The Whale and Dolphin Company, Maldives

The Whale and Dolphin Company is the pioneer of cetacean watching in the Maldives. We strive to offer high quality whale watching from comfortable liveaboard vessels. We run multiday whale and dolphin watching cruises to some of the most remote atolls in the Maldives.

We do not offer one-day or half-day trips.

The main season is February to May. The weather in the Maldives at this time of year is usually calm and sunny, although there can be the occasional rain shower. In 2000, we are running five trips (average duration 12 days), between 5 March and 8 May. We will be visiting the southern-most and northern-most atolls of the Maldives, so our cruises provide a rare opportunity to break out of the central tourism zone.

All trips in 2000 are on board the 45 metre (150 foot) ship M.V. Pollux. She is an ideal cetacean-watching platform, offering stability and excellent viewing. Even with such a large vessel, we keep group sizes to just 12 so there is plenty of room for everyone.

All trips are run by Dr. Charles and Susan Anderson. Charles is a British marine biologist who has lived in the Maldives since 1983. Susan is a qualified nurse, and travel professional. Between them they have a wealth of experience of the Maldives and its marine life.

A typical day on board Pollux consists of several hours cruising outside the atolls watching whales and dolphins. All meals (plus morning and afternoon tea and coffee) are served on board. We spend enough time with each whale or dolphin pod to allow plenty of time for observation and photo opportunities, but taking care not to disturb the animals. In the late afternoon we anchor in a sheltered atoll lagoon, where the ship will spend the night. Depending on location and anchoring time there will be opportunities for island visits, reef snorkelling or swimming.

You will soon learn to distinguish the many different species, recognizing their distinctive shapes, blows and behaviours. Regular informative talks and evening slide shows will add greatly to your knowledge and enjoyment. You are welcome to take part in the recording of sightings as part of an on-going national survey. We have hydrophone, video and comprehensive reference library on board.

If you have visited the Maldives before, you will need no urging to return. We guarantee to show you the Maldives as you have never seen it before. If you have never visited the Maldives, come and see what everyone is talking about! Either way, with superb cetacean sightings, paradise islands and spectacular reefs, our enthusiastic team will give you an unforgettable vacation!

What do we see?

Despite the abundance of dolphins and whales in Maldivian waters, the study of cetaceans there is in its infancy. Of about 25 species that are likely to occur, 19 have been positively recorded by us so far. So there is still the chance of spotting something new! Of course, nothing can be guaranteed with wild animals, but on every trip we run we expect to see up to a dozen of the following species:

For further information and booking details contact:

Dr. Charles Anderson
The Whale and Dolphin Company
P.O. Bag 069
Maldives Post Ltd
Malé 
Republic of Maldives 

Tel & Fax:  (+960) 327024
Email:  anderson@dhivehinet.net.mv