The Maldives is an island nation nestled in the tropical waters of the central Indian Ocean, some 400 miles south-west of the southern tip of India. This tiny, idyllic Republic is composed entirely of coral atolls on which a staggering 1,200 sandy islands nestle. These are the picture postcard islands of your dreams, furnished with a tropical décor of swaying palms, white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons.

Although much-praised as a tourist destination, these exquisite islands are less well-known for the bounty of whale and dolphin species that swim these warm tropical waters.

On your days with us, you can expect some of the finest cetacean viewing on the planet; in the last two seasons our lead guide, a well-known authority on cetaceans, has seen an astounding 18 different species. Whilst keeping an eye out for tropical seabirds, we will scan the waters for such delights as Spinner and Risso's Dolphins, Sperm Whales and the gargantuan Blue Whale, the largest animal ever to have lived on the planet! This wealth of cetacean species is complimented by a variety of tropical pelagic birds, and we will spend our days scanning for Black-naped Tern, Bulwer's Petrel, Flesh-footed Shearwater and White-bellied Storm Petrel, to name a few.

As a distraction from the joys aboard our charming boat, we will take the time to stroll upon the bleached shores of some of the quaint islands and snorkel the teeming waters replete with a treasure chest of tropical fish. This is an unforgettable adventure, and we invite you to join us on this magical ocean and wildlife experience!

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