Expedition Overview

Join us onboard!

Thank you for your interest in learning more about how to support MWSR. By joining us aboard our research vessel and helping us collect baseline data on whale sharks and the marine environment, participants are a crucial part of the success of our research and organisation.

Joining MWSR is a life-changing experience. Our programme offers you the opportunity to get hands-on with research and data collection, increase your knowledge on marine conservation, and have a great time doing it. We look for enthusiastic people with a love of nature who are not afraid of hard work!

How can you help?

We do not side-line Expeditioners into ‘bit part’ roles, but instead offer you the chance to get stuck in with every aspect of what we do, from measuring sharks in the water to taking I.D shots and helping us record our data. You can become a valuable asset to our work in the time you spend with us, and in doing so help to conserve whale sharks and their marine habitat. Please do bear in mind that this is NOT a pleasure cruise and that you will be expected to help us with the data collection and data entry.

Requirements

Not a marine biologist? Not a problem! We welcome people of all ages, talents, and nationalities. We find that it is the diverse skills that participants bring that make a huge impact on the Programme.

Project Location

MV Akoya Pearl (2026)

A traditionally crafted and built Turkish gulet, complete with sails.

With two decks and 6 cabins, Akoya Pearl accommodates 10 passengers comfortably. All cabins are air-conditioned with an attached bathroom including shower, drawer and storage facilities and portholes.

There is an outdoor dining area protected from the weather in the event of rain!

The small indoor saloon area is furnished with banquette seating and is equipped with a TV-DVD-Stereo area and an equipment charging area. The communal open-air deck space is furnished with sun mats and seating.

From our base on MV Akoya Pearl, we’ll take daily survey trips out on the dhoni through the largest Marine Protected Area of the Maldives, South Ari Marine Protected Area. Menus include Maldivian and some European dishes, freshly prepared on board by chefs who will do their best to cater for the most specific dietary requirements. Please discuss any dietary requirements with us beforehand.

Apply

To join an Expedition with MWSR, you must fill out and submit an application form.

Once you’ve submitted your application, we will reply within 2 weeks. Make sure you check your SPAM folder too! If you have any questions that have not been answered in the FAQ section of this website, please do not hesitate to contact us at volunteer@maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org. Secret Paradise Maldives will be your main point of contact for all booking-related matters, allowing MWSR to concentrate on what we do best—research, data analysis, and the citizen science platform.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to reviewing your application.

– the MWSR team

Dates 2026

June 28th – July 8th (10 nights)
Sept 28th – October 8th (10 nights)
November 1st – 11th (10 nights)
December 23rd – January 2nd (10 nights)

Dates 2027

April 11th – 21st (10 nights)
May 5th – 15th (10 nights)
June 17th – 27th (10 nights)
July 3rd – 13th (10 nights)
September 21st – October 1st (10 nights)
October 11th – 21st (10 nights)
November 2nd – 12th (10 nights)

Expedition fees are an essential part of helping to keep MWSR in operation by conducting research and conservation initiatives. These fees go towards covering the rental of the research dhoni (boat) + “mother” boat (when boat-based expeditions), accommodation, food, fuel, and project-related expenses. MWSR does not own a research vessel or have staff accommodation; therefore, we must partner up for the Expeditions.

Included: food & water, accommodation, research vessel, guiding.

Not included: international flight, travel insurance, snorkelling equipment.

More information: volunteer@maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org

Mindfulness

MWSRP research projects are located in environmentally and culturally sensitive parts of the Maldives. We are privileged guests in the Maldives and ask that all volunteers be mindful of that. Volunteers naturally represent and serve as ambassadors of the MWSRP and we insist that they recognise local cultural sensitivities and adapt their behaviour accordingly.

MWSRP has a responsibility to minimise negative impacts on local environments and communities where we work. We work hard to ensure just and sustainable practices when conducting research, working within the communities and during down-time. It is ultimately the volunteer's responsibility to bring their best self.