You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Our day began with an air of excitement as my wife, Sharmain, and I embarked on an adventure that promised to be nothing short of extraordinary. We set off from our resort, Angsana Velavaru, with our Maldivian captain and guide, both brimming with the same enthusiasm we felt about the possibility of encountering a whale shark up close. Sharmain and me were on a vacation to Maldives celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary.

The boat ride north towards Fenfushi Island was serene, the anticipation building with each passing minute. About 30 minutes into our journey, our guide gathered us to give essential safety instructions for snorkeling and the proper way to descend and ascend from the boat when we spotted a whale shark. His advice on keeping an eye on the boat to avoid drifting away was a reminder of the vastness of the ocean and the respect it commands.

Whale sharks are the gentle giants of the sea, and encountering one in its natural habitat is a humbling experience. These magnificent creatures, despite their intimidating size, are docile vegetarians that feed primarily on plankton. They also consume small fish, krill, and occasionally larger prey like squid or small crustaceans. Whale sharks are filter feeders, using their large mouths to filter these tiny organisms from the water as they swim. They visit the waters around Fenfushi Island to take advantage of the rich feeding grounds, drawn by the abundance of food.

Safety around a whale shark is paramount, not just for the creature but also for the swimmers and divers who might be swept up in the excitement of the moment. It’s easy to get carried away, and one must always be cautious of others to prevent accidental injuries from fins or abrupt movements.

Three hours into our ride, we reached Fenfushi Island, joining six or seven other boats whose captains and crews were equally vigilant in their search for a whale shark. The clear blue waters of the Maldives, revealing the surface of most reefs, added to the anticipation. Suddenly, a call came from one of the boats, and we rushed to a spot about 400 meters ahead.

Our guide instructed us to put on our fins and jump in quickly. Whale sharks, despite their size, can disappear into the depths swiftly if they feel threatened. As I made my way to the front of the boat I sat over the edge and jumped in within a matter of seconds. As I surfaced up I turned around to look up at the boat and I noticed Sharmain’s hesitation. She has a fear of the open sea, and while she has been overcoming it over the years, jumping into the middle of the ocean was a daunting challenge.

As I tried to encourage Sharmain to join me, I suddenly heard the guide’s urgent call to look down. There, just beneath me, was a majestic whale shark, over 20 feet long, gliding gracefully through the water. I quickly turned on my GoPro to capture the incredible moment. The sheer joy and exhilaration I felt were unparalleled. Breathing through my snorkel, I couldn’t help but smile as I watched this magnificent creature swim past.

For about 30 seconds, I was in a state of pure adrenaline. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to be up so close to such a fantastic being. Other swimmers soon approached, and within moments, the whale shark had vanished into the depths. Those 60 seconds felt like a lifetime. Realizing we couldn’t keep up with the whale shark, I swam back to the boat, eager to share my experience with Sharmain. She was overjoyed for me and content with staying on the boat, her smile reflecting her happiness.

We lingered around the coast for another hour, hoping for another sighting, but we weren’t fortunate a second time. Our captain mentioned that whale sharks are spotted on two out of every five trips, so we felt incredibly lucky to have had the chance that day.

We concluded our adventure with some snorkeling around a nearby island, marveling at the vibrant coral and sea life. But that’s a story for another time.

This experience was a testament to the wonders of nature and the thrill of encountering it up close. The joy, excitement, and awe we felt will remain with us forever, a cherished memory of our time in the Maldives.