All marine life
Grey reef shark cruising above a Maldivian channel reef and fusiliersCarcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Sharks · Marine-life guide

Grey reef sharks

Current-aware channel and thila planning for confident divers interested in observing grey reef sharks calmly and without baiting.

EncounterChannels, thilas and outer reefs
Best monthsNov–May
Usual regionsAri Atoll · South Malé Atoll · Vaavu Atoll · Rasdhoo Atoll
Depth range5–50 m
Identification

How to recognise grey reef sharks

A streamlined requiem shark with a dark trailing edge on the tail, a pale underside and a rounded snout. Adults are commonly around 1.5–2 metres.

  • Current-facing reef habitat
  • Skill-matched site selection
  • Calm observation without baiting
Overview & behaviour

Observe natural behaviour

Grey reef sharks patrol current-facing reef edges and channels. They often conserve energy in the flow and should be observed without pursuit or baiting.

Encounter typesChannel pass · Pinnacle patrol · Outer reef
Typical conditionsCurrent-facing reef edges with schooling fish
Responsible viewing

Give wildlife space and follow your guide

01Keep a calm horizontal profile and let sharks set the distance.
02Do not bait, feed, corner or chase sharks for photographs.
03Stay with the guide and respect current, depth and gas limits.
Conservation

Conservation status

Endangered — IUCN Red List; fishing pressure and slow reproduction make populations vulnerable.

Our conservation approach

Build a marine-life-focused trip

We’ll match season, region and dive style while keeping every encounter realistic and respectful.