Tiger Zoo

Tiger Zoo in Addu Atoll provides one of the Maldives' most accessible and extraordinary shark encounters, welcoming beginner divers to a shallow site reaching just twelve meters where tiger sharks visit with remarkable regularity. This gentle depth and the calm conditions within Addu's lagoon create an environment where even newly certified divers can safely experience encounters with one of the ocean's most impressive predators. The site occupies a sheltered area within Addu Atoll's lagoon where warm, calm water flows over a reef and sand substrate that attracts tiger sharks as part of their natural movements through the atoll. The shallow depth means the entire dive takes place in brilliantly lit water where visibility is typically excellent, allowing divers to observe the sharks with clarity and detail that deeper encounters rarely permit. The strong tropical sunlight illuminating these magnificent animals as they cruise past creates moments of breathtaking visual beauty. Tiger sharks are the star attraction, their presence at this shallow site creating opportunities for observation that would be impossible at the depths where they are typically encountered elsewhere. These impressive predators approach the area with calm, measured movements, their striped flanks and broad heads unmistakable as they glide through the sunlit water. The sharks' typically non-aggressive behavior in this environment allows divers to observe them at comfortable distances, creating encounters that are thrilling without being intimidating. The reef and sand environment hosting the tiger shark encounters also supports a broader marine community that enriches the diving experience. Nurse sharks rest on the sandy bottom between coral formations, their docile nature providing additional large-animal encounters. Stingrays sweep across the sand on feeding runs, while schools of reef fish maintain their activities around the coral structures seemingly unperturbed by the presence of the larger predators. The ecological completeness of the scene, from small reef fish to apex predators, creates a window into a functioning marine ecosystem. The beginner-friendly depth and conditions mean that tiger shark encounters at this site are available to the widest possible audience of divers. Experienced guides manage the encounters with practiced skill, positioning divers for optimal observation while maintaining safe distances. The shallow profile also allows generous bottom times, meaning divers can spend extended periods in the company of these magnificent animals rather than being limited by deep-water time constraints. Tiger Zoo represents a rare and precious diving opportunity, a site where one of the ocean's most iconic predators can be observed in its natural environment by divers of virtually any experience level, in conditions that maximize both safety and the quality of the encounter.