Joanna James
The Maldives is known for its abounding marine life including a great many sharks which you can swim amongst as well! From local shark species to how you can go about enjoying encounters with them, here is the lowdown on getting up close to these stealthy denizens of the deep.
Many people are bound to think of sharks behaving the way they are depicted in movies such as "The Shallows", "47 Metres Down" and "Jaws"; in short, fearsome predators who will attack you! But that is not the case and you get many species including those in the Maldives that are harmless. Unlike in some destinations where encounters are only done through a steel cage, here, you can freely dive amidst sharks and in some locations, even snorkel above them.
As mentioned, there are various types of sharks in these waters and the number exceeds 20 species. Just like how you can gain insights into the local way of life on Maldives island tours, on underwater excursions, you can witness the way these shark species swim and behave in their natural habitat. One of the most popular varieties to spot would be the huge and harmless whale shark which reigns as the largest fish in the sea. Depending on where you head to, you may also see grey reef, whitetip, blacktip, hammerhead, nurse, zebra and leopard sharks to name a few!
When it comes to swimming with sharks in Maldives, you have several options to choose from in terms of excursions that give you a chance to encounter these creatures be it day or night. Resorts offer snorkelling and scuba diving as part of private or group excursions where you can see sharks at a nearby house reef or dive sites in and around an atoll. Some properties such as Adaaran Club Rannalhi offer additional experiences too such as a morning trip out to sea on a dhoni to witness sharks swimming around on all sides of the boat.
As with encounters with any animal in the wild, there are certain things you should know before heading out. While the sharks you observe are harmless, you should never provoke them. This means that no matter how much you may want to, do not touch them and maintain a proper distance without getting too close. Remember it is also important not to startle them; with this in mind, don't make any sudden or erratic movements and refrain from using a flash when engaged in underwater photography.
The great thing about shark encounters here is that it can be experienced all year round. That said, the best time for swimming with sharks is generally in the dry season from November to May with January to March offering optimal visibility and calm waters. However, in the off-peak season that follows, at destinations such as the South Male Atoll, you can still look forward to seeing sharks including hammerhead sharks.
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