14 independent reviews for Maldives whale shark conservation snorkeling cruise
Reviews for Maldives whale shark conservation snorkeling cruise
Tricia Thompson review 6 Apr 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
A whale shark feeding at the side of the boat at 3am! You don't get that staying in a resort.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The best way to see the Maldives - you get a flavour of it all!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes although I wish we could have cleaned up more plastic and how do we lobby the fancy resorts more to be more proactive?4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
5 starRead the operator's response here:
Hi Tricia
Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughtful feedback! It was lovely to meet you and spend an afternoon snorkeling. Happy to hear that you had such a memorable experience, especially with the whale shark encounter—those are definitely once-in-a-lifetime moments! Your support for our efforts to clean up the environment is truly appreciated, and we are always working on finding ways to make a greater impact. We completely agree that waste management is indeed a challenge in the Maldives. Recently, regulations at local island level have been updated, which means that we now have to pay a fee to offload the waste we collect during our beach cleans at local islands. As for the plastic, we return it to Malé for recycling in partnership with Parley. However, due to limited room on board the vessel, it's sometimes difficult to bring back larger amounts of waste. Thank you again for your feedback and for helping make a positive impact during your trip! Together, we can continue to raise awareness and drive change for a more sustainable future in the Maldives. Kind regards Ruth
Emma Harvey review 17 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lots of beautiful islands, reefs, snorkelling and variety of wildlife.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You might not see whale sharks - we didn't. Think this might be better billed as an ocean wildlife trip with possibility of seeing whale sharks not guaranteed. Enjoy the rest of the abundant ocean wildlife sights. The boat facilities are basic, but clean and well run - and enough space to be together or have a little quiet down time separately. Fairly full schedule, with early-ish starts. I think we benefitted from the restful resort break we had first, and some went for that after. If you want a rest as well, recommend you do that.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really lovely holiday and vibe on the boat, nice group, good crew and we got lucky with local NGO employee who joined our tour and was incredibly friendly, down to earth and helpful.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Emma
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We truly appreciate your feedback. We want to clarify that we never guarantee sightings of whale sharks, but the idea behind the name of the cruise is to provide a unique opportunity for guests to learn from experts in the field. Our collaboration with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program ensures that knowledgeable conservationists are on board throughout the trip, alongside our expert Tour Leaders,
helping guests understand and contribute to the protection of these incredible creatures. Likewise, we offer conservation cruises in collaboration with Olive Ridley Project and Manta Trust where our educational focus is on turtles and manta rays respectively. It’s unfortunate we didn’t encounter a whale shark on this particular trip, but as you mentioned, marine life in its natural habitat can be unpredictable. The South Ari Marine Park spans an area across 45km and sometimes the whale sharks may well be in a different location to us, one of the
mysteries of nature! We’re glad you enjoyed the other marinelife and the relaxed vibe of the
boat, and you are right it is an active holiday with snorkeling and education at its heart.
Thank you again for your kind words and support of our conservation efforts. We hope to welcome you on board again in the future! Kind regards Ruth
Elizabeth Field review 16 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The snorkelling was brilliant with so many different types of fish. Sadly we didn't see any whale sharks, but that's nature. We did have some great experiences with manta rays though which was special. The group of travellers we were with also made the trip as they were all friendly and also Zim from the NGO was lovely and fun to be with.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Plenty of sun protection as its very hot and sunny. You are on a boat, light sleepers may need earplugs the air con/motor if moving is noisy.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Beach clean up was just a drop in the ocean when you see how much litter we collected, but every bit counts. The talks on what the locals are doing to improve the reef and the sea life was worthwhile and highlights what everyone can do.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just do it, its great gives you a good over view of the area and how huge the Maldives are. The sea life is as good as any we have seen in the world.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your wonderful review which I will be sure to share with your Tour Leader, Kamey and Zim from MWSRP. ! I am delighted to hear that you had such memorable snorkeling experiences, especially with manta rays. While whale sharks proved elusive, it’s great that nature still provided some special moments! Your tips for fellow travelers are very helpful—sun protection is definitely a must, and we appreciate the practical advice for light sleepers on board. Happy to learn that you found the beach cleanup and conservation talks meaningful. Every small action does indeed contribute to a bigger impact, and it's inspiring to see guests like you engaging in sustainability efforts. Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to welcome you on another conservation cruise adventure in the future, you still have turtles and manta rays to tick off! Kind Regards Ruth
Katherine Panton-Kent review 16 Feb 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming with manta rays and so many colourful fish. Exploring different reefs and an uninhabited island.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring an underwater camera as there is so much to see and a snorkel, you can borrow fins.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Awesome!Kerry Utting review 13 Feb 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the snorkelling was simply amazing.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of sun cream and rash vests and rash legs.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, absolutely all of the above. I Felt really reassured that the agency and all that worked for it cared about ensuring all of the above.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was absolutely fantastic- one of the best travel experiences we’ve had. The agency and all the guides and crew were brilliant. Well organised, safe,educational and fun.Julian Jones review 27 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
What a unique holiday experience. We were looking for a Maldivian experience that provided an opportunity to see multiple islands, snorkel reefs (hopefully seeing manta rays and whale sharks as well as lots of fishes!), and gain some insight into Maldivian culture and way of life. We ruled out resort islands and found this conservation cruise run by a british woman called Ruth. Ruth provided lots of useful details in addition to the website itinerary and we decided to do this tour instead of staying on a local island in South Ari Atoll - what a great decision that was !! We met lovely people on the cruise. The MV Felicity crew were fantastic, so friendly always with a smile on their faces and nothing was too much trouble for them. The meals were delicious with lots of variety, with fresh tuna and chicken dishes. Our tour guides Kamey, Hamna and Nafsha were superb, from initial meet and greet, making sure we all had the best experiences possible. The presentations on fauna and flora were informative and brought to life the challenges that the wildlife faces and solutions that are being deployed and considered. We were joined by Bey-Be from Save the Beach NGO, an engaging and passionate advocate, who is leading projects to revive the coral reef. We even swam with a whale shark that hadn’t been recorded before - truly was lucky Tuesday. The fact that there was only room for a maximum of 12 passengers made the cruise feel intimate, so we got to know our fellow passengers, guides and the crew. I personally found sleeping in the cabin a bit too hot even with aircon and fan, but I slept on deck on a very comfortable sofa under the stars - never done that before either!! My wife was also happy to have the bed to herself :) Without doubt one of the best full on holidays we have ever had. We had never been on a cruise before and didn’t know what to expect, but all our expectations were well and truly exceeded. Well done to the tour operator on offering this unique conservation cruise and informing tourists on the consequences of human action/inaction. I don’t think you would regret this holiday decision.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Stay overnight prior to the cruise - think you will be very tired otherwise on day 1 also gives you an opportunity to see Male/ Hulhumale or another island :) We were lucky to have a couple in our party who had go pros to capture underwater activity and share/ compile footage - so take one if you can!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Holiday was focussed on exploring local islands and people spent money in local retailers as opposed to large corporate resorts. The tour operator offers this unique cruise who care about their environment and partners with MV felicity and NGOs to ensure that positive environmental change happens and is initiated. They collectively are actively engaged educating government, local people and tourists on the challenges and appropriate solutions to ensure that we protects the symbiotic flora and flora in the Maldives for future generations.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. You won't regret this holiday decision! One of the best holidays we have had.Alan Bishop review 18 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Snorkelling, seeing manta rays and whale sharks2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take an underwater camera3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great staff and crew, very full and busy week with snorkeling and island visitsSebastian Ludwig review 21 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
- Swimming/Snorkeling with Manta Rays - Swimming/Snorkeling with Whale Shark2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take this trip! It will allow you to get to know the Maldives and their underwater and overwater life.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. Perfectly organised from start to finishLindsey Civil review 15 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Honestly, there were so many glorious moments, snorkelling with the whale shark was spectacular. The staff on the boat were outstanding. Ube our guide... also outstanding.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book it as soon as you can, the boat and staff were wonderful.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we beach cleaned and learnt lots about conservation of the coral.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The best yet!!!!Alison Hewitt review 14 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming with Manta Rays2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy every moment3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant, it surpassed our expectations. The tour operator were great to deal with from start to finish, I couldn't fault them.Marie-Louise Gelfgren review 23 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The snorkling, the beautiful country and the people2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Much better to be out on the sea then staying in one place.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No but everyone seems to be thinking about it.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Successful and enjoyableRead the operator's response here:
Dear Marie Loiuse
Was lovely to meet you both before you boarded Felicity. Thank you for taking the time to place your review, great to hear you enjoyed your week on board Felicity with your guide UB and the crew.
Like yourself it was the underwater world, the country and the people that captured my heart and led me to move to the Maldives 9 years ago. I hope your memories
see you through the remaining cold days of winter in the northern hemisphere!
Your holiday as with all the tours we offer, has a positive benefit on local communities the environment and conservation, below are just a few examples that relate
specifically to the Discovery Cruise: With the exception of myself, all of our team are Maldivian and we only partner and support local Maldivian businesses. Therefore, you can be assured your holiday $ remains in the Maldives and allows locals the opportunity to benefit directly from tourism.You will have received a Green Fins Responsible snorkeling briefing to ensure that in the water everyone follows practices to protect the reef systems. Through education in the the form of presentations by our guides, we hope to create guest awareness on the issues the Maldives faces such as waste management, plastic recycling and the protection of sea-grass. Felicity was one of the very first safari boats to remove the use of individual plastic water bottles and offer water to guests in the form of a cooler, reducing the level of plastic waste considerably over the course of one year. The guides completed a beach clean at the sandbank you visited during your cruise and we as a team regularly support clean up events. We launched #STRAWWARMV in 2018 to encourage our partners to ditch the straw which was very successful and you will recall you were provided with metal
straws.
I hope the above reassures you that your holiday had a greater impact than you may think.
Again, thank you for your comments which I will also share with UB and the crew.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Kind Regards
Ruth
John Lambie review 20 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming with sharks, dolphins, sting rays and a myriad of colourful reef fishes.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be honest about your confidence in the water. There were some quite long snorkels and I used a life jacket for most.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It certainly benefitted the 9 strong crew and whoever sold them the food. Beyond that, no idea. We know there were schedules to be kept to, but we would have sacrificed a couple of snorkels to have done some sailing.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant. We were very lucky that there were only 4 of us on a boat with room for 12, but the crew were all helpful, cheerful ... fantastic. It was like being on holiday with a group of friends.Read the operator's response here:
Dear John,
Thank you for taking the time to place your review, great to hear you enjoyed your week on board Felicity with your guide UB and the crew.
Absolutely agree with your point regarding being honest about your confidence in the water. Only by having a full knowledge of everyone's abilities can our guides
then take any additional steps to maintain everyone's safety in the water. As you will have discovered, we always have a guide at the front and the back of the group as
well as a support vessel alongside in the event that anyone get's tired or into difficulty, help is on hand and the opportunity to get out of the water available.
Your holiday as with all the tours we offer, has a positive benefit on local communities the environment and conservation, below are just a few examples that relate
specifically to the Discovery Cruise:
With the exception of myself, all of our team are Maldivian and we only partner and support local Maldivian businesses. Therefore, you can be assured your holiday
$ remains in the Maldives and allows locals the opportunity to benefit directly from tourism.
You will have received a Green Fins Responsible snorkeling briefing to ensure that in the water everyone follows practices to protect the reef systems.
Through education in the the form of presentations by our guides, we hope to create guest awareness on the issues the Maldives faces such as waste management,
plastic recycling and the protection of sea-grass.
Felicity was one of the very first safari boats to remove the use of individual plastic water bottles and offer water to guests in the form of a cooler, reducing the level of
plastic waste considerably over the course of one year.
The guides completed a beach clean at the sandbank you visited during your cruise and we as a team regularly support clean up events.
We launched #STRAWWARMV in 2018 to encourage our partners to ditch the straw which was very successful and you will recall you were provided with metal
straws.
I hope the above reassures you that your holiday had a greater impact than you may think.
Again, thank you for your comments which I will also share with UB and the crew.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Kind Regards
Ruth
Ardice Hartry review 8 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The people -- particularly the crew of Felicity. Amazing, welcoming, thoughtful, and enthusiastic.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It's always hard to tell, but I don't feel that we had a major negative impact. And we appreciated how much the operator thought about how to limit environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous!Read the operator's response here:
Hi Ardice
Thank you for taking time to write your review, it is appreciated.
Great to hear you and your family enjoyed your time on board Felicity with UB and the crew. Was lovely to be able to meet with you all upon arrival following all our
correspondence, nice to be able to put faces to names.
As a team we work hard to support and promote sustainable and responsible tourism. We are only too aware that the environment in which we live and travel with
our guests is fragile and under threat in many ways. I hope that the presentations that UB provided and the discussions you would I am sure have had would have
assisted in increasing your knowledge of various aspects of marine life, coral growth and sea grass.
As a local business one of the aspects I am most proud of is that with the exception of myself, all our team are local and all our revenue remains in the Maldives with
local businesses or individuals, a business profile that is very unique in the Maldives. Therefore all our guests can travel with us safe in the knowledge that their
holiday money has a direct impact on local people and communities.
Thanks again for taking time to feedback on your trip and UB is already looking forward to welcoming you again!
Have a great festive period!
Kind Regards
Ruth
Ann Higham review 24 Feb 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Underwater world. Seeing a multitude of Maldivian islands, hospitable crew, fantastic food and brilliantly knowledgeable guide. Grasping some of the real Maldivian life.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack very little. Sun factor clothing for snorkelling trips. Book it!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely local crew and captain make the trip.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Ann, Delighted that you and your family enjoyed your cruise with us. From the photographs that your husband sent I see that his fishing skills kept you in good supply of fresh fish throughout the week! As a business we are proud that with the exception of myself all our team of guides are local and that we partner with only local operators ensuring it is local people and business who benefit financially. Whilst I am a local island girl at heart myself, cruising is definitely one of the best ways to explore the Maldives and cover a large area in a short period of time and it certainly sounds as though you experienced the best our island paradise has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Kind Regards. Ruth.
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