418 Dive Log Australasia JUNE 2026.pdf

Widely referred to as “Shark Island”, Fuvahmulah is fundamentally different from typical Maldivian atolls. It is a single, large oceanic island with no lagoon, bordered only by a narrow fringing reef that drops off rapidly into deep water. Measuring 4.5 km in length and about 1.2 km across, it is also part of a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, recognising the ecological significance of its surrounding marine environment and the biodiversity it supports. I quickly understood why shore diving around the island is generally not advisable. The reef drops away into deep water almost immediately, and strong, fast-moving oceanic currents can form along the edge without warning. Those currents can quickly carry you away from your entry point, leaving very limited options for a safe exit. For a shore-based freediver, holding position or managing your drift becomes extremely difficult, making shore diving unpredictable and potentially deadly. This geography, with no surrounding lagoon or protective reef system in the usual sense, allows deep ocean water to come very close to shore. This creates conditions that attract large pelagic species, including Tiger Sharks, year-round. Other commonly encountered species around the Tiger Sharks feel vulnerable when exposing their belly, especially when pregnant. You have to stay very still and focused when one swims very close or directly above. This is a 4.2 m long Tiger Shark known as “Havanah”

recommend Fuvahmulah Central Dive Center and Tiger Shark Profi. Special thanks to Irina, Petr, Hassan Samir, Shuk, and Nick. Both operators cater for freediving as well as scuba, providing a professional and well-managed experience. They can also assist with organising a scooter, by far the easiest way to get around. There is very little traffic and it is a safe and efficient option. Australian licence holders do not require an international driver’s licence, and US dollars are widely accepted, helping to avoid unnecessary currency exchange losses. Fuvahmulah has a stable equatorial maritime climate with very little variation throughout the year. The air is consistently warm, typically around 26 °C at night and 30–32 °C during the day. Sea surface temperatures are equally stable, generally between 28 °C and 30 °C. The island experiences two monsoonal phases: the southwest monsoon, roughly May to October, which brings increased rainfall and rougher seas, and the northeast monsoon, from November to April, which is typically drier, sunnier, and calmer. Even so, short-lived tropical storms and periods of variability can occur, particularly during seasonal transitions, often bringing brief but intense rainfall without significantly impacting overall dive conditions.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #418 JUNE ‘26

www.divelog.net.au