Dive Site: Shark Point (Addu)

About Shark Point (Addu)

Shark Point, located in the Addu Atoll of the Maldives, is a prime dive site celebrated for its abundant shark population and exhilarating drift diving opportunities. This site is part of the country's southernmost atoll, a region known for its powerful and often unpredictable currents that sweep through deep channels. These strong water movements create a nutrient-rich environment, attracting a diverse array of pelagic species, particularly various shark species that give the site its name. The topography typically involves channel diving, where divers descend along vibrant reef walls and ledges that plunge to depths often exceeding 25-30 meters. The consistent currents make it an active and dynamic dive, showcasing a healthy ecosystem of hard and soft corals, frequented by schooling fish and larger marine predators. The site's character is defined by these strong currents, which, while challenging, are also responsible for the spectacular marine life encounters. Divers visiting Shark Point can expect frequent sightings of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and occasionally other pelagic sharks. The currents also bring in schools of barracuda, trevally, and eagle rays, creating a vibrant underwater spectacle. Due to its location in the southern atolls, visibility generally remains excellent, though it can vary with plankton blooms that also attract filter feeders like manta rays and whale sharks, especially during certain seasons. While offering incredible experiences, the demanding conditions at Shark Point require divers to possess advanced skills and experience with strong currents. It's a site for those seeking adrenaline-pumping encounters with large marine life rather than leisurely exploration, often included in 'Far South' liveaboard itineraries that cater to experienced divers.

Dive site facts: Shark Point (Addu)

Depth

25–30 m (average)

Typical dive

25–30 m, 45–55 min

Current

Strong, often unpredictable

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Negative entry / Tender

Level

Advanced (50+ logged dives, current experience)

Dive type

Drift, channel, pelagic encounters

Region / port

Addu Atoll

Coordinates

-0.656, 73.125

Conditions & Currents

Shark Point is characterized by strong and often unpredictable currents, typical of channel dives in the southern atolls. These currents can be intense, sweeping through the deep channels and creating significant drift. Divers should be prepared for negative entries and be proficient in controlling their buoyancy in turbulent conditions. Upwells can also occur, adding to the challenge. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 meters, though it can decrease during plankton blooms, which coincidentally increase the chances of encountering filter feeders. Due to the dynamic nature of these currents, divers must be self-reliant, capable of maintaining their dive profile, and skilled in deploying an SMB underwater for safety and pick-up.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey Reef Shark

Year-round · common

Whitetip Reef Shark

Year-round · common

Eagle Ray

Year-round · occasional

Schooling Barracuda

Year-round · common

Giant Trevally

Year-round · occasional

Manta Ray

Wet season (June–November) in plankton-rich areas · occasional

Whale Shark

Wet season (June–November) in plankton-rich areas · rare

Tuna

Year-round · occasional

Snapper

Year-round · common

Moray Eel

Year-round · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Shark Point typically involves a negative entry to quickly descend into the channel and mitigate the strong surface currents. The dive often starts on the outer reef wall, allowing divers to drift along with the current while observing the dynamic marine life. You'll typically maintain an average depth of 25-30 meters, where the primary shark action occurs. The dive usually progresses through the channel, with divers staying close to the reef for shelter from the strongest currents and to observe schooling fish and larger pelagics. The turn point is often dictated by air consumption and current strength, with an ascent made while deploying an SMB. The safety stop is conducted in the blue, usually while drifting, awaiting pick-up by the dive tender.

Underwater photography

Shark Point is ideal for wide-angle photography due to the clear visibility and abundance of large pelagic life, especially sharks and schooling fish. A wide-angle lens is essential to capture the scale of the channels and the vast schools. While strobes are useful for bringing out the color of the reef and animals, ensure they are powerful enough for ambient light compensation in deeper sections. During manta and whale shark season, natural light photography can also be effective, possibly with an increased ISO. Buoyancy control is paramount due to the strong currents, allowing you to maintain position for shots without disturbing the environment or other divers. Be mindful of marine life, giving sharks and rays space, and focus on capturing their natural behavior in the dynamic currents.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• British Loyalty Wreck (Addu)

  A WWII tanker wreck offering historical exploration.

• Kooddoo Corner (Gaafu Alifu)

  A channel dive known for shark encounters.

• Villingili Kandu (Gaafu Alifu)

  Another prominent channel dive in the southern atolls.

• Tiger Zoo (Fuvahmulah)

  Famous for consistent tiger shark sightings, often combined in Far South itineraries.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Shark Point (Addu) typically involves domestic flights within the Maldives. The nearest international airport is Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé, from which you would take a domestic flight to Gan International Airport (GAN) in Addu City. Alternatively, some liveaboards might use Kooddoo Airport (GKK) in Gaafu Alifu atoll for embarkation/disembarkation, connecting to Addu via boat transfers. 'Far South' liveaboard itineraries, typically 7 nights or longer, are the most common way to experience this region, including Shark Point. These trips are designed for experienced divers and often combine diving in Addu Atoll with Gaafu Alifu atoll. Domestic flights are usually not included in liveaboard prices but can be arranged. There are no specific diving permits required, but national park fees may apply for certain marine protected areas.

Safety & environment

Diving at Shark Point in Addu Atoll demands a high level of diver preparedness due to strong, often unpredictable currents and significant depths. It is mandatory for all divers to carry an SMB and reel, and to be proficient in their use for safe surfacing and pick-up. A dive computer is also required for every dive. Emergency evacuation from the southern atolls to a hyperbaric chamber can be lengthy and costly, often requiring speedboat transfer. The closest recompression chambers are on Bandos Island near Malé, or at Kandima Maldives Resort in Dhaalu Atoll, highlighting the importance of comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and recompression chamber costs. Divers should always dive within their certification limits and comfort zone, and not hesitate to call a dive if conditions exceed their experience.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Shark Point (Addu) FAQ

Liveaboards diving Shark Point (Addu)

These liveaboards may visit Shark Point (Addu) on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Horizon III

Maldives

25 guests

$204/day

Ocean Divine

Maldives

16 guests33.528 m

$287/day

EcoPro Mariana

Maldives

16 guests30 m

$236/day

Maldives Blue Force 3

Maldives

26 guests42 m

$236/day

Amba

Maldives

20 guests

$178/day

White Pearl

Maldives

26 guests

$387/day

Maldives Master

Maldives

26 guests

$207/day

Adora

Maldives

22 guests

$287/day

Emperor Leo

Maldives

24 guests35.1 m

$339/day

Maldives Legend Zen

Maldives

24 guests41 m

$316/day

Emperor Voyager

Maldives

20 guests29.9 m

$332/day

Felicity

Maldives

26 guests41 m

$229/day