Fuvahmulah Dive School is the first professional dive centre on the island of Fuvahmulah and a PADI 5* centre with high safety and service standards. Fuvahmulah is a unique, volcanic island located exactly on the equator—the only atoll in this position. The base is centrally located in Fuvahmulah Harbour (near the fish market), allowing divers to reach the dive boats quickly. The team consists mainly of local divers who have known the island and its conditions since childhood. This local background enables the crew to expertly guide the best spots and marine life around Fuvahmulah.
Offers for Divers
The daily programme typically includes three boat dives. After each dive, the boat returns to the harbour to allow divers a break. For safety reasons, the base completely avoids night dives. For advanced divers, a fourth dive is possible upon request. Two comfortable dive boats are available, with space for 20 and 15 people respectively, each equipped with a WC, freshwater showers, and an onboard compressor. Modern equipment is provided: including a powerful air compressor with a nitrox system, sufficient aluminium dive tanks, and complete equipment in all sizes.
Each dive is accompanied by a detailed briefing explaining local currents, marine life, and particularly shark behaviour. The guides are certified PADI dive instructors—many have also completed the shark speciality course. The training programme includes PADI courses at all levels, as well as speciality courses such as drift diving, deep diving, navigation, or fish/coral identification. Particularly noteworthy are the shark and manta ray speciality courses. Additionally, awareness programmes and lectures on biodiversity and environmental protection are offered.
Accommodation, Community and Engagement
Fuvahmulah Dive School offers a wide range of accommodations to suit different budgets. From nearby boutique hotels to guesthouses and villas, divers can find suitable lodging on Fuvahmulah. The base itself is part of the local community: about two-thirds of the team come from the island and know Fuvahmulah and its people well. This close connection to their homeland is also reflected in the fact that the dive instructors are often multilingual and familiar with local events and festival structures.
Beyond diving, the team also supports research and environmental education. With official permission from the Maldivian government, for example, scientific tiger shark research is conducted. A marine biologist regularly accompanies the dive trips, and guests are invited to attend lectures and collect data. In general, the base emphasises environmental commitment: awareness programmes are offered, and the marine ecosystem is explained in an understandable way. Furthermore, Fuvahmulah itself is a versatile travel destination: the island offers event opportunities for weddings, festivals, and conferences, and many diver packages include leisure activities such as deep-sea fishing, island excursions, or evening barbecues.
Shark Diving at Fuvahmulah Dive
The focus of Fuvahmulah Dive School is on shark diving in this extraordinary habitat. A dedicated dive site called “Tiger Zoo” allows year-round encounters with a large population of tiger sharks—in shallow reef water and with high comfort. The sharks do not behave aggressively and can be observed relaxed in their natural environment. Additional safety measures apply to these dives: each Tiger Zoo dive begins with a detailed briefing, and divers use special safety lines and equipment.
In addition to tiger sharks, divers in Fuvahmulah can encounter numerous other large fish species. Regular sightings include silvertip sharks, mako sharks, and even whale sharks. Large reef manta rays and mobulas also use the Fuvahmulah reef as a cleaning station. Schools of hammerhead sharks and occasional whale sharks are sighted throughout the year. Occasional highlights include ocean sunfish, as well as whales and dolphins that pass through the waters around Fuvahmulah during their migrations.
Diver safety is ensured: The dive base has a highly qualified team of experienced PADI instructors. All dive instructors are certified in PADI shark and mobula speciality courses. Since Fuvahmulah is located in the middle of the open ocean, currents are often strong and unpredictable. Therefore, the base uses modern safety equipment such as the Nautilus Lifeline emergency device with GPS and VHF for divers. For safety reasons, night dives are consistently avoided. Some dive sites require a higher qualification level and additional safety measures, so Fuvahmulah Dive School offers experienced divers fantastic yet secure shark diving adventures.
