Here is a selection of 6 of the best resorts to stay in South Ari Atoll to swim with whale sharks and enjoy your Maldives holidays at the fullest !
Swimming with a whale shark in South Ari Atoll. Lagoon at © Conrad Maldives in partnership with MWSRP
you can swim with Whale sharks all year round in South Ari Atoll !
South Ari Atoll, a Whale Shark Paradise
With massive whale shark aggregation all year round, South Ari Atoll is undoubtedly the best Maldives atoll to stay if you dream of swimming with the sea giants. The region is known to be a whale shark paradise with aggregation all year round.
South Ari Atoll is unique in the world as it is the only year round whale shark aggregation site of this kind.
whale shark sighting at lux* South Ari Atoll. © Resort
At its southern part is an extraordinary shark sanctuary called SAMPA for South Ari Marine Protected Area, which is the largest natural reserve in the Maldives
SAMPA represents one of the world’s most unique and significant sites for whale sharks due to their presence throughout the year.
The good news is that the region offers a wide range of accommodation and many amazing dive sites. If you’re looking for a luxury holiday in whale shark paradise, you should consider staying in one of these 10 resorts.
6 best Resorts to stay in South Ari Atoll for Whale Sharks.
The 6 best Resorts to stay in South Ari Atoll for Whale Sharks
To have the best chance to see whale sharks you need to be at the Southern end of South Ari Atoll.
The following resorts organize group and private excursions..
The 2 Best resorts with prime locations To swim With Whale Sharks Right In SAMPA
There are 2 excellent 5* luxury resorts located at the heart of SAMPA : LUX* South Ari Atoll – the very best of all with a top prime location, and Conrad Maldives Rangali Island at its northern tip.
The region is fruitful in spotting, but this area, aka SAMPA, is the Whale Shark Point, the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks.
The best of all : LUX* South Ari Atoll
LUX* South Ari Atoll 
Location : Right in SAMPA / At the heart of Maldives Whale Shark Sanctuary
If you’re looking for a good resort in South Ari Atoll with the best access to whale shark hotspots, LUX* South Ari Atoll is the one.
Located right in the SAMPA area, the 5* luxury resort is a whale shark Paradise and the closest luxury property you will find in the area.
Whale shark spotted by LUX* South Ari Atoll
About LUX* South Ari Atoll
LUX* South Ari Atoll is a beautiful 5* resort and a one-stop for both family and romantic getaways. The long island offers 193 private villas, dotted at the water’s edge along two miles of powder fine beaches and perched on stilts above a crystal lagoon. Super spacious rooms and suites bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.
LUX* South Ari Atoll boasts 8 dining areas and five bars, from a bustling Asian market to fashionable beach club, Beach Rouge.
Read more : Swim With Whale Sharks And Mantas At LUX* South Ari Atoll
BOOK LUX* South Ari Atoll
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& personal counsellor in Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island 
Location : in SAMPA. At the northern tip of the hotspot
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is another great luxury resort to swim with whale sharks in Maldives. Aside from being an amazing luxury hotel, Rangali is also located inside the SAMPA area, at its northern tip where whale shark spotting are frequent.
Conrad Maldives is one of the MWSRP oldest partner. Together they organize 3 hour snorkeling excursions several times per week called the Whale Shark Talk and Tour.
Whale shark spotted by Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
About Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a one-of-a-kind resort nestled in South Ari Atoll, at a 30 minutes seaplane flight from Male International airport.
The recently renovated luxury resort, voted twice ‘Best Hotel in the World’, and numerous times in the TOP 10 Best Hotels in Maldives, Rangali is the perfect escape for couples, honeymooners and families alike.
Built on 2 islands linked by a 500-metre timber footbridge, Conrad Maldives features villas and suites tucked amongst natural greenery and above the lagoon, several award-winning restaurants and bars, 2 spas and a collection of locally inspired experiences designed to connect adults and children with the charm of Maldivian culture.
The luxury resort is also known for its extraordinary underwater restaurant Ithaa awarded the ‘Most Beautiful Restaurant In the World’ by the New York Daily News and the World’s first underwater Suite The Muraka.
BOOK Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
in association with our trusted partner
& personal counsellor in Maldives
There are 2 other resorts in SAMPA : Sun Island and Radisson Blu Resort Maldives. Not as luxurious and dreamy as LUX* South Ari and Conrad, their prime locations in SAMPA will however make your whale shark dreams come true.
Sun Island
Sun Island 
Location : Right in SAMPA / At the heart of Maldives Whale Shark Sanctuary
Sun Island is also located right in the SAMPA area of South Ari, where chances to spot whale sharks are the highest. The resort dive center, DiveOceanus, is one of the largest in the region, and its priceless location means that divers and snorkelers have a high chance of encountering whale sharks, mantas, stingrays, sharks, and a variety of other marine life.
Whale shark spotted by Sun Island
About Sun Island
Sun Island is one the biggest resort in the Maldives. The huge resort is nestled on a 1.6km by 440m island and offers not less than 462 water and beach villas. The impressive resort features 9 dining options, a huge spa, multiple water sports and land sports among other amenities.
How beautiful the island surroundings are ( it is gifted with beautiful long white beaches and a gorgeous vegetation ) Sun Island is not destined to travelers who love intimate stays with a capacity of 700 guests at its fullest.
BOOK SUN Island
Radisson BLU maldives
Radisson BLU Maldives 
Radisson BLU Maldives is the 4th best located resort to see whale sharks in South Ari Atoll. Located right in SAMPA, its PADI dive center offers Whale Shark Talk and Tours on a regular weekly schedule.
Whale shark spotted by Radisson BLU Maldives
About Radisson BLU Maldives
Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is a 5* resort located at a 30-minute seaplane journey or a 20-minute domestic flight from Male international airport. Opened in 2019, Radisson Blu Maldives boasts 128 Villas located on the beach including some family villas as well several luxurious overwater Villas. The resort design is a fusion of contemporary trends and traditional old school Maldivian features. Radisson Blu Maldives offers first-class water sports, a wide array of activities, a beautiful yoga and spa pavilion and several fine dining options.
BOOK Radisson BLU Maldives
The resorts located further with access to the whale shark sanctuary
A bit further from SAMPA you will find other resorts who also offer a great access to South Ari Atoll whale shark sanctuary.
These resorts are not only well located, they also offer excellent snorkeling around their island reefs ! A Double dream.
Vilamendhoo
Vilamendhoo 
Location : Close to SAMPA
Vilamendhoo is located a bit further north from the SAMPA area. It is also one of the best places in Maldives to snorkel with whale sharks. The resort organizes Whale Shark Excursions to swim with them every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Whale shark spotted by Vilamendhoo
About Vilamendhoo Island Maldives
Vilamendhoo Island is heavenly beautiful. The 4* Resort offers an extraordinary and close-by house reef ( one of the best snorkeling in Maldives ) plus an excellent value for money with its All Inclusive plan in option.
The resort offers 194 Maldivian inspired beach and water villas, 4 restaurants and 4 bars with magnificent views at the lagoon and its reefs with a variety of world cuisine, including an Asian & Japanese restaurant, as well as snacks served at the bars.
Vilamendhoo is ideal for travelers looking for a romantic or a family getaway on a budget. Couples will love the island adults-only section, separated from the main resort.
Book Vilamendhoo
Nova Maldives ( prev. Vakarufalhi )
Location : close to SAMPA
Nova Maldives 
Location : Close to SAMPA
Previously known as Vakarufalhi, NOVA Maldives house reef is a renowned location in Maldives for diving with countless whale sharks and mantas. The resort even has shark points and shipwrecks all near the island shores. Nova Maldives has such a rich marine life that you might be able to spot a whale shark in the area.
The newly opened hotel is a 5* modern luxury all-inclusive resort defining itself as a smart, playful, rooted and responsible resort with a laidback feeling.
Whale shark spotted by NOVA Maldives
About NOVA Maldives
Nova Maldives is a modern luxury All-Inclusive resort which defines itself as a smart, playful, rooted and responsible resort with a laidback feeling.
Opened in June 2022, the beautiful resort features 76 villas in ten different categories including inter-connecting Beach Villas for families and groups of friends, 5 restaurants and bars, a Spa, a gym and outdoor training area, a wide variety of watersports and a diving center.
Nova Maldives offers a full board base meal plan and an All-Inclusive option.
BOOK NOVA MAldives
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& personal counsellor in Maldives
Cost for Swimming With Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll
The price for swimming with whale sharks in South Ari Atoll is roughly the same as in all Maldives.
It will vary according to your accomodation, whether you saty in a luxury resort, a 4* resort or on a local island ( in a guest house or a hotel )
A group excursion will cost from approximately 150 USD to 280 USD / person for 2-3 hours.
Private tours are of course more expensive as you will enjoy your own boat, guide and marine biologist only for yourself. They are entirely customizable ( you can order anything you wish on the boat, meals, Champagne, canapes…it’s up to you ).
Traveling on a budget ?
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