Imagine the excitement of watching a great whale blowing, its powerful body surging through the water. If this is not enough how about a host of dolphins leaping from the sea in energetic bounds just a few feet in front to of you. If this appeals to you, then the Maldives has what you are looking for.

Over 20 different whale and dolphin species can be seen here. Compare this with the handful or less that are regularly seen at most other destinations and you will see why the Maldives is so attractive for whale and dolphin watchers. In addition to this great diversity of species, another great attraction of whale and dolphin watching in the Maldives is that it is so easy and comfortable. No problem with arctic winds here! There are very few other places where you can relax under tropical skies, watching giant whales swim past right in front of you.

The "Big Three" are the sperm whale, Bryde's whale and, biggest of them all, the blue whale. Pilot whales are particularly common, while other specialities include dwarf sperm whales and Cuvier's beaked whales. Melon-headed whales are commonest around the southern atolls, where they occur in enormous schools of 500 or more, and regularly bowride.

Among the dolphins, by far the most abundant, and the most acrobatic, is the spinner dolphin. Several other varieties, including Risso's dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins and striped dolphins are also common.

If you are confused by all these names, don't worry. A whale and dolphin watching cruise in the Maldives, with an expert naturalist on board, will soon have you separating your false killer whales from your pygmy killer whales.