Sharks. The moment you hear the word, you hear the soundtrack of Jaws in your head and then a picture of those terrifying teeth beckoning you to the black pit of the stomach comes into your mind…Sharks have gained a bad reputation as being the terrors of the ocean. However, when in Maldives you get the opportunity to get close to these beauties and you will realise that there’s more to sharks than their bite.
Maldives often referred to as a paradise, is surrounded by crystal clear waters teeming with an abundance of marine fauna, of which sharks are the top predators. There is an astounding number of 26 shark species who call these waters their home. Out of these, the widely spotted sharks are the Whale Shark, the Tiger Shark, and the Hammerhead Shark.
The friendliest of all sharks and the largest of the three above mentioned is the gigantic Whale Shark. These are adorable creatures that are so harmless that swimming alongside one is on almost every single tourist’s bucket list. Though whale sharks are friendly, divers are advised to keep a respectful distance, refrain from touching them or using flash photography. If you’re uneasy and want to enjoy a whale shark experience, best is to seek the help of experts. If your hotel is one that offers Maldives water sports the likes of the Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort; you will be escorted by a PADI certified instructor throughout your diving expedition. Whale sharks are year-round residents so you’re bound to spot one during the trip.
Now, we go on to the more “dangerous” ones. Out of the remaining two species, Tiger Sharks or Galeocerdo Cuvier is said to pose the highest threat as it has the worst reputation as a man-eater amongst all tropical sharks. Tiger Sharks are said to attach, swimmers, divers, and even boats. The curious Hammerhead Sharks are also said to be dangerous and it three species of hammerheads is recorded in the Maldives. The most spotted of these is the Sphyrna Lewini species.
So, if you’re planning on going on a diving expedition, make sure to choose a reputed agent or hotel like the above mentioned, so you can avoid any accidents. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States, sharks do not eat humans “in general” and are “known to attack humans when they are confused or curious”.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.