WildOceans have offered these tropical cetacean bonanzas for some years now and the word is finally getting around on how good they are, so early booking is strongly advised. Hundreds of Spinner Dolphins are seen during our cruises. These energetic and acrobatic dolphins are always a delight, and are named for their high spinning leaps. We will spend plenty of time with them, even swimming with them if conditions are suitable and they choose to visit us. But Spinners are so abundant in the Maldives that after a few days we will be happy to pass them by as we go in search of an astonishing array of other whales and dolphins.

 

Diversity is the real attraction of the Maldives. On a typical trip we see anything from 8 to 14 species. In addition to Spinner Dolphins, we commonly see Risso’s Dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, Striped Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Shortfin Pilot Whales and Cuvier’s Beaked Whales. We also regularly see Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Killer Whales, False Killer Whales, Melon-headed Whales, Fraser’s and Rough-toothed Dolphins, as well as occasional sightings of much rarer species such as Longman’s and Blainville’s (Dense-beaked) Beaked Whales. All the voyage’s sightings and numbers will be logged as part of Chas Anderson’s ongoing research into the cetaceans of this area of the Indian Ocean.

 

If this diversity sounds a bit confusing, don’t worry. We have superb close views of whales and dolphins in the Maldives, which makes identification easy. Every evening there will be an entertaining and informative slide show highlighting the key features of all the species we see, so by the end of this trip you will be confidently separating your spinners from your spotteds, bottlenose from striped, and all the rest.

 

On these trips, we travel through the Maldives to view whales and dolphins from on board our specially chartered vessel, M/V Fathima. A 30m live aboard safari vessel with a local crew of eight including our dedicated cook. The vessel is comfortable rather than luxurious, but all cabins have private facilities and are air-conditioned. Our voyages will take us past idyllic island and reef scenery, with plenty of sightings of dolphins and whales. Our trips are planned for the calmest times of year, when we hope to have light winds or dead calm.

 

Our itineraries will be very flexible, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and taking our time to watch dolphins, other whales, flying fish and seabirds. These March/April trips explore the Central Atolls, at a time when thousands of cetaceans are on the move in response to the seasonal change in ocean currents. As is normal practice in the Maldives, we will travel by day, and anchor early each evening in a sheltered atoll lagoon. Depending on our location there may be opportunities for a snorkel (dawn and dusk) or island visit at these times.

 

In addition to the action above the water, the snorkelling is absolutely fantastic and offers a whole new arena of Natural History. Tropical fish abound (over 1000 species, expect to see 200+) and as Chas has spent many of the last years identifying and cataloguing them you will be travelling with the world’s leading authority. If you are very lucky you may encounter dolphins in the water as well as even larger creatures, including the graceful and spaceship like Manta Ray and possibly Whale Sharks too.

 

Chas will also delight in showing anyone who is interested the world’s only pelagic insect, the Ocean Strider, a distant relative of our pond skater. Birds only average about 20 species per trip, but include a nice selection of tropical terns plus shearwaters, noddies, tropicbirds and frigatebirds. There will be lots of surprises but you will have to go yourself to find out.

 

In summary, these are superb trips that promise great cetacean sightings, a delightful tropical cruise, coral reefs, paradise islands, and friendly local people, led by the man on the spot.

 

Group size is kept small to make the most of our natural history sightings and to have minimal impact on the islands we visit.

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Malé and transfer to our live aboard vessel. Set sail around midday for our first afternoon’s whale watching. We may even see our first cetaceans within sight of the airport.

Days 2- 7 or 10: Cruising amongst the Central Atolls of the Maldives, looking for and watching whales, dolphins and seabirds. Each evening we will anchor in a sheltered lagoon, near a coral reef, uninhabited island or resort.  

Days 8 or 11: Full morning whale watching. Disembark Malé after dinner. Transfer to the airport.

 

Holiday Information

Dates:  1) 15^th- 25^th March 2008 (11 days)

           2)  27^th March – 3 April 2008 (8 days)                    

Guide: Dr. Charles ‘Chas’ Anderson

Price :  1) £1690  2) £1300  per person sharing a twin cabin, single cabins on request

Facilities: All cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities.

Deposit: £350

Max group size: 12

 

Price includes: Transfers to/from Malé airport, cruise including all meals, tea and coffee on board, use of snorkelling gear, naturalist guide, tourist tax and atoll permits.

 

Price excludes: Flights UK - Male (available from £599), travel insurance (from £34.36 per person), drinks, local airport tax (US$12), gratuities and other items of a personal nature.

 

Previous trip reports available from us.

 

Our Guide: Dr ‘Chas’ Anderson has been working in the Maldives since 1983 as a professional marine biologist and is the pioneer of whale and dolphin watching in the islands. He has written many books and papers on the marine life of the islands and his genuine love of them, sheer enthusiasm, knowledge and sense of humour will be a major factor in your enjoyment of this trip.