Best Resorts to Swim with Whale Sharks & Manta Rays in Maldives

1 LUX* South Ari Atoll

Best Experience:  Couples, Family, Value, Beach, Diving, Dining, Whale Shark Watching, All Inclusive

LUX Resorts & Hotels has introduced new developments for LUX * South Ari Atoll after its reopening in late 2016. Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from Malé International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives. With 187 private villas dotted at the water's edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives. Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives' only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés. While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa.

Whale Shark Paradise, LUX South Ari Atoll is probably the only 5 star resort that is 20 min away by boat from the Whale Shark Marine Reserve you can find in the Maldives. This whale sharke spot in south Ari atoll is Maamigili MPA, the only part of the world where you can see whale sharks all year. August has a great start on the part of Whale Sharks when these gentle giants are nearby, just 25 minutes from Lux at dive sites “Back reef” and “Didhoo long reef”. The best of it… all the divers have the pleasure to meet the whale sharks while diving for at least 1, or some of them, several times! That’s what makes diving at South Ari Atoll a truly unforgettable life time experience. Whale shark snorkeling excursions are also available. READ FULL REVIEW

2 Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Best Experience:   for Couples, Family holiday, House Reef Snorkeling & Diving, Value, All Inclusive

With one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the great strengths of Vilamendhoo have always been snorkeling and diving, and affordable accommodation. Located in South Ari Atoll and accessible by a scenic 25-minute seaplane transfer, Vilamendhoo is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, an excellent house reef and long stretches of white, sandy beach. The resort offers accommodation in 184 rooms, including 30 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 30 Jacuzzi Beach Villas, 111 Beach Villas and 13 Garden Rooms. The resort boasts several swimming pools, restaurants, as well as sports fields, a spa (and much more) scattered throughout the island which is divided into the family and "adults only" areas. With a magnificent house reef and All Inclusive offering - ​​it's a romantic, quiet choice for families and couples alike.

The resort offers the Whale Shark and Mantas excursions. The channels of South Ari Atoll have long been known for the quality of their dive sites. And a few minutes by boat from the resort there are manta rays and whale sharks cleaning stations. From June through October, it is the season to swim with Mantas at Manta Point. All year, the waters around Vilamendhoo are well known for seeing whale sharks. Full day trips are frequently scheduled to nearby Mamigili, the 1st Whale Shark National Park. Read Full Review

3 Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort

Best Experience:   Honeymoon, all inclusive, swimming with Whale Sharks, Diving

A very special place, Maafushivaru is a unique island getaway that epitomizes all that one dreams of when thinking of the Maldives. Located in South Ari Atoll, the boutique resort is one of the best destinations in the Maldives. Combining a Maldivian paradise with contemporary indulgences, a rays, reef sharks, fish, and curious herons are the common attractions in the lagoon area, and the island’s location in the southern tip of the picturesque atoll of Ari is ideal for spotting whale sharks and mantas year round.

Designed for couples seeking to rekindle their romance, outstanding and unique amenities include a chic lounge at Malé Airport, an infinity swimming pool with a large bar, a laser show, a large overwater spa and gym, and a modest wine bar. Located in the same lagoon as Maafushivaru, just minutes away, is Lonubo, a stunning deserted islet, exclusively for the use of Maafushivaru guests. The Dine Around All Inclusive meal plan ("DAA") is highly recommended. With the DAA plan you get to eat and drink where you want, whatever you want, and how much you want as well as an other nice additions Read Full Review

4  Villa Park at Sun Island

Best Experience:  family, activities, diving, snorkeling with whale sharks

Sun Island Resort And Spa is located in luxurious surroundings of South Ari Atoll. With a relatively large island and a long list of dining and recreational facilities, Sun Island Resort is ideal for active groups on a budget, but probably less than ideal for honeymoons or those in search of a secluded romantic holiday. The 462-room resort is the largest in the Maldives. It's also among the cheapest, especially for the overwater rooms, so if price is a major factor then this resort offers good value. There are five bars, a 24-hour coffee shop, and five restaurants, including three specialty dining spots on the island. Meal and drink plans are available, though they have many restrictions. Catering to many large tour groups and families, the all-inclusive plans here are the most popular. There are also tons of land and water activities, a PADI dive shop, kid-friendly facilities, a massive pool, and lovely spa. Beach areas are perfect for shallow snorkeling and sunbathing.

Sun Island’s priceless location allows the resort's guest a very high chance of encountering whale sharks or manta rays at the right time of year as well as a variety of other marine life, big and small. Even along the house reef, where guests can whale sharks and guitar sharks have been spotted. Manta Rays are regular visitors along with turtles and various other shark species. READ FULL REVIEW

5 Dusit Thani Maldives

Best Experience:   Water Villas, for Couples, House Reef Snorkeling & Diving, Mantas Watching

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll — the Maldives’ first ever UNESCO biosphere reserve — Dusit Thani Maldives blends gracious Thai hospitality with the unparalleled luxury setting of the Maldives. This luxury island resort comprises 94 villas encircled by white sandy beaches, a stunning 360 degree house reef and a turquoise lagoon. The resort’s guests prime access to experience this incredible sight just a 25-minute speedboat ride away from Dharawandhoo domestic airport. The resort offers a 360 degree vibrant house reef compliment with a turquoise lagoon, a 750-square metre infinity swimming pool with a lush Banyan tree in the centre, five restaurants and bars with breathtaking views and a Kids Club that is committed to making children’s dreams come true.

The manta season in Hanifaru Bay opens the chance for visitors to see manta rays and whale sharks gathering to feed on plankton. Between May and October each year, the South-West Monsoon causes a large collection of plankton to get caught in the funnel-like reef and this attracts hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks to come and feed from the coral reef. This is the largest known feeding station of its kind to exist in the world. Read Full Review

6  Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences

Best Experience for:  Families, Couples, Dining, Diving, Spa

Located just 30 minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport, Amilla Fushi offers a choice of 59 Houses that sit gracefully over crystal clear waters, nestled amongst lush tree tops or hugging the shores of pristine white sand. Amilla’s innovative restaurants range from the diverse, informal foodie hub Baazaar to the relaxed yet sophisticated overwater dining at the signature Feeling Koi. Guests can even drop in to gourmet café and deli The Emperor General Store or The Wine Shop and Cellar Door to treat themselves to lighter snacks, a favourite bottle or a gourmet selection of artisanal cheeses. With an unrivalled range of purpose-designed multi-bedroom accommodation options, and an exciting, inspiring and active Kids’ Club, Amilla Fushi is putting the Maldives on the map as a destination not just for couples, but for families and friends.

Known as The Island of Surprises Amilla Maldives lies within the Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its amazing marine life. There is a good house reef which is also home to a Blue Hole, which provides an exciting experience for both snorkelling and diving. Dolphins, manta rays and turtles glide through this domain – a playground for any who like to venture below the surface. At the heart of the Biosphere is Hanifaru Bay, only a short boat ride from Amilla Fushi. In our summer months in particular, the high concentration of plankton attracts large groups of manta rays and whale sharks! Read Full Review

7 Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Best Experience:   Ultimate Luxury, Over Water Villas, Privacy and Tranquillity, spa, Wildlife, swimming with mantas

Discover Anantara Kihavah, a boutique hotel with all the advantages of a paradise island of dreams you can imagine - white beaches with fringed palm trees, turquoise waters, dedicated butlers, fine dining and luxurious Over Water Villas - and you will not be disappointed. Anantara Kihavah Villas is just 35 minutes by seaplane from the Velana International Airport. Following the scenic flight, guests arrive to a picture-perfect setting surrounded by the jewel-coloured waters and uninhabited islands of the majestic Indian Ocean. Comprising 74 one-bedroom villas, four two-bedroom residences and a three-bedroom residence, each hideaway boasts large personal infinity-edge pools, dining pavilions, expansive wooden sundecks and ample lounging areas complete with swinging daybeds, hammocks and sun loungers.

Swimming with manta rays is a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that snorkelers of all abilities should not miss out on at Anantara Kihavah. The gentle giants of the ocean, manta rays are one of the most mysterious and largest fish in the ocean with wingspans of up to 7 metres. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in the Maldives’ Baa atoll offers one of the best opportunities to encounter these amazing creatures in their natural annual migration across the Indian Ocean. Each year, from May to November, huge amounts of krill and plankton collects in Hanifaru Bay in the Baa atoll, a UNESCO marine protected biosphere reserve, attracting all kinds of marine life, making it the world’s largest natural Manta Ray feeding destination.  Read Full Review

8 Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll

Best Experience:  cheap, family, couples, snorkeling with Mantas, diving

The affordable beach experience in Dharavandhoo Island will surpass all your expectations; the main theme in this part of the Maldives is not to miss the spectacular water adventures, where each excursion will be filled with new vivid impressions. Result? An unforgettable journey and memories that will remain with you forever. Easily accessible by domestic flight from Malé Airport, the beautiful Dharavandhoo is located in the heart of UNESCO's only marine biosphere reserve in the Maldives and is ideal for everything that Maldives has to offer.

Dharavandhoo's house reef can't boast superb underwater scenery, but the main highlight - Snorkeling with Manta Rays - lies 5 minutes by boat away from the island. Despite the small size, Hanifaru Bay has become one of the best places for snorkeling with manta rays and whale sharks in the world, and regularly draws professionals underwater photos and videos.. In the season, you can count up to 200 giant animals hovering over coral reefs, as well as many whale sharks here. Guest houses in Dharavandhoo organize snorkeling exursions to Hanifaru Bay, that is the world's largest feeding station for Mantas. Prices: from $ 60 / person. Snorkling tours to other sites $ 60 / per boat. (full day)  Read Full Review...

9 Maamigili, South Ari Atoll

Best Experience:  cheap, family, couples, snorkeling with Mantas, diving

Maamigili, also known as 'Whale Shark Island' is an inhabited island and the only airport in South Ari (Alif Dhaal) Atoll. There are a few guesthouses, and it's a popular base for divers, who especially love staying here for the easy access to Dhidhdhoo Beyru with its whale sharks. Maamigili is also the perfect choice for the traveler who wants something more than a resort, a genuine connection with the culture and a budget friendly experience of the otherwise pretty expensive Maldives.

Maamigili is located at the most famous area for Whale Shark explorations. The island is just 20 minutes away by boat to these famous adventure. Whale sharks is the biggest fish of the ocean and the south of Ari Atoll is a great place to dive and snorkel with this breathtaking creatures. READ MORE

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10 Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll

Best Experience:  budget accommodation, family, couples, beaches, snorkeling with whale shark, diving

The famous whale shark area in South Ari Atoll, Dhigurah is a long Maldivian island with stretch of white sandy beaches. Heaven for fans of underwater adventures, Dhigurah island is 20-minutes by domestic flight or 1.5 hour speed-boat ride from Malé airport. The island is a popular destination not only for fans of beach vacation, but also for divers and snorkelers who seek contact with whale sharks, manta rays and world-class corals that make this destination one of the best diving in the Maldives.

Free snorklling in Dhigurah is available in different spots, but the house reef lies in the lagoon on the inside of the atoll. If you are an experienced swimmer, expect a hypnotic marine life, beautiful corals (spots) and lots of colorful fish. Paid snorkeling excursions offered by Island Divers are divided into several areas: snorkeling on coral reefs, whale shark safaris, Coral Garden Snorkeling, snorkeling with manta rays, and a night snorkelling also.  READ MORE

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