Nurse Shark Snorkeling in the Maldives

You’ll be in shallow water (usually 2–6 meters) on a sandy bottom where nurse sharks gather naturally to feed on small fish and scraps. The sharks are calm, slow-moving, and used to people; most are 1.5–3 m long. You float or stand while they cruise past or rest on the bottom. The better trips also stop at a healthy reef for tropical fish and a sandbank for a break. It’s not adrenaline-pounding like diving with reef sharks, but it’s genuinely impressive to be in the water with such large, relaxed animals. Visibility is usually good (15–25 m) on calm days.

Best time is December to April when seas are calmer and visibility is highest. May–November can still work but expect more current, rain, and lower viz. Expect to pay around $90–$130 for a half-day trip and $190–$260 for a full-day version that includes two snorkel sites plus reef and sandbank time. Prices vary with group size and boat type.

Pick a smaller-group trip (8–12 people max) that visits Vaavu Atoll or similar outer atolls; the sharks are more relaxed and the reefs healthier. Skip the cheapest mass trips that pack 25+ people onto one spot and feed the sharks – the animals get pushy and the experience turns into a crowded circus. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you’re fussy about fit; most boats provide decent fins and shorties.