By Lauren Jade Hill
As the only resort in the Maldives’ Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi has a privileged setting amid uninhabited islands and within crystal clear waters that are home to a wealth of marine life, including the majestic whale shark. Now, the island resort has announced its new partnership with ECOCEAN who are dedicated to conserving the world’s whale sharks. And as a result, guests will be able to see these whale sharks in their natural habitat.
The island is located just a short boat ride from ECOCEAN’s new whale shark feeding area, and it’s here that guests will be given the chance to see these marine creatures after dark from deck of the boat or by snorkeling beside them as the whale sharks pass through the Maldives December through April.
Established to gain insight into the numbers and movements of whale sharks in this atoll, the long term project will help ECOCEAN in their efforts to protect this species, while they use photo-identification to recognize individual whale sharks according to their unique markings, recording how often they are seen. Dr Brad Norman, the director and lead scientist of ECOCEAN says: “Seeing whale sharks feeding under the boats in Thaa Atoll at night is an incredible experience. We hope our research will tell us more about their behavior in Thaa Atoll, and ultimately contribute to global knowledge and conservation of the species.”
In addition to seeing this marine life on COMO Maalifushi’s new Whale Shark Excursion, guests can join marine life talks led by the resort’s marine biologist Lisa d’Silva in which she discusses the marine life, environment and eco system of this extraordinary part of the world.
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And while this new marine experience makes the island even more enticing, the resort draws luxury travelers in with its lavish villas amid tropical greenery, white sand shores and cobalt lagoon, along with its award-winning COMO Shambhala Retreat and gourmet dining settings.
Find out more about COMO Maalifushi and the new Whale Shark Excursion by going over to comohotels.com/maalifushi.
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