Training as a Divemaster in the world’s Tiger Shark Capital
In April 2024, I booked myself and a couple of dive buddies on a trip to Fuvahmulah. This is the only place on the planet where you can reliably, daily, see tiger sharks — not just one or two, but sometimes seven, ten, fifteen or more — circling just centimeters away from you.
What I thought it’d be just another cool diving experience lead to training as a Divemaster, and falling completely in love with Fuvahmulah, the Maldives’ wild southern one island atoll and home to one of the world’s most unique shark populations.
My First Encounter With Tiger Sharks
After wrapping up a liveaboard trip with clients, I added a side mission: a quick trip to Fuvahmulah to dive with the resident tiger sharks. I’d seen the stories on Instagram — a dive site where you always see tiger sharks - where encounters happen at eye level, face to face!
I was excited but also hesitant. I’d only ever seen one tiger shark before — from a distance — and the idea of diving with so many of them, at such close range, was intimidating to say the least!
The first briefing was serious. We were even handed long poles (not to touch or threaten the sharks, but to gently create space if one came too close).
Then we descended.
What I experienced changed me as a diver and also my perception of sharks in general. When they appeared in sight it was beyond thrilling and exciting. My heart was beating so fast… I was totally mesmerised by them. In the following days, as I got more comfortable being in their presence, I started to fully appreciate how massive they were. How calm. Curious. Elegant… Something shifted and my initial fear disappeared, replaced by genuine awe and fascination.
After five days of tiger dives, I was supposed to go home. But I didn’t :)
With the excuse of airports in Dubai being chaos due to flash floods, I extended my trip by another week. I knew I wasn’t done with Fuvahmulah, anyway…
Once I got back home, I started researching where to do my Divemaster course. One of the local dive pros I’d connected with reached out and suggested for me to come back and do the training with him. My first reaction was - “there? really?!” - but then I thought… why not? - Didn’t take a lot of convincing - “Ok, I’m in!”
Training as a Divemaster
Most Divemaster candidates do their training in calm, beginner-friendly locations. Fuvahmulah, definitely doesn’t fit this description but yet again, I’ve never been one to follow the norm. My motive was never to become an active Divemaster, necessarily. I was doing it to acquire skills I thought would make me I better diver. So I was happy to follow my own way…
I was lucky to be trained by an exceptional instructor and team — and even luckier to assist on tiger shark dives. That meant learning how to conduct the dive briefing, manage guests behavior underwater and act as a Safety Diver in one of the most adrenaline-fueled environments in the world.
As much as it was pretty nerve-wracking at first, giving the dive briefing quickly became my favourite part of the training. I loved passing on the knowledge about the dive profile, safety protocols and generally offering little nuggets about the sharks behaviour - what to expect, how they act and why they’re so fascinating.
What Makes Fuvahmulah Special?
This island isn’t just another dive destination. Fuvahmulah is the only single-island atoll in the Maldives. It sits isolated in the deep ocean, with no lagoon — which means large pelagics pass by year-round. But it’s the tiger sharks that make it legendary.
Marine biologists believe the island may be a breeding ground. Many of the females spotted are visibly pregnant and they return again and again. Years ago, they were first attracted by discarded fish waste near the harbour. Today, dive operations use this naturally created aggregation to conduct respectful and regulated shark encounters outside the harbour in open water.
So, is it safe?
Safer than most people imagine. But it’s not without risk — and that’s part of the draw, I guess. You feel your pulse. You respect the animal and the system that’s been developed by the locals here to make it work.
One thing is for sure, you have more chances to get injured by a car crash in most cities than you are to have any incident happening to you in Fuvahmulah.
Tiger sharks are incredibly inquisitive creatures, but contrary to what Hollywood movies have tried to ingrain in our brains - and succeeded - humans are not part of their menu. They simply don’t see us as their natural prey. Aren’t we lucky? :)
As with any other large shark diving trips - make sure to dive with well trained and experienced operators who give you a thorough briefing and demonstrate they have the expertise needed.
Tiger Zone - as we called it - isn’t just a dive site. It could be (like it was for me) an initiation for a passion for larger sharks which sadly have been so unfairly demonised over the years.
After 6 weeks of training I left with new skills, a deep respect for large sharks and an experience that made me a better diver.
I now organise regular trips to Fuvahmulah for advanced divers who want to experience this for themselves — not just to see tiger sharks, but to get to know this species better and hopefully go from fear to fascination.
Just don’t be surprised if you end up staying longer than planned!
⸻
PS. My Tiger Zone Dive Briefing Notes
Dive Profile:
Harbour entrance hazard!
Boat moves to top of reef
We get dropped, swim away and down to 5/6m
We move as a pack. Don't stop unless you guide tells you to. No cameras/distractions at this point.
Lots of movements and noise.
Hold on to rock as instructed
Guides signal the boat to drop tuna and hide fish heads
We stay in position during the entire period.
Guide signals end of dive. Follow your guide back to safety stop area.
We swim away from the reef and get picked up as a group.
Tiger Shark Safety:
Over 255 tiger sharks have been identified here — most are large females, many pregnant.
Sharks average 3.5–4.5 meters in length.
They’re apex predators, but each has a distinct temperament. Some are shy, others more dominant.
They’re curious — especially when food is present — but not aggressive.
If one approaches mid-swim, point at it, maintain eye contact, and stay calm.
No sudden movements. Never turn and swim away.
If it gets too close, gently blow a stream of bubbles.
Stay alert — boats pose a greater risk than sharks.
In case of emergency, swim away from the harbour entrance, deploy your SMB and complete your safety stop.
