Fuvahmulah Dive School is the first professional dive center on the island of Fuvahmulah and a PADI 5* center with high safety and service standards. Fuvahmulah is a unique volcanic island and the only atoll located directly on the equator. The dive center is centrally located in the harbor of Fuvahmulah (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 divers to the best spots and marine life around Fuvahmulah.
Offers for divers
The daily program usually includes three boat dives. After each dive, the boat returns to the harbor to allow divers to take a break. For safety reasons, the dive center completely refrains from offering 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 toilet, freshwater showers, and a compressor system on board. Modern equipment is provided, including a high-performance air compressor with a Nitrox system, plenty of aluminum dive tanks, and complete gear in all sizes.
Each dive is accompanied by a detailed briefing that explains local currents, marine life, and especially shark behavior. The guides are certified PADI instructors – many have also completed the shark specialty course. The training program includes PADI courses for all levels as well as specialty courses such as drift diving, deep diving, navigation, or fish/coral identification. Particularly noteworthy are the shark and manta ray specialty courses. In addition, educational programs and lectures on biodiversity and environmental protection are offered.
Accommodation, community and commitment
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 dive center is itself part of the local community: around two-thirds of the team come from the island and know Fuvahmulah and its people well. This close connection to their home is also reflected in the fact that the dive instructors are often multilingual and familiar with local events and traditions.
Beyond diving, the team also supports research and environmental education. With official approval from the Maldivian government, scientific research on tiger sharks is conducted, for example. A marine biologist regularly joins the dive trips, and guests are invited to attend lectures and participate in data collection. The dive center places strong emphasis on environmental commitment: awareness programs are offered, and the marine ecosystem is explained in an accessible way. Fuvahmulah itself is also considered a diverse travel destination: the island offers venues for weddings, festivals, and conferences, and many diving packages include leisure activities such as deep-sea fishing, island excursions, or evening barbecue parties.
Shark diving with Fuvahmulah Dive
The focus of Fuvahmulah Dive School is on shark dives 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 waters and with high comfort. The sharks are not aggressive and can be observed calmly in their natural environment. Additional safety measures apply to these dives: every Tiger Zoo dive begins with a detailed briefing, and divers use special safety lines and equipment.
Besides tiger sharks, divers in Fuvahmulah can encounter numerous other large fish species. Regular sightings include sandbar sharks, mako sharks, and also whale sharks. Large reef mantas and mobulas use the Fuvahmulah reef as a cleaning station. Schools of hammerhead sharks and occasional whale sharks are seen throughout the year. Occasional highlights include sunfish as well as whales and dolphins that roam the waters around Fuvahmulah during their migrations.
Diver safety is ensured: the dive center has a highly qualified team of experienced PADI instructors. All dive instructors are certified in PADI shark and mobula specialty courses. Since Fuvahmulah lies in the middle of the open ocean, currents are often strong and unpredictable. Therefore, the center relies on modern safety equipment such as the Nautilus Lifeline emergency device with GPS and VHF for divers. For safety reasons, no night dives are offered. Some dive sites require a higher qualification level and additional safety measures, allowing Fuvahmulah Dive School to offer great yet secure shark diving adventures especially for experienced divers.
