Many tourists visit the Maldives with one thing in mind: to swim with some of the archipelago’s twenty-plus shark species. Given their importance to the local ecosystem, shark fishing has been outlawed since 2010. Despite how they’ve been repeatedly portrayed in films and on TV, Maldivian sharks are peaceful and even sociable. Many people who have swum with sharks in the Maldives have described it as a unique experience.
What types of sharks might I find in the Maldives
These islands are home to twenty-plus shark species, ranging from the smallest of baby sharks to the enormous whale shark, which is the type that most tourists want to swim with.
The most in-demand species are the whale shark, which measures up to 12 metres long and is the largest fish on the planet; and the hammerhead shark, which can grow to 6 metres long but is seen less regularly in these waters.
Two of the most commonly spotted sharks on any dive or snorkel safari in the Maldives are types of reef sharks. These are the whitetip shark, which is one of the most populous species, and the grey shark, which can grow to be 2.5 metres long.
Other harmless shark species include the nurse shark, which measures up to four metres long and tends to live on the seabed; and the tiger shark, which is more commonly spotted in the waters of North Ari and off the island of Fuvahmulah, where hammerhead sharks can also be spotted.
Tips and precautions
In the Maldives, everything is magical and anything is possible. Depending on where you stay, you may even wake up to see small sharks swimming peacefully beneath your villa! Some hotels and resorts even feed these creatures at certain times every day, giving their guests the chance to see them without having to get in the water. This is much to the annoyance of ecologists, however, who argue that this is not the correct way to interact with these animals.
If you go snorkelling in the right spot, you might be able to catch a glimpse of some sharks in their natural habitat. However, you should note that you won’t be able to see them in great detail from the surface. If you want the full experience, your best bet is to book a place on a diving trip that will allow you to descend several metres beneath the surface to admire some larger sharks from up close.
Diving experts stress that just about anything can happen during these immersions, as is the case with any activity involving wild animals. Tourists are therefore asked to take caution during the dive. It’s worth noting, however, that no shark attacks have been recorded in the country for several decades.
Most of the sharks you’ll encounter in Maldivian waters are types of reef sharks, which are widely considered harmless to humans. The larger sharks found in the Maldives, such as tiger sharks and bull sharks, are not generally dangerous and rarely approach the beaches.
The most common shark-related incidents involve nurse sharks, which have been known to have a nibble at tourists who wade around in their waters as they’re being fed – all because they want a photo to upload to Instagram. In these unfortunate episodes, unsuspecting tourists splash about in the water and these innocent sharks mistake their feet for food. However, the bites are usually small.
As with any activity involving wild animals, there is always some level of risk. As such, basic precautions must be taken. For example, you should refrain from feeding the sharks and follow the advice of local operators and guides at all times. Diving and snorkelling are two completely safe and memorable activities that will allow you to admire sharks in their natural habitat.
Where can I swim with sharks in the Maldives
The best place to swim with sharks largely depends on the time of year. However, you have a good chance of seeing sharks at any time of year in the waters surrounding the Ari atoll. You may see some whale sharks, which are the most populous species in these reefs, and even the odd hammerhead shark if you’re lucky.
The Baa atoll is another good place for spotting whale sharks, which are the largest fish species on the planet. However, please note that whale sharks only navigate these waters during the rainy season, which runs from June to October.
Smaller reef sharks, such as the whitetip and blacktip sharks, can generally be found in the waters of any of the Maldivian atolls.
The most surefire way of seeing sharks is by booking a place on a diving safari. We strongly suggest booking with a reputable diving centre for an optimal experience.
