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Shark Sensei
A diver holds still on the sand as a tiger shark passes close in profile, with more sharks and reef fish in the blue behind.

Diver education

SSI Tiger Shark Eco Diver

Learn to dive with tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah — discover what they are, how they behave, and how to share the water with them.

Price
$450
Duration
Online theory + 2 tiger shark dives
Level
Entry-level specialty · Open Water Diver + 20 logged dives
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We confirm dates and payment with you directly, then open the course.

About this course

Fuvahmulah is one of very few places on earth where tiger sharks can be seen reliably, at close range, all year round. That is a rare privilege — and it comes with responsibility. This specialty gives you the knowledge to make sense of what you see: how tiger sharks live, how they sense the world around them, and what their movements can tell you. You’ll also learn photo identification — the method used to recognise and track individual sharks here over the years. The photographs you take on your dives can become part of that record, contributing to our knowledge of the tiger sharks that call Fuvahmulah home. This is not a shark-handling course, and it does not teach you to feed or touch anything. Instead, you’ll learn how to be calm, predictable, and low-impact in the water — giving you the skills to observe these remarkable animals while contributing to their protection.

Syllabus

What the course covers

  1. 01Introduction3 lessons
  2. 02Course Structure & Requirements7 lessons
  3. 03Sharks: Evolution, Biology & Tiger Shark Overview7 lessons

… and 4 more chapters · 50 lessons in all

Who teaches it

Your instructors

  • Franci

    Francesca Gagliardi

    Marine biologist with a Master’s degree in Marine Science and Climate Change, diving and free diving instructor, and co-founder of Shark Sensei. Combining scientific knowledge and years in the water to promote a more respectful relationship with the ocean.

  • Ibbeyz

    Ibrahim Mohamed

    Professional Shark Diver and PADI & SSI Scuba Instructor based in the Maldives, specialising in tiger shark diving in Fuvahmulah and creator of the SSI Tiger Shark Safety Diver course.

The school

Why train with us

Written here. Shaped by the people who know these sharks best. The course was developed by experienced tiger shark instructors together with marine biologists, bringing together years of experience in the water with scientific knowledge of shark biology, behaviour, and conservation. Every dive is instructor-led, groups are kept small, and the protocols reflect the conditions and practices of this unique dive site.

Answers

Common questions

No. Previous shark-diving experience is not required. The course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to participate in controlled tiger shark dives.

No. The course does not involve feeding, touching, or handling tiger sharks. It focuses on observation, awareness, and low-impact behaviour in the water.

No advanced certification is required. You should be a comfortable and confident Open Water Diver with at least 20 logged dives, good buoyancy control, and the ability to remain calm and still underwater.

The theory is completed online at your own pace and should be finished before you enter the water. Once the theory and final assessment are completed, the practical training can be completed over two days of diving.

Yes. The practical dives take place at selected tiger shark dive sites around Fuvahmulah, like Tiger Harbour, where tiger sharks are regularly encountered. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, these sites offer a very high chance of seeing tiger sharks in their natural environment.

Absolutely. Complete the theory online before you arrive, then spend your time here where it matters — in the water. The practical training can be completed over two days of diving, making the course easy to fit into a short stay.

The Tiger Shark Eco Diver is the entry-level specialty, focused on tiger shark biology, behaviour, ecology, photo-ID, and conservation. The Tiger Shark Safety Diver is a professional-level course that builds on this foundation, focusing on advanced safety, positioning, interaction protocols, and group management, with the skills required to lead tiger shark dives.

Enrolment

Ready to start?

Tell us when you are in Fuvahmulah and we will confirm dates, price and payment with you. Your course opens as soon as that is arranged.

Get this course