Divers from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives experienced an extraordinary underwater encounter last month when a whale shark estimated at six metres in length appeared during a dive at the renowned Kandooma Thila dive site in the South Malé Atoll.

The sighting took place on 13 April during a guided dive led by Ibrahim Shaan, Dive Centre Manager at the resort’s PADI 5-star Dive Centre. Based on its size it is estimated to be a juvenile whale shark approximately 8 to 15 years old, the animal remained calmly alongside divers for more than 30 minutes before disappearing back into the blue.

“We were diving at Kandooma Thila and were incredibly fortunate to encounter a magnificent whale shark of approximately six metres in length,” said Ibrahim Shaan, Dive Centre Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “The whale shark swam gently into the dive site, circled calmly alongside the divers and stayed with us for more than half an hour. In all my years diving here, it was one of the most memorable experiences I have witnessed underwater.”

Whale shark sightings are considered rare in the South Malé Atoll, with the species more commonly associated with the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) one of the world’s most recognised whale shark aggregation areas.

The Maldives is globally regarded as one of the best destinations for whale shark encounters due to its warm waters, nutrient-rich currents and seasonal plankton blooms which attract the world’s largest fish. Unlike predatory shark species, whale sharks are slow-moving filter feeders, travelling vast distances in search of plankton and fish spawn.

It is understood that the Kandooma sighting may have been linked to broader migratory movement through the Maldives atoll system, with the whale shark potentially following plankton-rich water or feeding opportunistically as currents moved nutrients and bait fish through the area.

Kandooma Thila is widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ premier dive sites due to its strong currents, coral-covered pinnacle and abundance of pelagic marine life. These same conditions may also create temporary feeding opportunities for larger oceanic species. While whale sharks are not permanent residents of the South Malé Atoll, the transient nature of the sighting makes the encounter even more significant for divers and marine observers.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has since shared information with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) in the hope of formally identifying the individual shark through the organisation’s national identification database.

“We are very excited to be able to contribute meaningful observations, photographs and video footage to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme,” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “Each whale shark has a unique spot pattern behind its gills and along its flanks, almost like a fingerprint. By comparing those markings, along with any visible scars or identifying features, researchers can determine whether this individual has been recorded previously in the Maldives.”

The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme’s Big Fish Network database has now identified more than 800 individual whale sharks throughout the Maldives, providing valuable long-term insight into migration patterns, behaviour, health and population movements.

Garrett said the work being undertaken by researchers was critical not only for conservation planning but also for the long-term sustainability of marine tourism in the Maldives.

“The research plays an important role in understanding how whale sharks move seasonally between atolls, their health and survival rates, and whether tourism activity is influencing natural behaviours,” she said. “It also contributes to broader conservation initiatives including marine protected areas, responsible tourism guidelines and measures aimed at reducing threats such as boat strike injuries.”

Garrett added that whale sharks may also provide important indicators about the wider marine environment.

“We know whale sharks are highly sensitive to ocean temperatures and food availability. Changes in their movement patterns may help researchers better understand larger ecosystem shifts taking place within our oceans.”

The resort is also reminding divers and operators of the importance of responsible marine-life interaction practices when encountering whale sharks in the wild.

Recommended best practices include maintaining a respectful distance, avoiding flash photography, never touching or chasing the animal, maintaining good buoyancy control and allowing the whale shark to dictate the interaction naturally.

One of the greatest threats to whale sharks in the Maldives remains boat strike injury, making responsible vessel operation around marine wildlife essential.

For many divers, encounters with whale sharks remain among the most emotional and unforgettable experiences the ocean can offer.

“Despite their enormous size, whale sharks have an incredibly calm and peaceful presence underwater, I know for me, it is a dream to see one,” Garrett said. “I’m sure for those who are lucky enough, there is something very humbling about watching the world’s largest fish move silently through open water. It might be a fleeting moment but I’m sure it would stay with you forever.”

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is located in the South Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, offering direct access to many of the Maldives’ best-known dive sites. Recognised as the Leading Dive Resort in the Maldives, the resort’s Dive Free programme includes up to two complimentary scuba dives per day for up to two certified divers per villa for guests staying three nights or more.

For more information about Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com