Maldives Shark Magic with Scubaspa: A Journey of Conservation, Connection & Discovery

Shark Guardian
Jun 5
3 min read

Updated: Jun 8

Liz from Shark Guardian just returned from an unforgettable 7-night expedition aboard the luxurious Scubaspa Yin in the Maldives - a journey that was far more than just diving. It was a full immersion into the heart of marine conservation, personal connection, and ocean advocacy, all set within of one of the world's last shark sanctuaries. Here is the full account and personal words from Liz.

Diving Into the Maldives Shark Sanctuary

The Maldives is home to over 26 species of sharks, protected under its status as a shark sanctuary. From the moment we entered the water, we were welcomed into their world - graceful, powerful, and untamed.

We completed 17 dives across the Male, Vaavu, South Ari, and North Ari atolls, each one revealing a new facet of this underwater paradise:

Nurse sharks gathering at Alimatha Jetty
Pelagic encounters on exhilarating channel dives
Manta rays soaring gracefully at cleaning stations

A truly unforgettable moment came during a night dive with manta rays - just off the back of the boat. The dive lights attract clouds of plankton and it didn't take long, just after sunset, for the mantas to arrive. On other nights we saw dolphins, one night there were nurse sharks! Some trips even get lucky with whale sharks coming to feed! The set up was very well briefed and super well organised - the mantas certainly are not shy and come in very close. It was an awe-inspiring, humbling experience.

Though we explored the South Ari Marine Protected Area in hopes of encountering whale sharks, we didn’t spot any this time. But the educational aspect of the trip ensured the impact reached far beyond any single dive.

Shark Conservation in Action

As Shark Guardian’s representative, I had the privilege of delivering educational talks throughout the week. Topics included shark biology, the critical role sharks play in healthy ecosystems, and the threats they currently face from overfishing, finning, and climate change.

One highlight was the Whale Shark Awareness evening, where we introduced citizen science tools - such as ID photo submissions to sharkbook.ai and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program (MWSRP)—empowering guests to become part of long-term research efforts.

As an option, many guests also completed PADI specialty courses:

AWARE Shark Conservation
Project AWARE
Whale Shark Awareness

Each course nurtured new ocean advocates - educated, inspired, and ready to take action.

Scubaspa: Sustainable Luxury at Sea

What truly elevated this expedition was how Scubaspa seamlessly blended eco-conscious living with world-class luxury. From eliminating single-use plastics to onboard mineral water stations, reusable straws, and a sophisticated sewage treatment system, every detail reflected a sincere commitment to sustainability.

It was also fabulous to learn about other initiatives such as beach clean-ups, Dive Against Debris dives, and school engagement with Jamaluddin School. This all further reinforces Scubaspa's dedication to environmental responsibility. Their support of Parley for the Oceans and collaboration with MWSRP proved that they take long term sustainability serious.

A Floating Retreat for Body, Mind & Soul

Scubaspa is more than just a dive liveaboard. With its four spacious decks, full-service spa, yoga sessions, gourmet cuisine, and starlit cinema nights, it’s a sanctuary at sea.

A personal highlight?A beach BBQ following our whale shark dive day - complete with a lovingly sculpted whale shark sand creation, incredible food, and stargazing that reminded us just how small and connected we are to this vast, beautiful world.

The Scubaspa Yin crew - over 30 strong - were phenomenal, providing five-star service across every touchpoint. Their warmth, passion, and professionalism made the experience truly exceptional.

Protect What You Love

This expedition reaffirmed a core belief at Shark Guardian: When people experience the ocean’s beauty firsthand, they’re inspired to protect it.

Through diving, education, and shared purpose, we help build a wave of conservation-minded individuals - people who understand that our connection to the sea is profound, and that preserving it is vital if we are to continue to dive in such beautiful locations, and witness the abundance of marine life.

To everyone who joined us: thank you for your curiosity, passion, and love for the ocean. You’re now part of the Shark Guardian family.

Liz and Shark Guardian wish to thank Scubaspa for inviting us on this fabulous trip. If you'd like to join Liz on her next LOVE SHARKS adventure in September then follow the link or email info@sharkguardian.org.