Shark attack cases in the Maldives: attacks on people
Shark incidents in the Maldives are rare, but they do happen, and recent ones show where the risk comes from. Here is what Maldives Independent reported, and how to lower the risk. We found no official national count.
What has been reported
- Maldives Independent wrote in May 2025 that there is no official national count of shark attacks, and that some incidents go unreported.
- June 2024: a soldier died after a shark attack during a training exercise near the Maavah channel in Laamu Atoll, as reported by Maldives Independent.
- 19 April 2025: a 30-year-old man from Kulhudhuffushi was injured. His injuries were not life-threatening.
- 11 April 2026: a tourist was seriously injured near Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll, and a leg was amputated. Maldives Independent said the bite was consistent with a feeding-associated response. The species has not been confirmed.
- The anonymous Maldives Shark Incident Registry recorded one attack a year in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and eight incidents since, most of them linked to feeding.
What raises the risk
- Feeding and chumming at dive and snorkel sites teaches sharks to link people with food.
- Dumping fish waste near the water, or timing trips to it, attracts sharks.
- Spearfishing and fishing from the water can also draw sharks in. Reef fishers report many negative encounters since the fishing ban.
How to lower the risk
- Go only with a licensed operator and ask whether the site is used for feeding or fish-waste dumping. Avoid such sites.
- Do not feed sharks and do not enter water where fish are cleaned or waste is thrown.
- Stay with the group and follow the guide. Avoid swimming alone, at dusk or at night.
- If a shark comes close, stay calm, do not splash and move back to the boat or shore without sudden movements.
- For the species you may see, read Sharks of the Maldives. For snorkelling near Thoddoo, read Sharks near Thoddoo.
Frequently asked questions
Are there shark attacks in the Maldives?
Yes, they are rare but real. Maldives Independent reported fatal and serious incidents in 2024 and 2026, and there is no official national count.
What caused the 2026 Kooddoo incident?
Maldives Independent said the bite was consistent with a feeding-associated response. The species has not been confirmed.
What makes attacks more likely?
Feeding, chumming and fish-waste dumping, which teach sharks to link people with food.
Is it safe to snorkel?
Most reef sharks seen on trips are small, and incidents are rare, but follow a licensed guide and avoid feeding sites.
Is there an official statistics table?
We found none, so we do not publish a table of cases by year.
Reviewed by the Relax Residence team in October 2026.
