Maldives reef sharks: what tourists should know

Will you see sharks in the Maldives?

Most visitors who snorkel see at least one small reef shark, usually a blacktip in shallow water near the beach. Sightings are common, but no wild encounter is guaranteed on any given day.

The Maldives declared its whole exclusive economic zone a shark sanctuary in 2010, banning shark fishing. That protection is one reason sharks are a regular part of the reef scene. For the wider picture of reefs and wildlife, start at the marine life and snorkelling hub.

Which reef sharks are tourists likely to meet?

Three species come up again and again in Maldives fisheries and research records. Here is what each means for a snorkeller.

Snorkellers mostly meet blacktips. Grey reef sharks are more of a diver's sighting, and our page on choosing a Maldives shark dive covers those trips.

How to behave around reef sharks

The rules are simple and match good behaviour with any wildlife. Most problems around sharks, anywhere, begin with food, crowding or people chasing.

• Keep a respectful distance. Let the shark choose how close it comes.
• Do not chase or corner it. Swim slowly and stay calm, with smooth fin kicks.
• Never feed sharks or carry food in the water. Feeding changes behaviour near swimmers.
• Do not touch. This protects you and the animal.
• Avoid splashing on the surface. Quiet snorkellers see more and stay relaxed.
• Follow the guide's briefing on any boat trip, including where to enter and exit.

In protected areas such as the South Ari Marine Protected Area, guided trips follow area rules. Only certified guides may take tourists to whale sharks there, a sign that the authorities expect wildlife trips to be run with care.

What about shark feeding and "shark show" trips?

Some places offer evening sessions where sharks and rays gather because staff throw fish scraps. These are popular photo moments, and they deserve a second look before you book.

The Maldives government has suggested that regular shark feeding and fish waste at sea may affect where sharks gather and how they behave. A watching-only session from a jetty is very different from snorkelling in the water during feeding.

Ask the operator whether food goes into the water and whether guests swim during the feeding.

Also ask who briefs the group and how close people get. If the answers are vague, choose a natural reef snorkel instead.

A decision rule for nervous swimmers and families

Use comfort, not bravery, as the measure. A sighting from the jetty is still a sighting.

1. Very nervous or non-swimmer: watch from the jetty, a glass-floor area or a boat.
2. Comfortable floater: snorkel the lagoon with a buddy and a flotation vest.
3. Confident snorkeller: join a guided reef or channel-edge snorkel.
4. Certified diver: consider a guided shark dive suited to your certification.

Children can follow the same ladder. Our page on whether snorkelling excursions are safe for children explains the boat-trip side.

What to do if a shark comes close

Stay calm, keep your arms and legs still, and face the shark rather than turning away quickly. Reef sharks are curious and usually swim past after a look.

Move slowly back towards the beach, jetty or boat with your buddy. Tell the guide or resort staff afterwards, especially if the shark seemed unusually bold, because staff often know when feeding has changed behaviour in an area.

Who this suits, and when to choose differently

Reef sharks suit almost every snorkeller who wants a memorable, low-key encounter. Honeymooners often see them on the house reef, and families often meet young blacktips in ankle-deep lagoons.

If your partner or child is anxious about sharks, choose a resort with a calm lagoon and use the jetty as a first step. If you want calmer marine life without the nerves, turtle snorkelling or an evening dolphin cruise may suit better.