Scubachannel
Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Our Story
Discover how Fuvahmulah became the world's premier Tiger shark diving destination
The Pioneer
Mr. Abdulla Zafar Ali pioneered the discovery of the first Tiger shark in Fuvahmulah. He is currently working as an instructor in Fuvahmulah. Apart from being a dive instructor, he is one of the few divers who are continually concerned about the advancement of this field in Fuvahmulah.
Diving Pioneer
First to discover Tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah
Certified Instructor
Professional dive instructor with years of experience
Visionary
Transformed Fuvahmulah into a world-class diving destination
Our Visual Journey
Explore the photographic history of our diving journey in Fuvahmulah through the years.
Early days of diving in Fuvahmulah
The Journey
The remarkable story of how Tiger shark diving began in Fuvahmulah, in the words of Mr. Abdulla Zafar Ali.
I had my very first experience scuba diving in Fuvahmulah in the year 2011. At that time the dive equipment was very scarce and there were no dive center or dive schools in this island. But I never gave up. The ambition of bringing a successful recreational diving in Fuvahmulah never dies.
As time passes, I came to know that there are Tiger sharks close to the harbor of this island. This made me more enthusiastic in bringing recreational diving. I managed to get scuba equipment from one of the local fishing boats (boadhi dhoni), Tharaanage Iburey, and with the help of Mr. Hussain Saeed (Kao) and Riyaz, Fehigiri, I was able to catch the first sight of a Tiger shark.
When I brought this news to my friends, most of them made fun of what I had told them. Many people said that you won't be able to see that kind of shark on this island. It was then that I felt I should discuss this with stakeholders. Hence, I managed to convince a few divers who were keen to explore this brand-new Tiger shark spot.
As I envisioned earlier, after a few months, a local entrepreneur (Mr. Saud) established a guest house and started selling diving trips to the Tiger shark point, and I became one of the divers who guided clients diving for Mr. Saud. Within 1 or 2 years, people started investing in this field. New dive centers and guest houses opened.
Today, I stand proudly as a pioneer of this profitable venture. We now have 21 guest houses and 7 diving schools or centers. I believe there is still room for development and expansion in this field. At the same time, I wish to see the water sport activities prosper and expand in a wider range.
Mr. Abdulla Zafar Ali
Founder, Scubachannel Fuvahmulah
Our Journey
The evolution of diving in Fuvahmulah from humble beginnings to a world-renowned destination.
First Dive Experience
Mr. Zafar had his first scuba diving experience in Fuvahmulah with scarce equipment and no dive centers. The first Tiger shark dive was conducted with Hussain Saeed (Kao) and Livia.
Tiger Shark Discovery
Discovery of Tiger sharks near the harbor of Fuvahmulah, marking a pivotal moment for diving in the region.
First Guided Dives
Mr. Zafar began guiding clients to the Tiger shark point, establishing the foundation for shark diving tourism.
Growth Period
Local entrepreneurs started investing in the diving industry, opening new dive centers and guest houses. Zaff led dive groups in 2014, expanding the popularity of the destination.
World-Class Destination
Fuvahmulah is now recognized as the world's #1 Tiger shark dive destination with 21 guest houses and 7 diving schools.
Fuvahmulah Today
Fuvahmulah is becoming more popular day by day. Even dive stakeholders have started promoting Fuvahmulah on different platforms, such as dive fairs. Our dive site is the world's No. 1 Tiger shark dive destination, achieving celebrity status.
From the beginning until today, Mr. Zafar has followed his passion as a scuba diving legend. We salute all the pioneers for making this place shine for scuba diving. This place is truly Shark Island, located in the middle of the southern hemisphere below zero degrees.
Guest Houses
Dive Centers
Tiger Shark Destination
Experience the Legend of Fuvahmulah
Join us for an unforgettable diving adventure with Tiger sharks in the pristine waters of Fuvahmulah.