Best Places To Scuba Dive With Sharks In The Maldives
With the azure sky, clear turquoise water, pearly white beaches and lush green palm trees, Maldives is a postcard-perfect paradise. However, the true wonders of the haven are only discovered once one submerges themselves in ultramarine waters. Being one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, Maldives is home to an incredible range of marine life. Speckled with fantastic topography, pinnacles, caverns, and overhangs where a variety of colourful fish swim through, it is home to an ensemble of marine life. From sea turtles and dolphins to rays and sharks, there is a myriad of sights to be seen. Diving along the vibrant channels of the lagoon and reef and witnessing the majestic sharks glide with the wave is one unforgettable adventure.
The Maldives is home to a shark sanctuary with around 30 different species of sharks — including the great Hammerheads, Black Tip, Grey and White Tip Reef Sharks, Leopard and Guitar Sharks, and the biggest fish that inhabits the ocean, the Whale Shark. At Nova Maldives, you can cross off ‘an adventure unlike any other’ from your bucket list and join us on a journey of discovering the best places to view and swim with these aquatic wonders.
A Diver’s Paradise — South Ari Atoll
Home to your soulful island Nova, South Ari Atoll is one the most celebrated atolls in the Maldives — with its breathtaking natural beauty and rich marine life. This world-renowned location is also a Marine Protected Area by the Maldivian government, due to its global prominence as a whale shark aggregation site with over 400 gentle giants spotted and registered in the area.
Nova, situated just a few minutes outside the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), offers more than 30 dive sites for all visitors. You will have the chance to swim with the stunning whale sharks with only 45 minutes boat ride from the island. While some marine animals can be sighted occasionally, this Indian Ocean landmark, with its perfect water temperature and plankton-rich waves, is home to Whale Sharks all year round. Despite their size, which can reach up to an astounding 12 meters in length, the graceful giants are harmless. They can be spotted easily from above the waters as the animals rise up to filter feed on plankton near the water’s surface. Your soulmates will accompany you through the excursion and brief you about how to swim with the beautiful creatures.
Maya Thila
As one of the most prominent Maldivian dive sites full of life, starting at 30 meters depth (100 feet), Maya Thila is often included in the list of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Take a dive trip to the bountiful reef made up of blended soft and hard rocks, and gaze at the natural wonders. With sharks often frequenting this spot, you can indulge to your heart’s fullest as you swim with the Gray Reef Sharks and White Tip Sharks — and if you are lucky, you will even meet the elusive Guitar Shark.
Reethi Thila
Also known as Five Rocks, Reethi Thila lies in the channel between Dhangethi and Dhigurah, with a 12-meter top reef that descends to 30 meters. This magnificent location is only a 25 minute boat ride away from Nova and is a favourite among photographers. You can capture the rare beauty underwater with its numerous overhangs and enchanting corals. A frequented home to White Tip Sharks, this dramatic underwater landscape is one of the definite places to spot the small long-bodied shark as they feed on octopuses and other fishes.
Kuda Rah Thila
With a medium-sized reef located right by the channel edge, Kuda Rah Thila is another famous dive site. The 12-meter top reef, sloping to 30m and beyond, presents an exciting dive unlike any other with its countless marine life. Witness thousands of Blue Strip Snappers and their hunter — Grey Reef Shark. And if you’re looking for an extraordinary tale, Nova welcomes you to a night dive where you can encounter the sharks as they get more active. In the evening, you will notice the iridescent grey colouration on their first dorsal fine as you dive through the inky darkness, creating an experience you’ll never forget.
At Nova, an itinerary will be specially crafted for you, where you can dive with sharks and witness the magnificent underwater sights. Whether you are a keen diver or a beginner, you will be immersed in an otherworldly wonder beneath the blue azures. With guidance on how to interact with them — reef sharks and whale sharks — your soulmates will be by your side as you observe one of nature’s most magical creatures at its full glory.
Book your good soul days, email us at [email protected] or talk to us via +960 66 88 777.
