8 Facts That Made Fuvahmulah the Tiger Shark Capital of the World

By: Joyce Osorio, Director of Sales & Business Development

When divers dream of thrilling shark encounters, one destination consistently rises above the rest: Fuvahmulah, Maldives. Known worldwide as the Tiger Shark Capital, this remote island has become a bucket-list hotspot for adventurers, researchers, and ocean lovers alike.

Here are 8 fascinating facts that explain how Fuvahmulah Maldives earned this unique global reputation.

1. Local Fishermen Knew First

Long before scientists arrived, the people of Fuvahmulah already understood the rhythms of the sea. Local fishermen noticed that tiger sharks would consistently appear near the harbor whenever tuna scraps were discarded back into the water.

For generations, this became part of the island’s living knowledge a sign of the sharks strong presence around Fuvahmulah. What might have seemed like an ordinary fishing routine was, in fact, the earliest record of one of the world’s most reliable tiger shark populations.

This traditional awareness laid the foundation for the island’s reputation today, a place where culture, community, and conservation all intersect through the presence of these apex predators.

2. A Harbor with Shadows

The consistent presence of tiger sharks around Fuvahmulah’s harbor created a unique relationship between locals and sharks. For generations, these encounters shaped the island’s identity blending daily life with the rhythms of the ocean.

The consistent presence of tiger sharks around Fuvahmulah’s harbor created a unique bond between locals and these majestic predators. For generations, fishermen and islanders lived side by side with the sharks, witnessing their regular appearances just steps away from daily life.

These encounters shaped more than just routines they became part of the island’s identity. To the people of Fuvahmulah, the sharks were not outsiders, but neighbors of the sea, blending human activity with the natural rhythms of the ocean.

What was once a local reality, largely unnoticed by the outside world, would later become a defining feature that drew global attention to Fuvahmulah as the heart of tiger shark diving.

3. Scientific Studies Begin

Around 2016-2017, researchers launched dedicated monitoring projects to better understand this phenomenon. Using non-invasive photo-ID, they began tracking individual sharks, uncovering valuable insights into their behavior, migration, and population.

Around 2016–2017, researchers launched dedicated monitoring projects to better understand the remarkable presence of tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah. Using non-invasive photo identification (photo-ID) techniques, they began documenting and tracking individual sharks based on their unique stripe patterns and markings.

This approach allowed scientists to uncover invaluable insights into tiger shark behavior, migration, and population dynamics all without harming or disturbing the animals. What they found was extraordinary, Fuvahmulah was not just a passing ground but a permanent home for these apex predators.

The research confirmed what local fishermen had known for generations, but it also elevated Fuvahmulah onto the global stage as a critical site for tiger shark science, conservation, and eco-tourism.

4. Over 239 Identified Sharks

Over the course of just seven years, scientists documented more than 239 individual tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah, establishing the island as one of the world’s largest year-round shark habitats. Today, in 2025, ongoing research confirms that this number has surpassed 290 identified individuals further solidifying Fuvahmulah’s reputation as the Tiger Shark Capital of the World.

Over the course of just seven years, scientists documented more than 239 individual tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah, establishing the island as one of the world’s largest year-round shark habitats. Each shark is recognized through unique markings and stripe patterns, creating a growing database that allows researchers to track their movements, behaviors, and site fidelity.

Today, in 2025, ongoing research confirms that the number has surpassed 290 identified individuals. This not only highlights the richness of Fuvahmulah’s marine ecosystem but also underscores the island’s global importance as a stronghold for tiger shark conservation.

For divers, this means something truly exceptional: encounters with tiger sharks here are not a matter of luck but a guarantee. Few places in the world can offer such consistency, making Fuvahmulah a dream destination for underwater explorers, filmmakers, and scientists alike.

The growing population also reflects the balance between local tradition, responsible tourism, and marine protection, ensuring that Fuvahmulah remains a sanctuary for both sharks and the people who share the island with them.

5. Year-Round Encounters

Unlike many shark hotspots where sightings depend on the season, tiger sharks are present in Fuvahmulah every single month of the year. This makes encounters almost guaranteed for divers  an unmatched phenomenon globally.

Unlike many shark hotspots where sightings depend on migration or seasonal conditions, tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah can be seen every single month of the year. This unique consistency makes encounters with these apex predators almost guaranteed, a phenomenon unmatched anywhere else in the world.

For divers, this means there is no “off-season” every dive offers the chance to meet tiger sharks up close. Whether you visit in January, July, or December, the experience remains the same: face-to-face encounters with one of the ocean’s most iconic predators.

This reliability is what sets Fuvahmulah apart. It’s the reason why divers, underwater photographers, and documentary filmmakers travel from around the globe confident that they won’t leave disappointed. For scientists, the year-round presence is equally invaluable, allowing continuous study and long-term monitoring that isn’t possible in seasonal shark destinations.

Fuvahmulah has redefined what it means to be a shark diving hotspot: not just a place to hope for a glimpse, but a place to be certain of an encounter.

6. Site Fidelity

Research revealed a striking behavior: tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah display site fidelity, meaning they regularly return to the island and treat it as a permanent home. This sets Fuvahmulah apart as a true sanctuary for these incredible animals.

Research has shown that tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah display site fidelity they regularly return and treat the island as their permanent home.

While tiger sharks elsewhere are known as wide-ranging wanderers, those in Fuvahmulah keep coming back, drawn by the island’s rich waters. For scientists, this offers a rare chance to study the same individuals over time. For divers, it means encounters are not only reliable but often personal, with many sharks easily recognizable.

This unique behavior sets Fuvahmulah apart as a true sanctuary for tiger sharks, and one of the only places in the world where humans and these apex predators coexist so closely.

7. From Secret to Spotlight

What was once a local secret has transformed into a global highlight. Today, divers, filmmakers, and marine scientists from across the globe travel to Fuvahmulah to witness tiger sharks in their natural environment.

For generations, Fuvahmulah’s tiger sharks were known only to locals. What was once a quiet island secret has now transformed into a global highlight.

Today, divers, filmmakers, and marine scientists from around the world travel here to experience close encounters with tiger sharks in their natural environment. International documentaries, research projects, and viral dive stories have all helped put Fuvahmulah on the map.

This growing recognition has not only boosted tourism but also emphasized the island’s role as a vital hub for marine science and shark conservation. Fuvahmulah has become more than just a destination it’s now a stage where people and nature meet, and where the world comes to witness the ocean’s top predator up close.

8. Global Tiger Shark Capital

Blending local tradition, scientific discovery, and eco-tourism, Fuvahmulah is now proudly recognized as the Tiger Shark Capital of the World. It stands as a shining example of how culture and conservation can work hand-in-hand.

Blending local tradition, scientific discovery, and eco-tourism, Fuvahmulah is now proudly recognized as the Tiger Shark Capital of the World.

This title is more than just a name it represents a unique balance where community, culture, and conservation come together. Local fishermen’s knowledge laid the foundation, researchers confirmed the science, and eco-conscious tourism helped share it with the world.

Today, Fuvahmulah is not only a dream destination for divers but also a vital hub for shark research and protection. It demonstrates how people and predators can coexist, turning what was once a remote island secret into a global model of sustainable adventure.

Fuvahmulah isn’t just another dive site  it is the home of tiger sharks, and a shining example of what’s possible when humans choose to respect and protect the ocean.

Ready to Dive with Tiger Sharks?

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