Vietnamese woman overcomes fear to dive alongside nurse sharks in Maldives

For many Vietnamese travelers, a trip to the Maldives means relaxing at high-end resorts. But Tuong Vy chose a different way to experience the island nation, staying with local residents and spending much of her trip exploring the underwater world.

Nurse shark diving has long been available in the Maldives, but the experience was still relatively unfamiliar to Vietnamese travelers in early 2025, according to Vy.

"I was scared as soon as I heard the word 'shark,' but the guides told me, 'They won't bite.' They don't attack people, so I decided to take the chance," Vy said.

Reaching the dive site required a one-hour speedboat ride through waves measuring 1-2 meters high.

Before entering the water, divers received detailed instructions on safety procedures for diving with nurse sharks.

Although nurse sharks are generally docile and do not attack humans, divers still need to follow safety rules. For example, they are advised to avoid waving their arms and legs underwater to avoid having nurse sharks mistake them for food.

Divers are instructed to keep their arms folded or place their hands on their heads.

They should also avoid getting too close to, touching or feeding the sharks on their own.

Maintaining a safe distance and remaining calm throughout the dive are essential, Vy said.

At the dive site, guides release small amounts of meat and fish as bait.

Once the sharks gather around the feeding area, divers observe them from a safe distance.

Sometimes, when large numbers of sharks gather, they may bump into divers, but divers should remain calm and follow the guide's instructions.

The entire Maldives trip cost Vy around VND35-40 million (US$1,330-1,520).

The nurse shark diving tour alone cost about $100, covering the dive, a meal on the island and photo services.

Vy said the price was comparable to free-diving tours in Vietnam, but she found Vietnamese guides more enthusiastic preparing for and supporting divers.

For her, one of the Maldives' biggest attractions is its crystal-clear blue water, unlike that of any other sea she had previously visited.

After her nurse shark encounter, Vy decided to return to the Maldives in early 2026 to continue exploring the underwater world.

This time, she sought out opportunities to dive with dolphins, eagle rays and whale sharks.

In Vietnam, travelers interested in free-diving experiences can visit Ly Son Island, Nha Trang or Phu Quy Island in the central region.