Dive Review of Maldives Whale Shark Research Program/guest house in
Maldives/South Ari Atoll

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Maldives Whale Shark Research Program/guest house : "Volunteer with Whale Sharks and Dive for Purpose.", Jun, 2023, by Bill mashek, CA, United States ( 2 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 12448 has 1 Helpful vote.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	My first couple days after arriving in Hulhumale, I spent at Port Inn. It was reasonably priced, included breakfast and nice folks. It was all I needed after a 26 hour flight. Point Inn picked me up at the airport midnight took me back to the airport to meet my boat and transferred me to the airport at the conclusion of my trip. Unlike most dive trips the excursion was a volunteer opportunity with Maldive Whaleshark Research Program. Volunteering as a diver for any marine conservation project is a wonderful opportunity for passionate divers whale sharks are my passion I spent 10 days on the MV Felicity Dive boat with an exceptional group of ocean lovers We spent that time studying, surveying, taking photos, observing, and identifying 3-4 whale sharks a day in South Ari Atoll a marine protected area in with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program. The Maldives Whale Shark Research Program (MWSRP) is a research-based conservation charity dedicated to studying whale sharks and fostering community-focused conservation initiatives in the Maldives and the greater Indian Ocean. They offer a citizen science volunteer program which I signed up for. Whale sharks are filter feeders, scooping microscopic plankton into their meter-wide mouths. Due to this, they are often found near the surface or in shallow water. Most whale shark interactions around the world are swimming or snorkeling, rather than scuba diving. The MWSRP program is all free diving in the South Ari Atoll area. When diving with whale sharks, it is advisable to free dive. Bubbles from scuba tanks stress the shark and cause him to dive deep. The program: Working as a volunteer with MSWRP and being in the water with whale sharks every day is an experience like no other. It is fun and interesting but it is still working. As “citizen scientists", volunteers are instructed in and involved with research, data collection, and increasing knowledge of marine conservation. Volunteers spend long days on a boat watching for whale sharks. When one is located, it is an all-out rush of adrenaline. Everyone puts their fins on and swims to the shark to begin their survey. The typical research day starts with breakfast between 7:30 and 8:30, then getting on a dive dhoni (small boat) and looking for sharks. Surveys are done in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA). Volunteers not only record whale shark sightings, but also include megafauna such as sea turtles, mantas, other rays, and dolphins. In the evening we input our information into the MWSRP laptop computers. This data is compiled into a worldwide network studying the movement, behavior, and threats to the whale shark population. We all work as a team. In this, everyone usually has a role such as observation, data collection, and entry. Identification is done by photographing the left and right flanks at the pectoral fin. Whale sharks have a distinct spot pattern and can be identified by this pattern. In addition, photograph the tail fin as many whale sharks can be identified by fin damage. We record wind direction, current movement, visibility, and water temperature. We note whale shark behavior and people's behavior. MWSRP charters the MV Felicity. There are 7 cabins with private en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning for 10-14 guests. MWSRP has a maximum of 11 volunteers. The large open deck has ample relaxation space. Our Chief, Roy worked professionally as a chef in Siri Lanka before joining the Felicity. MWSRP volunteer dive trips are not for everyone. This is not a scuba diving trip. There are not 4 dives per day then relaxing with cocktails in the evening. Volunteering is work. It is fun and rewarding, but it is still work. Unlike more expensive charters, there is no internet service. However, most volunteers bought local SIM cards and used their phones as “hot spots” for their laptops. The Maldives is a Muslim country. Alcohol is only served on resort-owned islands and private liveaboards. Women should dress conservatively on populated islands. The ten days I spent on the MV Felicity with the other volunteers were an extraordinary experience for me. Our prodigious leaders, Chloe and Clara, were patient and kind mentors. I met many new friends. Being part of this cause brought together people from around the world with diverse backgrounds, all with a similar bond; the love of sharks. To become a volunteer, one does not need to be a scientist or a marine biologist! MWSRP welcomes people of all ages, talents, and nationalities. If you love whale sharks and you are not afraid of challenging work get in touch! More information: volunteer@maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org
Websites	guest house
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	USA east and west coast, Mexico east and west coast, Ecuador, Galapagos, Indonesia, ...
Closest Airport	Male	Getting There	Male (MLE)is an international airport. From Male, we met the dive boat. approximately 6-8 hour crossing
Dive Conditions
Weather	windy, rainy, cloudy	Seas	choppy, currents
Water Temp	86-°F / 30-°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	?
Enforced diving restrictions	Free diving only
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	Squadrons
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	> 2
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	They are set up for photographers, though mostly digital cameras in cases and go pros. I used a TG6 with water proof case, not external lighting.

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

Subscriber's Comments

By Philip Karp in AZ, US at Aug 18, 2024 06:56 EST

I recently spent a week with the MWSRP. While the whale sharks proved to be elusive, we saw numerous mantas, dolphins and turtles and snorkeling during daily snorkel breaks and drag snorkels during surveys was great. I echo Bill in highly recommending this trip if you have an interest in whale sharks and/or citizen science.

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Dive Review of Maldives Whale Shark Research Program/guest house in Maldives/South Ari Atoll

Maldives Whale Shark Research Program/guest house : "Volunteer with Whale Sharks and Dive for Purpose.", Jun, 2023,

Photos Submitted with this Report

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subscriber's Comments

Dive Review of Maldives Whale Shark Research Program/guest house in
Maldives/South Ari Atoll