The Maldives may be a small collection of islands, but they are home to various tropical animals. Naturally, this includes several species of sharks. Common sharks around the Maldives are the blacktip reef shark, the scalloped hammerhead, and the gray reef shark.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in the Maldives
| Species | Maximum
Size |
Aggressiveness |
| Blacktip Reef Shark | 3-4 feet | Moderately aggressive (if provoked) |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Gray Reef Shark | 4-5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Lemon Shark | 9-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| Leopard Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Nurse Shark | 7-8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 10-13 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Scalloped Hammerhead Shark | 9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Silky Shark | 7-10 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Silvertip Shark | 6.6-9.8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous) |
| Tawny Nurse Shark | 9.6-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| Tiger Shark | 10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Whale Shark | 18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
| Whitetip Reef Shark | 3-5.5 feet | Moderately aggressive (only when provoked) |
| Zebra Shark | 8.2-11 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Maldives >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in the Maldives?
As of 2022, there have been no reported shark attacks on humans.
2. Can you interact with whale sharks in the Maldives?
Yes, there are several ways to interact with shark species, including the whale shark, in the Maldives, including diving, snorkeling, and swimming.
3. Are there great whites in the Maldives?
Great white sharks prefer temperatures in the range of 12-24°C, which is warmer than the shark’s preference. However, great whites have been spotted occasionally around some islands.
