Secret Paradise Maldives

12/02/2025

DID YOU KNOW? 🐬

There is a code of conduct for safe and responsible dolphin encounters.

These guidelines, are designed to minimize disturbance to the dolphins and protect their natural behavior, whilst still allowing you magical and memorable encounters.

Full details can be found here:
http://bit.ly/3YpeeMM

11/02/2025

Decision time!
Have you experienced evening tea - hedhikaa in the Maldives?
Do you have a favourite?

10/02/2025

SOUTH ARI MARINE PARK WHALE SHARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Taking learnings from Hanifaru Bay Marine Protected Area, data from MWSRP, and feedback from stakeholders, the SAMPA Management Plan is designed to bring about much needed changes to snorkeling & diving operations within SAMPA and other whale shark designated areas.

🙋‍♂️SNORKELING GUIDES
- Guides operating with SAMPA must hold a SAMPA registered guide certificate issued by EPA
- Registered guides operating with SAMPA must know the guidelines well and will be required to take a test and pass an exam
- Registered guides operating with SAMPA must be EFR certified
- Registered Guides must achieve minimum rescue diver certification within 1 year of registration as a SAMPA guide
- The SAMPA registered guide certification is valid for 3 years.
- The SAMPA registered guide certificate must be renewed 3 months before expiry, including resitting of test and submission of new copies of certifications RD and EFR.
- Process for registration will be through EPA and details are not yet published.

🚤VESSELS
- All vessels visiting SAMPA and whale shark areas must be registered with the EPA
- All vessels currently operating within SAMPA must register within the next three months (By end April 2025)
- The following are required to be submitted for registration - Vessel Registration Certificate, Maritime License, Seaworthiness Certificate, Passenger Certificate.
- Vessels must install guards on propellers if operating within 250 metres of a whale shark
- If operating within 250 metres of a whale shark or within SAMPA, vessels must not exceed five knots per hour
- Within 50 meters of whale shark, speed should not exceed two knots per hour
- Vessels are required to be 25m away from other vessels
- Vessels smaller than 10ft and water sport equipment including jet skis cannot operate within SAMPA
- Vessels must maintain a 1km distance seaward from the reed edges of all islands between the southwest corner of Rangali island and the northern tip of Dhigurah island.
- A SAMPA ranger vessel from the ministry will monitor the site to ensure compliance

🤿WHALE SHARK ENCOUNTERS
- For every 6 guests with the whale shark there must be a SAMPA registered guide.
- When the whale shark is sighted the vessel must inform SAMPA rangers and hoist the flag which will be provided by EPA to registered vessels. The flag will indicate the vessel has sighted a whale shark - Including the vessel which has sighted the whale shark, a maximum total of 4 vessels can join the encounter in the water
- Maximum number in the water at any time with the whale shark can not exceed 60 people.
- Each person can be with the whale shark in the water for no longer than 15 mins
- According to weather conditions the SAMPA rangers have the right to change the number of guides and guests in the water with the whale shark
- SAMPA registered guides must give briefing to guests of the area and code of conduct before snorkeling with the whale shark.
- EPA who issue SAMPA guide certification has the right to suspend the license for no shorter than 1 year or cancel the certification if guides do not abide by the rules and regulations
- Before going for diving or snorkeling in SAMPA permission must be acquired - process to be published
- For snorkeling and freediving the area can only be used from morning 6am to evening 6pm
- During whale shark encounters no one should not go in front of the whale shark or be positioned further forward than the gills
- A 3m distance from body and 4m from tail must be maintained at all timeswhen snorkeling with the whale shark
- It is strictly prohibited to touch whale sharks or attempt to swim alongside them while holding on.
- Feeding whale sharks is prohibited
- Interactions should be approached calmly and quietly, with movement limited to the sides of the whale sharks to avoid chasing or obstructing their natural path
- The use of flash photography, selfie sticks, or bright lights during interactions is prohibited
- Drone aerial photography must be operated at least 30 metres above sea level and within the operator's line of sight.

Currently, documents are in Dhivehi only and therefore this is an unofficial translation which highlights the key requirements.

Thank you Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme Government departments and local stakeholders for work and time that has gone into producing the SAMPA Management Plan. Changes will, in the long term, result in positive experiences for both whale sharks and tourists.

09/02/2025

As we head into our third year of partnership with Manta Trust and the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme in supporting the Rahveshi Programme, we asked the team to share the key activities and achievements of 2024.
The year has certainly been another impactful one!

Discover the key achievements of the Rahveshi Programme in 2024, our partnership with Manta Trust, and future plans for manta ray conservation in the Maldives.

07/02/2025

Congratulations, Shaffaf, on your work anniversary. 🎉
Nine years delivering awesome tours and leading the airport team to deliver great service and communication with guests and local partners.

We are looking forward to celebrating the big 10 with you next year 😀

06/02/2025

February 6th is the annual opening of The People Majjlis and is also denoted as a public holiday.

Majlis is an Arabic term meaning a place of sitting, used in the context of council or in the case of the Maldives, the Parliament.

Today, the President of the Maldives will address the nation and Parliament members providing a review of the previous year and highlight the plans and development projects that are scheduled for the coming year.

03/02/2025

Look up when wandering through a local island, and you may find janburol hanging from the branches of the 'water apple' tree.

Whilst it may at first appear to be a fruit, it is actually part of the berry family.

02/02/2025

Today, the 2nd February World Wetlands Day. Have you visited a wetland or mangrove area in the Maldives?

The day is celebrated to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for both people and our planet.

Wetlands provide many benefits such as food and habitat for fish and wildlife, protection against floods; shoreline erosion control and opportunities for recreation, education, and research .

The Maldives is blessed with miles of coastline but also with vast areas of natural wetlands. For an island nation like the Maldives, which may be impacted by climate-change related risks, wetlands offer essential protection.

Wetlands can act as barriers against rising sea levels and flooding caused by extreme weather events. They contribute to waste water management, groundwater recharge, freshwater storage, and purify water that flows through their systems. Plants found in these areas as well as along the shoreline are critical in controlling erosion.

In recent years, greater focus has been put on these areas, with Addu and Fuvahmulah being added to the list of UNESCO biosphere reserves.

Join us on our deep north or Addu tours and discover there is so much more to the !

01/02/2025

Sunsets a fusion of colour and light at the end of every day.

31/01/2025

He that plants trees, loves others besides himself. – Thomas Fuller

30/01/2025

A father and son enjoy the tranquility of shore fishing on a local Maldivian island. The sound of the waves, the calm breeze, and the thrill of the catch – it's a reminder of the simple joys that make island life so special.

29/01/2025

Today we delivered 9kg of single-use plastic bottles to the Parley Maldives Collection Depot in Male. These bottles will now begin their journey towards upcycling and repurposing, rather than ending up polluting our pristine environment or harming marine life.

At the depot, these plastics will be sorted and packed before being shipped for recycling through Parley’s Global Clean-Up Network. The materials are then transformed into valuable resources, such as Parley Ocean Plastic®, which is used to create sustainable products like footwear and clothing. This innovative process not only gives the plastic a second life but also raises awareness about reducing plastic waste.

28/01/2025

Whether you are planning to snorkel with whale sharks or manta rays, explore coral reefs, or participate in watersports, you play an important role in promoting safe and responsible tourism.

By being proactive and informed, you can ensure your own personal safety and help ensure operators follow best practices and adhere to marine life codes of conduct.

Whether you are planning to snorkel with whale sharks or manta rays, explore coral reefs or participate in watersports, you play an important role in promoting safe and responsible tourism.

27/01/2025

Whatever you are searching for have a great week ahead!

26/01/2025

When travelling with Shark on tour you have the chance to tap into your creativity and join him for exclusive art sessions throughout the tour!

Check out Maria, one of our amazing guests who got artistic during a recent stop. Whether you’re drawing, painting, or just letting your imagination run wild, Shark makes space for everyone to express themselves!

So if you’re joining us on tour, don’t miss your chance to crrate unforgettable memories

25/01/2025

Time spent under a palm tree is never wasted 🌴

24/01/2025

Today is International Day of Education.

Whether an adult or a child, educational tours help develop an understanding of social and environmental issues around the world. They stir an interest in a subject matter and allow others to become more empathetic and respectful towards other cultures as well as towards their own surroundings.

Every day can be a learning day on a Secret Paradiae tour.

23/01/2025

It was fantastic to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones at the Israafu Madhu Misraab: Single Use Plastics Alternatives Expo yesterday!

This event was all about finding sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, a major threat to our beautiful Maldivian coral reefs and marine life.

The expo highlighted ways to embrace a more eco-conscious lifestyle or business operation through reuse, repair, and responsible consumption.The event supported businesses offering reusable products and fostered collaboration between local businesses, international suppliers, and the community.

'Waste isn't waste until you waste it'

Organized under the REmoving PLAstics from our Coastal Environment (REPLACE) Project, an initiative by SIGS to reduce ocean plastics in Maldives. This project is funded through the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE Project) which is implemented by South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) with the support of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with the support of the World Bank.