Purpose‑built curriculum
Freedive & scuba tracks with step‑by‑step skill blocks, from breathwork and trim to shark body‑language decoding.
Selected weeks — March & April 2026
Dive Expert Workshops in Fuvahmulah
Annual small‑group workshops for Freediving with Sharks and Scuba Shark Behavior —learn to connect with pelagics, read body language, and dive responsibly in the Maldives’ shark capital.
Breathwork & Safety
Ethical + Controlled Encounters
Citizen Science Add‑on
Why join these workshops?
Hosted every year by visiting marine scientists, freediving champions, and environmentalists —regular guests of Shark Island Dive—our goal is to deepen your understanding of sharks while improving technique, safety and ocean stewardship.
Tiny groups
Low ratios in water so you get real coaching time and unhurried encounters.
Behavior & ethics
How to approach, position, and exit calmly; reading intent; staying in the green‑zone for the animal.
Media clinics
Optional photo/video reviews: framing, natural‑light color, and keeping the story ethical.
Conservation
Briefings from scientists & environmentalists; citizen‑science logging of notable encounters.
Fuvahmulah advantage
Year‑round tiger shark presence plus seasonal pelagics—coached by local pros.
Dates & seats
Workshops run on selected weeks in March & April 2026. Each cohort is limited for safety and coaching quality. Choose Freediving , Scuba , or a Hybrid track.
- Tentative windows: early & late March; mid & late April (exact week releases via email).
- Small groups; priority to returning guests.
- Join the list below to receive date announcements & rates first.
Who should join?
- Scuba: AOW (or equivalent) recommended; comfortable in blue‑water.
- Freedive: Comfortable open‑water snorkeler or Wave 1/Pool foundation; safety‑first mindset.
- Age 15+; good fitness; medical clearance if needed.
- Respect for wildlife and workshop ethics.
Not sure which track fits? We’ll help you pick during pre‑screening.
Curriculum overview
Both tracks share daily briefings and conservation talks. Water time is tailored to your chosen path.
Freediving with Sharks Breathwork · Positioning · Safety
Surface breathwork; duck‑dive efficiency; trim & approach angles; proximity control; reading stress signals; buddy systems; line‑session refresher (optional).
Scuba: Shark Behavior & Control Buoyancy · Trim · Awareness
Neutral hover in blue‑water; situational awareness around multiple animals; body‑language decoding; non‑intrusive positioning for photos and observation.
Conservation & Citizen Science Briefings
Talks by scientists & environmentalists on local ecology, threats, and how workshops support ocean stewardship. Optional encounter‑logging add‑on.
Photo & Video Clinics Optional
Natural light color; composition & ethics; minimizing disturbance; basic editing workflow.
A day in the workshop
07:30
Breathwork / briefing: conditions, ethics, objectives.
09:00
Open‑ocean session (freedive or scuba) with coached positioning and behavior reads.
12:30
Lunch & reset.
15:00
Conservation talk / media clinic; optional pool/line refreshers.
18:30
Debrief & Q&A. Next‑day objectives.
Workshop hosts
Rotating faculty: marine scientists, freediving champions, and environmentalists—our regular guests each year. Line‑up is announced closer to dates.
Marine Scientist
Shark ecology & behavior briefings; citizen‑science protocols.
Freediving Champion
Breathwork, approach, and mindset for calm encounters.
Environmental Advocate
Ethical guidelines, impact minimization, and local stewardship.
What’s included
- Daily coached water sessions (track‑specific)
- Briefings, conservation talks & Q&A
- Safety support and workshop materials
- Light refreshments on boat
Not included
- Flights & transfers to Fuvahmulah
- Accommodation & full‑board meals (see Fuvahmulah stays )
- Personal gear & insurance
- Photo/video add‑on
Safety & ethics
We operate with strict codes for animal welfare and diver safety. Briefings are mandatory; participation is at guide discretion based on conditions and guest readiness.
- Zero‑touch policy; no feeding or harassment.
- Adherence to buddy systems and guide commands.
- Health questionnaire & medicals where applicable.
Reserve your seat for March & April 2026
Seats are limited. Register interest now and we’ll email the exact weeks and rates as they’re released.
FAQ
Do I need to be an expert?
No—these are coached workshops. We screen for comfort and place you in the right track and ratio.
Will I definitely see sharks?
Fuvahmulah has year‑round tiger shark presence and frequent pelagics. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this is one of the world’s most reliable locations.
Can I switch tracks?
Hybrid options exist. We’ll advise what’s safe and realistic based on your background.
What about equipment?
Bring your own where possible. Limited rentals are available on request; let us know your sizes in advance.
