Your guide to swimming with sharks in the Maldives

There is no “shark week” in the Maldives quite simply because you can spot these majestic marine beasts in the archipelago’s waters throughout the year.

Amongst the most breath-taking experiences to have, for any diver, is to swim in the open sea with sharks. You’ll come across 26 different shark species in the Maldives, many of whom are noticeable in house reefs and shallow waters.

Grossly misunderstood, sharks are, in reality, fascinatingly gentle creatures. There is undoubtedly a thrill of the unknown as one enters shark-infested waters, but most experienced divers will agree that sharks are more afraid of you than you need to be of them.

That is also why spotting a shark in the Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that can quickly transform your island trip into an unforgettable vacation.

Best time to spot sharks in the Maldives

If one must pinpoint shark season in the Maldives, it would have to be from November to late March. The sea is calm and clear during this time, increasing overall underwater visibility throughout the island chain.

Whale sharks in Baa Atoll are seen from June to October, but one can spot sharks in South Ari Atoll at any given time during the year.

Diving with sharks in the Maldives

Whale sharks are common in the Maldives, and most divers come across them at some point in time. However, for an almost guaranteed interaction, South Ari Atoll is the place to visit. Whale Shark Point near Maamigili Island is a protected area and home to over 80 sharks. Regular diving and snorkeling tours depart from nearby resorts to this noteworthy site.

For an extraordinary snorkeling adventure, head on over to Baa Atoll’s Hanifaru Bay. Popular as a feeding ground for manta rays, not many know that it also attracts grey sharks and doubles up as a mating area for whale sharks. 

An encounter with sharks can happen anywhere in the Maldives, but to observer the jaw-droppingly unique hammerheads, one must travel to Rasdhoo Atoll. Here, you’ll find the world-famous Hammerhead Point. Dives to the site take place early in the morning and at a depth of 30m. On most days, divers can expect a school of hammerheads float above them, a view one does not forget easily.

A hidden diving gem in the Maldives, off the tourist map, is Vaavu Atoll. At Alimathaa Pier, you can take a night dive to witness countless nurse sharks, residing not far away from the resort. Or else, go channel diving at Fotteyo Kandu and swim alongside hammerheads, dolphins, and a plethora of distinct fish.

Adventurous divers who like to push their limits will find a trip to Fuvahmulah to their liking. This single-island atoll has an impressive diving spot known as “Tiger’s Zoo”. With an expected population of close to 200 tiger sharks, experienced divers get the opportunity to face one of the ocean’s fiercest predators here.

Different species of sharks in the Maldives

There quite literally are plenty of fish in the sea around the Maldives, but the excitement associated with a shark sighting is unlike any other. Of the 20-odd species that call Maldivian waters their home are nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, lemon sharks, silver tips, and leopard sharks. A few, though, are more visible than others.

Whale shark

The biggest shark attraction in the Maldives is also the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks are peaceful creatures that primarily eat plankton or little fish; however, their presence can be daunting for some snorkelers. Preferring to swim near the surface, they are grey with white spots and range from 3 to 8 meters in size.

Hammerhead

The sight of a hammerhead can be frightening at first, but they are surprisingly shy and only interested in feeding on octopus and stingrays. Greyish with white bellies, their flat heads are their most distinguishing feature. The Maldives is one of the rare destinations on the planet where divers can witness schools of hammerheads swim around freely.  

Tiger shark

Found in the open water, there are a select few sites in the Maldives where tiger sharks roam. Growing to 5 meters in length, they have been known to attack humans. Having sharp teeth, a tiger shark has a whiteish underbelly and blue skin, and they eat everything from turtles and dolphins to seals and squid.

Whitetip reef shark

A little over a meter in length, whitetip reef sharks are small but easily recognized. Nocturnal in nature, you will come across these slender beings resting on the ocean floor during daytime dives. 

Blacktip reef shark

Easily distinguishable because of their fins having black tips, these sharks love the shallow sandy flats. There is an excellent chance you will see a juvenile near the beach during your Maldivian stay. Similar to the whitetip, they are short in length and are likely to take off quickly if approached.   

Shark diving in the Maldives is typically reserved for certified divers. Sharks are hardly ever attracted to humans, although one must take extra care not to touch, feed, or trouble them. While there have been no reports of shark attacks in the Maldives, those wanting to snorkel around them should be good swimmers. If not, you still might be lucky enough to view baby reef sharks eat smaller fish in shallow waters from the comfort of your resort beach.