close to Male and the international airport. There will be a farewell dinner for the last night on board. (B/L/D)

Day 12 Male to Dubai / Dubai to the UK

After breakfast you will be taken to Male Airport in good time to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On arrival connect onto the Emirates flight back to the UK. (B)

Expedition Leader
All trips will be led by Dr Charles Anderson, a professional marine biologist who has lived and worked in the Maldives since 1983. He is the foremost authority on both cetaceans and fishes in the Maldives and the pioneer of whale and dolphin watching in the region. In addition to numerous scientific papers, he has published six guides to the marine life of the islands. Dr Anderson will present a series of evening slide shows on marine life during the course of each trip and on some cruises he may be assisted by his wife Susan Anderson who is a qualified nurse as well as an experienced and enthusiastic whale spotter.

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Cruise accommodation and sightseeing with other passengers
Services of naturalist Dr Charles Anderson
Airport transfers to the MV Keana
All meals, teas and coffee o nboard the MV Keana

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Meals unless specified
Maldivian green tax of USD $6 per person per night payable in cash on board the MV Keana
Alcoholic and soft drinks on board the MV Keana

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

The Whale and Dolphin Company run a limited number cruises ranging from of 9 to 17 nights. These are operated using the MV Keana which is 30m long and has a fully professional crew, experienced captain and full-time cook. The MV Keana has eight guest cabins and can accommodate 16 guests. Forthcoming cruise dates are as follows:

7 to 24 April 2024 - Northern Atolls Cetacean Survey (17 nights)
25 April to 5 May 2024 - Beaked Whales (10 nights)
27 October to 6 November 2024 - Maldives Southern Atolls (9 nights)
20 April to 3 May 2025 - Maldives Northern Atolls (13 nights)
12 to 22 October 2025 - Maldives (10 nights)

The routing detailed on our website is for a 10 night cruise. This should be seen as an indicative itinerary since the routing is dependant on the location of the cruise as well as the seasonal movements of cetaceans. Please contact us for full details and further information on each of the different lengths of cruise available.