Tiger Sharks (Resident)
The main reason most divers visit Fuvahmulah. Large, mature tigers cruise slowly past the group at Tiger Shark Harbour in shallow, camera-friendly depths.
Fuvahmulah, the Shark Diving Capital of the Maldives
Enjoy guaranteed daily tiger shark encounters, deep ocean safaris, and world-class pelagic diving — all curated with Aqua Atoll and trusted local dive partners.
How shark diving works in Fuvahmulah
Several licensed dive centres operate daily trips from Fuvahmulah. Each centre is allocated dedicated
time slots at the Tiger Shark Harbour so boats rotate safely through the area. A typical dive day
includes one tiger shark dive at the harbour
and one or two dives on nearby reefs,
walls or pelagic plateaus, chosen according to sea conditions and your experience level.
Scuba Diving in Fuvahmulah with Aqua Atoll
Fuvahmulah is the Maldives’ tiger shark and pelagic hotspot. Through Aqua Atoll you’ll dive with trusted local centres that keep groups small, follow strict shark protocols and focus on memorable, relaxed encounters rather than crowded chaos.
Tiger sharks all year
Deep-ocean pelagics
Small & private groups
Advanced & recreational dives
Fuvahmulah Dive Conditions by Month
Tiger sharks are resident all year. Seasons mainly influence sea state, visibility and which pelagics are more likely to be around. Tap a month to see a quick summary in the sliding bar.
Conditions and pelagic highlights will appear in a sliding notification bar at the bottom of your screen.
What Can You See in Fuvahmulah?
Fuvahmulah rises steeply from the deep Indian Ocean, making it one of the best places in the world to see sharks and big pelagics in recreational diving depths.
Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
Open-ocean hunters appearing in blue water and on deep edges – a highlight on Deep Ocean Safari days.
Silky Sharks
Fast, curious pelagic sharks often circling under the boat or gliding along the outer walls.
Oceanic Manta Rays
True oceanic mantas occasionally visit cleaning points and deep blue corners. Rare, but unforgettable when they appear.
Pelagic Thresher Sharks
Elegant sharks with a long tail fin, visiting deeper ledges and plateaus for cleaning and hunting.
Hammerhead Sharks
Occasional visitors in deeper blue water. Sightings are never guaranteed but always a bonus.
Mola mola (Sunfish)
Extremely rare deep-ocean visitors. Reported only a handful of times – a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Whale Sharks
Less frequent than in South Ari Atoll, but still sighted on deep channels and blue routes.
Oceanic Blacktip Sharks
Fast-moving pelagic sharks that may appear around baitfish and tuna schools in open water.
Tuna, GTs & Barracuda
Strong currents bring in schools of tuna, giant trevallies and barracuda, often hunting around the reef edges.
Turtles & Reef Life
When you are not focused on sharks, there are still turtles, reef fish and macro life along the walls and shallower sections.
Whale Sightings (Surface)
Occasionally, whales are spotted at the surface around Fuvahmulah, especially on full-day ocean safaris.
Key Dive Sites Around Fuvahmulah
These are some of the signature shark and pelagic sites used by our partner centres. Exact profiles and sites are chosen daily based on currents, wind and your experience.
Briefing-intensive but shallow and surprisingly relaxed when protocols are followed. Divers stay close together on a sandy bottom while tiger sharks approach calmly from different directions.
- Resident population of identified tiger sharks.
- Shallow depths extend bottom time and make it camera-friendly.
- Usually combined with a second reef or blue-water dive on the same day.
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Location preview:
Just outside Fuvahmulah Harbour on the southern side of the island.
Open in Google Maps
Just outside Fuvahmulah Harbour on the southern side of the island.
Open in Google Maps
Bucket-list shark encounter
Shallow & photo-friendly
A powerful drift along the edge of the plateau with tuna, trevallies and pelagic sharks appearing from the blue. Ideal for experienced divers who enjoy high-energy dives.
- Often planned as an early-morning dive.
- Reef hooks and DSMB skills strongly recommended.
- Best for divers comfortable in strong current and blue-water descents.
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Location preview:
Off the southern edge of Fuvahmulah island on a deep outer plateau.
Open in Google Maps
Off the southern edge of Fuvahmulah island on a deep outer plateau.
Open in Google Maps
High-energy pelagic dive
Great with Nitrox & hook
A great all-round site where shallow top reef gives way to a steeper slope and ledges. Good for mixed groups and as a second dive after an intense shark encounter.
- Plenty of turtles and reef life.
- Chance of mantas and sharks passing in the blue.
- Close to iconic Thoondu beach.
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Balanced reef & blue-water
Great for mixed groups
Used for check dives and easier days when conditions outside are rough. A good way to tune buoyancy before heading to more exposed plateaus.
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Location preview:
Close to the island’s shoreline, accessed quickly from the harbour.
Exact entry varies by dive centre.
Close to the island’s shoreline, accessed quickly from the harbour.
Exact entry varies by dive centre.
Known for a mix of reef and pelagic action. Depending on current, dives can be calm and scenic or fast and exciting.
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Location preview:
On the outer wall a short boat ride from Fuvahmulah.
Exact GPS point varies by operator.
On the outer wall a short boat ride from Fuvahmulah.
Exact GPS point varies by operator.
Classic corner dive. Divers hook in and watch the show as sharks and large fish cruise past in the current.
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Location preview:
On a prominent bend of the outer reef.
Used when currents are flowing favourably.
On a prominent bend of the outer reef.
Used when currents are flowing favourably.
Offers a bit of everything: sand patches, wall sections and the chance of pelagics passing overhead or out in the blue.
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Location preview:
On the outer edge of the island with channel-like topography.
Entry point varies with current.
On the outer edge of the island with channel-like topography.
Entry point varies with current.
When conditions line up, mantas circle slowly above the cleaning heads while divers settle on the sand and watch from a respectful distance.
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Location preview:
On a section of reef where cleaning blocks form natural manta stations.
Season and plankton influence activity.
On a section of reef where cleaning blocks form natural manta stations.
Season and plankton influence activity.
Divers spend most of the dive suspended in the water column, watching for sharks, rays and large fish moving through the deep blue.
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Location preview:
Offshore in open ocean, positioned according to current and wind on the day.
Used mainly on Deep Ocean Safaris.
Offshore in open ocean, positioned according to current and wind on the day.
Used mainly on Deep Ocean Safaris.
Scuba Diving Prices in Fuvahmulah
Below are sample rates for guided boat dives with our partner centres in Fuvahmulah. Share your dates and experience level and we’ll confirm the best options for you.
Guided Boat Dives (per dive)
| 1 – 10 dives | US$ 90 |
|---|---|
| 11 – 19 dives | US$ 85 |
| 20 – 29 dives | US$ 80 |
| 30+ dives | US$ 75 |
Prices are indicative and may vary slightly by partner centre, season and payment method.
Tiger Shark & Extras
| Tiger Shark Dive | US$ 105 |
|---|---|
| Group & club rates | On request |
Special offers are available for small private groups
and dive clubs – tell us your
dates and number of divers.
Equipment rental prices are shown in a sliding notification bar – average prices, subject to change.
Deep Ocean Safaris with Shark Island Dive Center
For dedicated big-animal days, Aqua Atoll can arrange Deep Ocean Safaris together with Shark Island Dive Center – a full-day excursion from Fuvahmulah focused on snorkelling and diving with pelagic sharks.
Typically you depart around 09:00 and return around 15:00–16:00. Depending on conditions, the day can include snorkelling or diving with silky sharks, oceanic whitetips, tuna, GTs and, on very special days, whales or whale sharks in the blue.
Water, fruits and light refreshments are served on board. Trips can be arranged as shared experiences or as a private charter for your own group.
Share your travel dates and whether you prefer scuba, freediving or snorkelling, and we’ll customise the safari plan for you.
Planning your shark diving in Fuvahmulah? Let Aqua Atoll help you put everything together.