Diving with Tiger Sharks in Fuvahmulah
Part of our New Wave series — trip reports from real divers and creators. Sarah traveled as a hosted creator.
I’m Sarah. I’m an SSI divemaster, underwater photographer and ocean conservationist. I split my time between South Australia and Indonesia.
I’ve spent years campaigning to protect sharks. My dream is to swim with every species on Earth. The tiger shark is my favorite.
I always thought the Maldives was only for the super rich. Five-star resorts, way out of my budget. Then BookDiveBoat invited me to Fuvahmulah. I’m home now, and I already want to go back.
Sarah on the island, and the animal she came for. Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
The island
Why the Tiger Sharks Come to Fuvahmulah
Picture warm air all day and night. Friendly people. Palm trees on every beach. The bluest water you’ve ever seen. That’s Fuvahmulah.
It’s the only island in the Maldives with no shallow lagoon. It’s basically the top of an underwater mountain. Just off the beach, the reef drops thousands of meters. That’s why the sharks are here.
Tuna fishing is big in the Maldives. Fishermen used to clean their catch at sea and throw the scraps overboard. The scraps brought in tiger sharks. In 2019, divers set up a site called Tiger Point. Today the sharks show up every day.
Here, sharks are worth more alive than dead. Diving helps pay to protect the ocean around the island. You see it everywhere, even on the street signs.
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
Want the full story of the island? Read our Fuvahmulah shark island guide.
Getting there
From Malé to Fuvahmulah, and the Luggage Trap
You land in Malé, the capital. Most people spend a night there. It’s a fun little city to explore. In the afternoon, walk to the harbor. You’ll see rays gliding in to eat the fishermen’s scraps.
Next, walk from the international terminal to the domestic one. A small plane takes you to Fuvahmulah. Flights run about twice a day. They’re included in your dive package.
Watch your luggage. The plane is small, so the limits are strict. Carry-on means a backpack, nothing bigger. You’ll likely have to check your normal carry-on bag. Extra baggage fees are common.
The flight is beautiful. It’s all blue ocean and tiny islands. You land at a very small airport. The dive center team meets you there. They drop your gear at the shop, then take you to the hotel.
The flight in, the airport pickup, and the dive truck through town. Film: @sarah.underwater_
Where I stayed
A Hotel on a Local Island, Not a Luxury Resort
Forget overwater villas. This is a real local island, with shops, cafes and a busy harbor. I stayed at Fuvahmulah Central Hotel. The same team runs the dive center next door. All meals are included, and the food is great.
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
When you arrive, they add you to a WhatsApp group. Download the app before you land. Mobile data is pricey, and I ran out in a few days. It didn’t matter, though. The hotel and every restaurant have Wi-Fi. The only place without signal is the boat, and you’re never on it for long.
A day of diving
Three Dives a Day, Tiger Sharks Every Day
Every night, the dive center sends the next day’s plan. It tells you when the truck will pick you up. You do three dives a day: a deep dive, a reef dive and the tiger dive.
The times change daily. Why? All the island’s dive centers share Tiger Point and take turns.
Boat rides are short. Tiger Point is just minutes from the harbor. Most sites are 5 to 10 minutes away, and the farthest is about 20. Between dives, you go back to the harbor for food and drinks. You’re usually done by 2 or 3 pm.
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
🦈 Tiger Point
An easy, shallow dive just outside the harbor. Half an hour with tiger sharks right in front of you.
🌊 The deep dive
You search the blue for big animals like thresher sharks. Not deep certified? Stay shallower with a guide.
🐢 The reef dive
Reefs and walls, with turtles and schools of fish. The water is so clear you can see far into the blue.
Dive boats waiting in Fuvahmulah harbor, minutes from Tiger Point.
The highlight
Tiger Point: Face to Face with My Favorite Animal
If you love big animals, you’ll love this place. You dive with tiger sharks every day.
Tiger Point is easy and shallow, about 8 to 10 meters deep. You swim along the reef to a spot with blocks to hold on to. The guides hide bait under rocks in front of you. Then the tiger sharks swim right up to you. You get a full briefing before every dive. Touching the sharks is not allowed.
A tiger shark in open blue water at Tiger Point. Film: @sarah.underwater_
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
These sharks are huge. Seeing them this close is unforgettable. I’ve fought shark finning and overfishing for years. I never thought I’d share the water with tiger sharks like this.
They’re not killing machines. They’re not scary. They’re breathtaking.
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
Overhead passes and reef fish on the tiger dive. Film: @sarah.underwater_
Planning your own shark trip? Our guide to the best shark diving in the Maldives covers the other species and sites.
Island life
Afternoons, Sunsets and Good Food
Diving ends by mid-afternoon, so you have time to explore. The island is small, so rent a scooter. Try a few restaurants. Catch the sunset over the ocean. The dive shop crew will help with anything you need.
Breakfast, Cafe Eden, and lunch between dives. Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
You can pay in US dollars or local rufiyaa, but locals prefer rufiyaa. Change money in Malé or use the ATM on the island. Most restaurants take cards. Bring some cash for snacks, lunch and shopping.
Photographs: @sarah.underwater_
Tiger sharks are in Fuvahmulah all year.
Tell us your dates. We’ll tell you what else you might see.
Or email: office@bookdiveboat.com
Why BookDiveBoat
The Maldives Is More Affordable Than You Think
Like Sarah, many people think the Maldives is only for luxury budgets. Fuvahmulah is different. It’s a local island, and one package covers it all: hotel, meals, domestic flights and diving.
A 6-night trip with 12 dives starts at $1,680 per person, based on three people sharing a room. That’s the price at the time of writing. Ask us for current dates and prices.
Want to see more of the Maldives from a boat? Read our Maldives liveaboard guide. For whale sharks and mantas, try South Ari Atoll.
Sarah dove with Fuvahmulah Central
See the hotel, the packages and what’s included.
Good to know
Before You Book Fuvahmulah
🎓 Experience
Open Water is enough for Tiger Point. Deeper sites need Advanced Open Water. You can freedive here too.
📅 Season
Tiger sharks are here all year. Oceanic mantas peak March to May. Whale sharks are likelier January to May.
🧳 Luggage & customs
Pack light for the small plane. It’s a Muslim island: dress modestly off the boat. No alcohol.
Hammerheads, threshers and other species come and go by season. Check our Fuvahmulah marine life calendar for every month.
The verdict
A Place That Makes Your Heart Happy
You arrive so excited to meet the tiger sharks. You leave in tears. The island is that beautiful, and the sharks change how you see them.
They’re huge, calm and amazing. We’re lucky to share the ocean with them.
One last walk on the beach. Film: @sarah.underwater_
More New Wave reports
Read Other Divers’ Reports
Every diver brings home a different trip. Here are three more from the Red Sea.
The answers
Questions about diving with tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah
Do I need Advanced Open Water to dive with tiger sharks?
Is it safe to dive with tiger sharks?
When is the best time to dive Fuvahmulah?
How do you get to Fuvahmulah?
Is a Fuvahmulah dive trip expensive?
Can you drink alcohol in Fuvahmulah?
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