Fuvahmulah and tiger shark diving
Fuvahmulah is a stand-alone island destination, separate from the Addu Atoll, with resident tiger sharks and commercial dive offers that run all year. Do not mix it up with a dive site in Addu: it has its own island, its own dive centers and its own rules. The diving guide for Addu covers the wreck and the manta spots in the atoll itself.
The trip from Addu needs planning. A ferry leaves from Feydhoo and takes about 90 minutes, and a flight option exists as well. Plan it as an overnight stay rather than a day trip, because ferry and flight times shift. The cards below show current tours and day trips in the region.
Our picks: Fuvahmulah dive package
Fuvahmulah is known for tiger shark diving, and this is a full week on the island rather than an excursion from Addu. It suits certified divers who want many dives in one stay.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and trips from Addu
Boat trips, cruises and day tours in the southern Maldives with live prices and availability.
How to get from Addu to Fuvahmulah
Ferry, flight or the route via Malé.
| Route | Duration | Times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Feydhoo | About 90 minutes | Toward Fuvahmulah 10:00 and 16:00, back toward Addu 07:00 and 11:00 or 14:00 | – |
| Flight Gan to Fuvahmulah | 20 minutes | Weekly timetable, confirm the date | – |
| Flight Malé to Fuvahmulah | About 1 hour | Daily | Diver fare from 6 May 2026: $187.50 adult, $160 child, infants free |
For most visitors from Addu, the ferry is the plan to build around, with at least one night on the island. Treat a short flight as a bonus only after the operator confirms the date. The fare in the table is for the Malé route and not for a flight from Gan.
Why a day trip from Addu is hard to plan
No standard product combines the transfer, a tiger shark dive and a safe connection back on the same day. Departure times toward Fuvahmulah are 10:00 and 16:00, and the way back at 07:00 and 11:00 or 14:00, so a dive in between leaves little room for delays. Check the current timetable before you go, and ask whether the ferry runs on Fridays.
Local transport and tour options for the rest of your stay are on the excursions page.
Rules and safety on tiger shark dives
What to ask your dive center.
Codes of conduct
Four codes of conduct for different kinds of shark encounters were developed in a government-backed project that ran from 2023 to 2025. Ask your dive center which code it follows.
Bait and Tiger Harbour
Tiger Harbour is an encounter site shaped by bait and feeding stimuli. It is not an undisturbed natural encounter. Good practice asks for at least 5 m between bait and divers and no bait handling by guests or guides. It is a guideline, so ask how your dive center applies it.
Fees
Ask whether permit or entry fees for the dive site are included in the dive price.
Evacuation
The way to a recompression chamber can be long in the Maldives. Ask for the dive center's evacuation plan before you book.
Qualification
No general clearance exists for beginners. Ask about the required certification level and the briefing before the dive.
Planning an overnight trip to Fuvahmulah
The order in which to arrange things.
Confirm the transfer first
Ferry and flight times shift, and a published timetable does not show free seats on your day. Confirm how you travel before you pay for a dive package, and keep a spare day in your schedule for the way back.
Choose your dates by weather
Dive offers run all year, so the season matters less than the sea and the rain. The weather and best time page shows the monthly pattern for the south, and a rough sea can change a ferry crossing.
Local island rules apply
Fuvahmulah is an inhabited island. Alcohol is an offense outside resorts, so do not bring any from a resort. Cover your shoulders away from the water and avoid short or tight shorts. The local islands page explains the rules.
Rental equipment
A complete equipment set at a dive center in Addu costs $45 per day on top of the dive price, so ask what the centers on Fuvahmulah charge for rental.
Fuvahmulah: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Fuvahmulah as a day trip from Addu?
It is hard to plan. Ferry times are fixed and a dive in between leaves little buffer. Plan at least one night and check the current timetable before you go.
How do I get from Addu to Fuvahmulah?
A ferry leaves from Feydhoo and takes about 90 minutes. A short flight between Gan and Fuvahmulah of about 20 minutes runs on a weekly timetable, so confirm the date before you rely on it.
How much does the flight cost?
A diver fare for Malé to Fuvahmulah is $187.50 for adults and $160 for children, and infants fly free (valid from 6 May 2026). That is not a fare from Gan.
Is tiger shark diving safe?
Tiger sharks are large wild animals. Ask the dive center about the briefing, the certification level, the bait rules and the evacuation plan. No beginner clearance exists for every dive.
Is it a natural encounter?
At Tiger Harbour, bait and feeding stimuli shape the encounter, so it is not an undisturbed one. Choose a dive center that follows a code of conduct.
Is this the official website of Fuvahmulah?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Addu City Council, Fuvahmulah City Council, Visit Maldives, a dive center or a tour operator.