Wildlife and seasons on Ukulhas
At 07:00 the manta boat leaves the harbour for wherever the crews have been finding them that week. Later boats go to Turtle Point, out into open water for dolphins, or south to another atoll for whale sharks. Every one of those trips is a search rather than a viewing, and that is the honest starting point for planning around wildlife here.
20 years in Maldives hospitality and 12 years advising island properties
In this guide
What the seasons change, and what they do not
The Maldives has two main seasons, the south-west monsoon and the north-east season, and each brings its own wind and sea. What that means in practice is less about which animals are present and more about where a boat can go: wind and swell decide which sites are reachable on a given morning, and the visitors' beach takes more weather during the south-west monsoon.
We do not publish a month-by-month table of sightings, because we cannot support one. What we can tell you is what the crews have been finding in recent weeks, which is the closest thing to a useful forecast. Ask us when you are choosing dates, and ask again on the day: the captain confirms each trip that morning.
The animals, and what to expect
Mantas
Mantas are the exception to the seasonal uncertainty. They are seen on trips from Ukulhas throughout the year, and our crews find them on most manta trips, which is why a manta morning is worth planning whatever month you come. A manta is still where the sea puts it that morning, so no trip can promise one. Choose the Manta Encounter for a shorter search, or the Manta Discovery + Snorkel Combo to carry on to two reef sites afterwards.
Turtles
Turtles are the reason for Turtle Point Snorkelling, a mid-morning trip that suits families.
Dolphins
The Dolphin Safari is watched from the deck, with no swimming at all. Most departures are in the morning and a few are later in the day, and a trip usually takes about two hours, sometimes three.
Nurse sharks
On the Nurse Shark Encounter you can snorkel alongside the sharks, stay at the surface on a float with a camera, or watch from the boat. Keep your distance, and never touch or feed them.
Whale sharks
A whale shark trip is a long day. The Whale Shark Expedition crosses to South Ari on a larger boat with a packed lunch, and if one is found, you get into the water to snorkel. They are looked for in season, and recent sightings are the thing to ask about when you plan the day.
The reef by the beach
Closer to home, the reef off the visitors' beach is about fifty metres out and has fish and coral to see when conditions allow. Ask the team about the water before you go in.
How a trip works
Snorkelling equipment, drinking water and a safety briefing come with the snorkelling trips, and the crews are professional and licensed. Tell us each person's swimming ability and we will suggest the trips that suit, including the ones that work if a swimmer in your group is not confident.
Two rules are worth knowing before you book. A trip that goes out is not refunded if the animal does not appear; the Manta Encounter and Nurse Shark Encounter usually continue as snorkelling trips instead. A trip that does not run at all is not charged.
If somebody would rather not swim
The Dolphin Safari keeps everyone on deck from start to finish. On every snorkelling trip you can also stay aboard and watch, at the same price, so nobody has to be left behind on the island.
Dolphin SafariManta EncounterWhale Shark ExpeditionTurtle Point SnorkellingNurse Shark EncounterManta Discovery + Snorkel Combo
Where to go next
If you are still choosing dates, the timing guide sets out what the two seasons mean for the rest of a stay. If you already know when you are coming, the experience pages give each trip's window and price.
