Dhigurah is a long local island on the southern rim of South Ari Atoll (SAMPA), right beside one of the very few places on earth where juvenile whale sharks stay year-round. Its shallow house reef (roughly 1-6 m) runs the length of the island with easy beach entry, delivering reef fish and frequent turtle sightings, while the boat-based 'Whale Shark Point' about 10 km offshore lets you snorkel alongside whale sharks that cruise near the surface. Visibility is typically 15-30 m and the water stays a warm 27-30 C all year. As of 2026, whale sharks are seen on roughly three of every four tours, and a mandatory briefing by SAMPA-registered guides keeps the encounter tightly regulated.
Year-round juvenile whale sharks - one of the world's only resident aggregations and an MWSRP research base
A long house reef with drop-off and dense reef fish, reachable straight off the beach
Green and hawksbill turtles that graze the seagrass beds on the sunrise side of the island
Reef manta rays on their cleaning stations, most active in the dry season (Dec-Apr)
Sandbank snorkeling around untouched coral heads exposed at low tide
Good to know
SafetyWhale Shark Point is open, deep water. Stay at the surface (this is snorkeling, not freediving), keep fins and a float on, and never enter alone - currents can push you offshore, so stay with your guide and group at all times.
SafetySeveral boats work the area at once. Enter only on the guide's signal and check for boat traffic every time you surface. Beginners can panic from a fogged mask or over-breathing, so test your gear first and don't push past your comfort.
RulesSAMPA rules: keep at least 3 m from the shark's head and 4 m from its tail, never touch it, use no flash, and don't block its path. Maximum 15 minutes per person in the water, and solo snorkeling inside the protected zone is prohibited - a registered guide and briefing are required.
RulesNever stand on or kick the coral, and don't touch or collect coral, shells or marine life. Use reef-safe sunscreen free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
MannersDon't chase or feed turtles, mantas or whale sharks, and never block their path or crowd above them. Riding or grabbing a whale shark is strictly forbidden.
SeasonSightings are year-round but not guaranteed (about three tours in four). The dry season (Dec-Apr) brings clearer water, with mantas peaking Feb-Apr; during the southwest monsoon (May-Nov) whale sharks gather more on Dhigurah's eastern reef, but expect choppier seas and rain.
CautionAvoid unlicensed or overcrowded tours that chase sharks or exceed the visitor cap; choose SAMPA-registered operators. Confirm the latest price (whale shark tours run roughly US$90-100) and what it includes before booking.
Practical info
From Male airport it's about a 20-minute domestic flight to Maamigili plus a 20-minute speedboat, or roughly a 1.5-hour speedboat direct, to reach Dhigurah. The house reef is free to snorkel year-round via beach entry, while the whale shark and manta points are boat-only and require a SAMPA-registered guide. Check current season, pricing and tour requirements with local guesthouses or dive shops before you go.
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