Maldives – Here you can swim with Whale Sharks

For many, swimming alongside the largest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark, is one of the ultimate bucket-list experiences. These gentle giants are the perfect swimming partners as they only eat plankton and pose no danger to humans. Having been known to reach more than 40 feet in length, weigh as much as 47,000 pounds with a mouth up to 5 feet wide, swimming alongside a creature of this size offers a surreal experience. For those wishing to experience this first hand, COMO Maalifushi offer responsible Whale Shark expeditions, where safety of both the sharks and guests are prioritised to create a magical once in a lifetime experience.

In a list compiled by Lonely Planet, the Maldives have been chosen among one of the best destinations in the world for swimming with whale sharks. From the start of November to the end of April COMO Maalifushi offers boat trips from the resort to find Whale Sharks in the warm Maldivian waters. The clear Maldivian waters allow for an aquarium-like view of the gentle giants, allowing guests to observe them closely as they feed from the boat, or jump in and swim alongside them.

As the only resort in the Maldives’ Thaa Atoll, in the archipelago’s tranquil southern reaches, COMO Maalifushi is entirely surrounded by a thriving house reef. Under the waves, find a circus of branching corals, butterflyfish, parrotfish and octopus, while on land, life is more refined. Elegant, understated and pared back, the 65 villas range from Garden Rooms in the island’s leafy heart, to one, two and three-bedroom overwater lodgings, each with sun-soaked deck, infinity pools and waterside cabins.