FAQs · Destination Guide
A local-island base for tiger sharks, deep walls, and biosphere reserve nature
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 25 sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers sourced from research and local operating patterns.
Tiger sharks are a year-round draw in Fuvahmulah, so the "best" time is usually about sea state and comfort. Many divers prefer December to April because the northeast monsoon often brings calmer seas and easier boat logistics. You can still dive in May to October, but expect more wind, swell, and occasional rain squalls that can change site choices. Water stays warm around 27°C to 30°C, so focus your planning on conditions, not temperature.
The most practical route is to fly into Velana International Airport (MLE) in Male, then take a domestic flight to Fuvahmulah Airport (FVM). Aim to book the domestic sector early, then plan your guesthouse and dive package around the flight times. If you are already in the far south, you can also connect via Addu City: fly to Gan (GAN) and use the public ferry from Feydhoo to Fuvahmulah when schedules align. Add a buffer day for weather or operational changes, especially in May to October.
Fuvahmulah is open-ocean wall diving, so Advanced Open Water (or equivalent experience) is a strong baseline for most signature sites. Some tiger shark dives can be shallow, but they are high-intensity and require excellent buoyancy and calm behavior. Other sites, like wall dives that slope toward 35 m to 40 m, demand depth discipline and strong gas planning. If you are newly certified, talk to a local operator about a skills check dive and site selection before committing to a full schedule.
Two of the most talked-about areas are the harbor-adjacent tiger sites and nearby walls. Merikafalhu (Tiger Point) is known for structured dives where groups position on the seabed around 10 m to 11 m while tiger sharks approach. Tiger Wall is often paired in the same shark-focused itinerary as a wall-style dive with pelagic water nearby. Exact sites and protocols can change, so book with a reputable local operator and follow the code of conduct closely.
It can be good, but it is different from the Maldives' classic lagoon islands. Fuvahmulah is open ocean, so snorkeling is more conditions-dependent and often best with a guide or boat support. In calm months, short reef-edge snorkels near beach zones like Thundi can be enjoyable, but you should avoid long swims around points where currents accelerate. If the sea is active or visibility drops below 10 m, switch plans and spend the day at the kilhi nature parks and Thundi sandbank instead.
The Maldives Traveller Declaration is submitted online through the IMUGA system. You must complete it within 96 hours of your flight time when arriving to the Maldives, and again within 96 hours of your departure flight. Have your passport details, flight information, and accommodation details ready. After submission, keep the confirmation available on your phone for airport processing. If you have a tight domestic connection to Fuvahmulah, complete the declaration early in the 96-hour window to avoid last-minute issues.
The Maldives Green Tax is collected per day of stay by your accommodation and shown on your bill. From 1 January 2025 onward, the rate is commonly USD $6 per person per day for guesthouses and small hotels on inhabited islands, and USD $12 per person per day for resorts and larger tourist establishments (rates vary by accommodation category). You do not usually pay it as a separate online permit. Instead, your guesthouse or hotel collects it and remits it to MIRA. Children under two are exempt.
Confirm chamber logistics before you travel, because availability and referral pathways matter. Fuvahmulah has local medical services for initial assessment, but serious dive injuries may require evacuation. One known hyperbaric oxygen treatment unit is at ADK Hospital in Male. Because evacuation can be complex and weather-dependent, carry dive accident insurance that covers hyperbaric treatment and inter-island transport. Dive conservatively, especially on repetitive wall profiles, and keep an easy final day before flying.
Pack for open-ocean procedures and full-coverage exposure, not just warm water. A 3mm to 5mm full wetsuit is useful, and many operators prefer full coverage on tiger shark dives. Bring an SMB and spool, a dive computer, and a save-a-dive kit (o-rings, fin strap, mask strap). If you are comfortable using a reef hook and your operator uses them responsibly, pack one. For topside days, add mosquito repellent for the kilhi wetlands, a dry bag, and modest clothing for town.
Fuvahmulah is an inhabited community, so act like a guest in someone's home. Dress modestly in town and around mosques, and keep swimwear to appropriate beach zones. Be respectful with photography, especially of people and religious spaces, and ask before filming. Friday is an important day for prayer and family time, so some services may operate on reduced hours. Alcohol is prohibited to import into the Maldives, and local island life is generally quieter and more conservative than resort islands.