Diving in Fuvahmulah 
Shark Island Dive Center

Year-round tiger shark encounters and 60-minute dives in the Maldives’ ultimate shark capital

The home of shark diving in the Maldives.

Fuvahmulah is the only one-island atoll in the Maldives and a true pelagic hotspot. Known worldwide as the “Shark Island” and the shark capital of the Maldives, it is the only place where tiger shark encounters are guaranteed year-round. Its deep reefs and nutrient-rich currents also attract hammerheads, threshers, oceanic mantas, whale sharks, and a variety of reef sharks, making it one of the best destinations in the world for shark diving and pelagic encounters.

Plan Your Fuvahmulah Dive

A dive trip to Fuvahmulah is more than just incredible shark encounters, it’s a chance to experience the rhythm of island life. Whether you’re here for a week of diving or traveling with family or a partner, the island offers a balance of adventure and relaxation. From daily dives to laid-back days exploring beaches and local culture, planning your trip ensures you get the most out of the Maldives’ shark capital

Best Time to Dive

Tiger sharks are seen in Fuvahmulah all year, making it one of the few places in the world with guaranteed encounters. Seasonal pelagics such as hammerheads, threshers, oceanic mantas, and even whale sharks also visit, adding variety to each diving season.

Recommended Stay

To fully experience what Fuvahmulah offers, we recommend a stay of 5–7 nights. This allows enough time to dive multiple sites, enjoy three dives daily, and still leave room to explore the island’s natural beauty and local culture

How to Get Here

Reaching the island is straightforward — just a 1-hour domestic flight from Malé, or for those seeking a slower journey, the RTL ferry from Addu offers a scenic ride across the atolls. Both options connect you easily to this remote shark-diving paradise.

Non-Diver Activities

Fuvahmulah is also perfect for families or couples traveling together. While divers are out at sea, non-divers can enjoy guided island tours, relaxing beach days at Thoondu, fishing trips, and cultural experiences that showcase the unique lifestyle of this one-island atoll.

Fuvahmulah Dive Sites

The best Fuvahmulah dive sites are concentrated around the island’s edges, offering a mix of drift, wall, and cleaning station dives.


The most famous dive site is TIGER HARBOUR in Fuvahmulah, where divers encounter tiger sharks at 6–15m. Accessible for Open Water divers.


  • Most dives in Fuvahmulah involve strong currents, so divers should be comfortable with drift diving.
  • Many sites also require Advanced Open Water certification or higher due to depth and conditions.

Bilhifeyshi (Southeast)

Drift dive over a sloping reef, known for frequent thresher sightings.

Thundi (North)

A thresher shark cleaning station at ~30m, recommended for Advanced divers due to strong currents.

Farikede (South)

A thrilling drift dive for Advanced divers, dropping to 50m+ with threshers, tigers, mantas, and hammerheads.

Rasgefanno (East)

A gentler wall dive (5–30m) with pelagic sharks, reef sharks, and schools of fish.

Megafauna of Fuvahmulah

See Fuvahmulah’s big animals with timing, hotspots, and conditions (currents, depth, visibility) in one simple guide.

All year Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) – Fuvahmulah

Tiger Shark Reliable

Galeocerdo cuvier

  • Season Year-round; clearest viz Jan–Apr
  • Where Tiger Zoo/harbor mouth (managed entry)
  • Notes Daily encounters; great media in NE monsoon
Oct–Apr Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) – Fuvahmulah

Scalloped Hammerhead Seasonal

Sphyrna lewini

  • Season Most reliable Oct–Apr (new/full moon helps)
  • Where Blue-water drifts; schooling in mid-blue
  • Notes Early launches & current improve odds
Oct–Dec • Apr–May Pelagic Thresher (Alopias pelagicus) – Fuvahmulah

Pelagic Thresher Frequent

Alopias pelagicus

  • Season Near year-round; stronger Oct–Dec & Apr–May
  • Where Dawn cleaning stations (≈12–30 m)
  • Notes Early starts & calm seas help
Mar–May • Oct–Dec Giant Oceanic Manta (Mobula birostris) – Fuvahmulah

Oceanic Manta Ray Seasonal peak

Mobula birostris

  • Season Peak Mar–May (esp. late Mar–Apr); pulses Oct–Dec
  • Where Outer slopes & blue-water
  • Notes Watch current lines & bait activity
Jan–May Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) – Fuvahmulah

Whale Shark Occasional

Rhincodon typus

  • Season Occasional year-round; better odds Jan–May
  • Where Blue-water scouting offshore
  • Notes Juveniles & large females recorded
Any month Oceanic Whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) – Fuvahmulah

Oceanic Whitetip Uncommon

Carcharhinus longimanus

  • Season Uncommon; any month
  • Where Blue-water pelagic drifts
  • Notes Bonus encounter; not predictable
Jan–Mar Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus) – Fuvahmulah

Silvertip Shark Occasional

Carcharhinus albimarginatus

  • Season Occasional; more reports Jan–Mar
  • Where Deeper ledges & blue-water drop-offs (≥30 m)
Rare Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) – Fuvahmulah

Shortfin Mako Very rare

Isurus oxyrinchus

  • Notes Unpredictable pelagic visitor (lucky sighting)
All year Reef Sharks — Grey & Whitetip (C. amblyrhynchos; T. obesus) – Fuvahmulah

Reef Sharks (Grey & Whitetip) Reliable

C. amblyrhynchos; T. obesus

  • Season Year-round
  • Where Reef walls, channels, caverns
  • Notes Consistent on most reef sites
Year-round Devil Rays (Mobula spp.) – Fuvahmulah

Devil Rays Occasional

Mobula spp.

  • Season Occasional year-round
  • Where Blue-water edges & cleaning lines
  • Notes Less predictable than oceanic mantas
All year Blue-water Pelagics — sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin, barracuda – Fuvahmulah

Blue-water Pelagics Year-round

Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Barracuda

  • Season Year-round; best on strong-current days
  • Where Offshore blue-water, current lines
Feb–May • Sep–Dec Cetaceans — pilot whales, spinner dolphins, occasional sperm whales – Fuvahmulah

Cetaceans Seasonal

Pilot whales; Stenella spp.; Physeter

  • Season Best seas Feb–May & Sep–Dec
  • Where Offshore during transfers/scouting
  • Notes Opportunistic sightings; calm days help