OCEAN ENCOUNTERS
Guest Marine Biologist Programs
What participants do day-by-day. Which programmes feed real research. Costs, age requirements, and how to choose.
Programme-by-Programme Breakdown
Each programme has a different focus, duration, and style. All three produce real data.
Four Seasons Marine Discovery
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll
The most established guest marine biology programme in the Maldives. Led by a full-time team of marine biologists. Data from manta identification sessions feeds directly into the Manta Trust global database. The Reefscapers coral programme has 10+ years of tracked data.
Duration
Half-day to multi-day
Age Requirement
Adults and teens (12+)
Focus
Manta ray identification, coral reef monitoring, turtle tracking
Research Partner
Manta Trust, Reefscapers Programme
Day-by-day schedule
Teen programme: Dedicated teen programme (12 to 17) runs during school holidays. Structured like the adult programme but with more hands-on activities and shorter briefings.
Six Senses Turtle Monitoring
Six Senses Laamu, Laamu Atoll
Laamu Atoll has important turtle nesting beaches. Guests join the marine biologist on turtle monitoring patrols, learning photo-ID techniques. Data goes to the Olive Ridley Project. During nesting season (Mar to Jun), you may witness nesting or hatchling emergence.
Duration
Half-day to 2 days
Age Requirement
Adults and teens (10+)
Focus
Green turtle and hawksbill turtle monitoring, nest protection
Research Partner
Olive Ridley Project, Maldives Turtle Conservation
Day-by-day schedule
Teen programme: Family-friendly programme. Children 10+ participate alongside parents. Shorter sessions with more visual identification exercises.
Banyan Tree Coral Monitoring
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, North Male Atoll
Banyan Tree has operated a marine lab since 2001. Guests learn the Reef Check survey method: counting indicator species along a transect line. The data feeds into the Reef Check global database. Good for guests who want structured, scientific methodology.
Duration
Half-day
Age Requirement
Adults and teens (14+)
Focus
Coral reef health assessment, reef check methodology
Research Partner
Banyan Tree Marine Lab, Reef Check International
Day-by-day schedule
Teen programme: Teen participation at 14+ with Open Water certification for the dive option. Snorkel option available for younger teens.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Quick reference for choosing between the three programmes.
| Feature | Four Seasons | Six Senses | Banyan Tree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programme duration | 1 to 4 days | Half-day to 2 days | Half-day |
| Cost | $150 to $500 | $100 to $300 | $100 to $200 |
| Age minimum | 12+ | 10+ | 14+ |
| Focus species | Mantas, turtles, coral | Turtles | Coral reef ecosystem |
| Data feeds research | Yes (Manta Trust) | Yes (Olive Ridley) | Yes (Reef Check) |
| Marine biologist | Full-time team | Resident biologist | Marine lab staff |
| Dive required? | No (snorkel-based) | No (snorkel-based) | Optional (snorkel or dive) |
| Teen programme | Yes (school holidays) | Yes (family format) | Limited (14+) |
| Best season | Jun to Nov (mantas) | Mar to Jun (nesting) | Year-round |
| Transfer from Male | Seaplane 30 min | Domestic flight + boat | Speedboat 20 min |
Interested in marine biology on your trip?
Tell us your dates, ages, and interests. We will recommend the right programme and handle the booking.
What You Actually Do
These are the hands-on tasks across all three programmes. You are not watching a presentation; you are doing the work.
Photo-ID data collection
You photograph manta rays or turtles from specific angles. Each animal has unique markings (manta belly patterns, turtle facial scales). Your photos are matched against the global database to track individual animals.
Transect surveys
You swim along a measured line (usually 100 meters) and count specific species. This data shows how reef health changes over time. You learn the standard Reef Check method used by scientists worldwide.
Coral fragment planting
You attach coral fragments to metal frames under the marine biologist's guidance. Each frame is GPS-tagged and monitored. You learn which coral species grow fastest and why placement depth matters.
Nest documentation
During turtle nesting season, you join beach patrols at dawn. If a nest is found, you learn to measure the nest, count egg chamber depth, and record GPS coordinates. Data is shared with conservation programmes.
Data entry and analysis
At the end of your programme, you enter your field data into the resort's database. The marine biologist shows you how your data fits into the larger research picture. You see how individual observations build a dataset.
Choosing the Right Programme
Match your interests and circumstances to the right resort.
For manta ray research: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
Visit Jun to Nov for manta season. The Manta Trust collaboration is the gold standard for guest participation in manta research. You will photograph and identify individual manta rays.
For turtle conservation: Six Senses Laamu
Visit Mar to Jun for nesting season. Laamu Atoll has critical turtle nesting habitat. The programme is accessible for families with younger teens (10+). Beach patrols at dawn are memorable.
For reef science methodology: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Visit any time (year-round programme). Best for guests who want structured, scientific methodology. The Reef Check training is recognized globally. Close to Male airport (20 min speedboat).
For teens: Four Seasons or Six Senses
Both have dedicated teen-friendly formats. Four Seasons runs structured teen programmes during school holidays. Six Senses is family-oriented, so parents and teens participate together.
On a budget: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Shortest programme, lowest cost, no seaplane transfer needed. The half-day format fits easily into a resort holiday without dedicating an entire day.
Practical Details
Fitness Level
- Comfortable snorkeling required for all programmes
- No diving certification needed (snorkel-based)
- Banyan Tree offers an optional dive session
- All programmes involve 1 to 2 hours in water
- Buoyancy aids available for weaker swimmers
What to Bring
- Own mask and snorkel (better fit)
- Underwater camera for photo-ID work
- Notebook for species identification notes
- Reef-safe sunscreen (applied 30 min before)
- Rash guard for extended water time
Booking Tips
- Book before arrival (programmes fill up)
- Multi-day programmes need 3+ night stays
- Four Seasons teen programme: book 2 weeks ahead
- Programmes run rain or shine (underwater anyway)
- Ask about combining with other marine activities
Ready to Do Real Marine Science?
Prefer to talk to someone directly? Call us at +960 771 9666 or chat on WhatsApp