SSI Tiger Shark Safety Diver

No. You don’t need to be working with tiger sharks regularly. The course is also designed for dive professionals who are passionate about tiger shark diving and want to develop the specialised skills needed to lead these encounters.

The course is designed for certified SSI Divemasters and Instructors, or equivalent professionals, who want to develop the skills and judgement required to lead tiger shark dives.

Yes. The Tiger Shark Eco Diver certification is a prerequisite for the Safety Diver course and provides the foundation needed for the professional-level training.

Eco Diver is the foundation, focusing on tiger shark biology, behaviour, ecology, photo-ID, and conservation. Safety Diver is a professional-level course focused on applying that knowledge while leading and managing dives with tiger sharks.

The practical training includes a minimum of 5 confined water sessions and around 27 open water dives in a tiger shark environment — normally one tiger shark dive a day across the 27-day programme. Two in a day is occasionally possible but never promised in advance, because it depends on safe conditions and the day's logistics. Progression is based on your performance and readiness throughout the course.

The 2027 programme runs for exactly 27 days in Fuvahmulah. Every candidate in an intake arrives for the same training period and works through the course together. Plan for the full 27 days — this is not a course that can be compressed into a few.

Yes. The practical training gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in real tiger shark diving conditions under direct instructor supervision.

The course is designed around learning and progression. Your instructor will provide feedback throughout the training, helping you understand what needs to improve before you move on to the next stage.

No. Certification is based on meeting the required performance standards. You must demonstrate the necessary skills and judgement under instructor supervision before certification is awarded.

You apply. Tell us about your professional certification, your diving and your shark experience, and we assess your application against the requirements. There is no interview. Applications for 2027 close on 1 December 2026.

The four 2027 intakes run in March, May, August and November. Each is a fixed 27-day programme held within its named month. Keep that full month available; accepted candidates receive the exact arrival and departure dates during confirmation.

Between three and eight. Three is the minimum for an intake to run, and eight is the maximum. The small group is deliberate: it is what allows close observation, individual feedback and proper progression over the 27 days.

The academic training, practical instruction, your required training dives, the boat-related dive operations, safety guide support and professional instruction.

Accommodation, flights to Fuvahmulah, personal diving equipment and personal expenses. We can help you arrange the first two.

Yes. We can assist accepted candidates with accommodation and domestic travel to Fuvahmulah. Through our local partners and our own dive operation, candidates may have access to preferred accommodation and discounted domestic travel rates.

Once your application is accepted we send a deposit request. Your place is confirmed when we have received at least 50% of the course fee, and your student portal opens at that point so you can begin the academic preparation before you travel.

Cancellations made more than 30 days before your scheduled arrival are refunded in full against the deposit paid. Cancellations made within 30 days of arrival are refunded at 50% of the deposit, with the remaining 50% retained.

No — you can apply without it. It remains a prerequisite and must be booked, paid for and completed separately before you progress through the Safety Diver requirements.

No. Applications are assessed on your professional certification, your diving experience, your shark-diving background and your prerequisite status. We verify your certification before a place is confirmed.