Alimatha Jetty night dive (nurse sharks)
The reef had been quiet all day—turtles gliding past, a few reef sharks nosing the coral. Then, just after sunset, the nurse sharks arrived. Dozens of them, some over two metres long, cruising the sandy bottom like silver ghosts. The dive guide flicked on his torch and the beam lit up their pale underbellies as they circled our fins, completely unfazed. That night I understood why divers fly halfway around the world for this single site: Alimatha Jetty isn’t just a dive, it’s a direct view of one of the ocean’s great nightly spectacles. Since then guests come for scores of clients here, from nervous first-timers to seasoned pros, and every one of them surfaces with the same grin—eyes wide, hands waving, already asking when they can go back. If you’re chasing nurse sharks after dark, this is the place to do it.
Why people come here
Alimatha Jetty sits on the eastern rim of Vaavu Atoll, a 45-minute speedboat ride from most liveaboards or a short dhoni hop from nearby resorts. The site itself is a simple wooden pier that juts into the channel between Alimatha Island and the open ocean. By day the water is a clear turquoise; by night it turns to liquid obsidian. That’s when the nurse sharks—usually 30 to 50 of them—gather beneath the jetty to feed on the small fish attracted by the lights. They glide in slow, hypnotic loops, their blunt snouts brushing the sand, completely indifferent to the divers hovering above. On a good night you’ll also spot moray eels poking from the coral heads, stingrays buried in the sand, and the occasional reef shark patrolling the drop-off. The current is usually mild, making it well-suited to beginners, yet the marine life is so dense that even veterans keep coming back.
The dive step-by-step
Most operators run the dive as a single 45–50 minute descent. You kit up on the dhoni, giant-stride off the stern, and descend to 12–15 metres along the jetty pilings. The guide will lead you in a slow spiral around the structure, torch beams criss-crossing the water. Nurse sharks congregate on the sandy bottom; look closely and you’ll see their gills fluttering as they suck up small fish. After 20 minutes the group usually ascends to 5 metres for a safety stop, where the sharks often rise with you, their pale bellies glowing in the torchlight. Surface intervals are spent on the dhoni, sipping hot chocolate while the guide points out the constellations above the atoll.
Who should go
Fede guides anyone who’s comfortable in open water and curious about sharks. The site is shallow enough for Open Water divers, but the real magic happens after dark, so you need to be calm in low visibility. Photographers love it—nurse sharks are slow-moving and unfazed by flashes. Families with kids aged 10+ can do a modified version in daylight, when the sharks are still present but fewer in number. If you’re on a liveaboard, Alimatha is often the first or last night dive of the itinerary, so it’s an easy add-on.
When to go
Nurse sharks gather year-round, but the best conditions are from November to April. During these months the northeast monsoon keeps the atoll calm, visibility hovers around 20 metres, and the water temperature sits at a balmy 28 °C. May to October brings the southwest monsoon—choppier seas, occasional rain squalls, and slightly lower visibility (12–15 metres). The sharks are still there, but the surface interval can be less comfortable. If you’re coming in the off-season, pack a light rash guard for the boat ride back.
How to get there
Most divers reach Alimatha on a liveaboard. The classic 7-night Southern Atolls itinerary usually includes Vaavu, and many boats schedule the jetty dive on the first or last night. If you’re staying at a resort, day-trips are possible from properties in Vaavu Atoll (e.g., Cinnamon Velifushi) or even from South Male Atoll resorts like OBLU Select Sangeli, which runs a dedicated night-dive excursion. Transfers typically leave the resort jetty at 16:00, arriving at Alimatha by 17:30 for a sunset briefing and two dives. The return journey finishes around 22:00, so pack a light dinner or snack for the boat.
Gear & safety notes
A 5 mm wetsuit is plenty—Vaavu’s water rarely drops below 27 °C. Bring a torch with a wide beam (1000+ lumens) and a backup; the sharks are used to lights, but you’ll want redundancy. A reef hook can be useful if the current picks up, though most nights it’s negligible. Gloves are optional but helpful if you want to steady yourself on the jetty pilings. Operators provide tanks, weights, and a guide; if you’re bringing your own camera, a tray and arms are essential—nurse sharks are close, and you’ll want both hands free to adjust settings. Safety stops are done at 5 metres, often with a line from the dhoni, so make sure your BCD is properly weighted.
What else to expect on the trip
Liveaboards that visit Vaavu usually pair Alimatha with other well-known sites: Fotteyo Thila for its swim-throughs, Miyaru Kandu for grey reef sharks, and the famous manta ray cleaning station at Dhiggiri. Resorts offering day-trips often bundle the jetty dive with a sunset dolphin cruise or a morning snorkel at a nearby thila. If you’re staying on Cinnamon Velifushi, the resort’s PADI 5-star centre runs a ‘Shark Specialty’ course that includes two dives at Alimatha—well suited to anyone wanting to learn more about these gentle giants.
The honest bit
The jetty is popular, so you’ll rarely be alone. On busy nights there can be 20–30 divers in the water at once, which means torch beams everywhere and the occasional fin in your mask. If you prefer solitude, ask your operator about the ‘early bird’ dive—the first group usually has the site to themselves. Visibility can drop after heavy rain, and the sharks are wild animals, so numbers vary. Some nights you’ll see 50; other nights just a handful. The current is usually mild, but if it kicks up, the dive can be shortened. Lastly, the jetty itself is functional, not pretty—don’t expect a manicured resort pier. It’s a working structure, and that’s part of the charm.
Who I wouldn’t send
If you’re a brand-new diver who’s only done pool sessions, Alimatha at night might feel overwhelming. The same goes for anyone who’s nervous in low visibility or uncomfortable with sharks. While nurse sharks are harmless, their size can be intimidating. I’d also steer clear if you’re prone to seasickness—the dhoni ride back can be choppy, especially in the off-season. Lastly, if you’re travelling with very young kids (under 10), most operators won’t allow them on night dives, and the late return isn’t well-suited to early bedtimes.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR THE ALIMATHA JETTY NIGHT DIVE?
November to April offers the calmest seas, warmest water, and best visibility (15–25 metres). The sharks are present year-round, but the off-season (May–October) can bring choppy conditions and lower visibility.
HOW MANY NURSE SHARKS CAN I EXPECT TO SEE?
On a typical night, 30–50 nurse sharks gather beneath the jetty. Numbers vary—some nights you’ll see more, some nights fewer. They’re most active just after sunset.
IS THE DIVE SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
Yes, if you’re a certified Open Water diver comfortable in open water. The site is shallow (max 15 metres for most of the dive), the current is usually mild, and the sharks are harmless. However, the low-light conditions can feel intense for first-timers.
WHAT GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
A 5 mm wetsuit, a wide-beam torch (1000+ lumens) with a backup, and a reef hook if you’re worried about current. Gloves are optional but helpful. Most operators provide tanks, weights, and a guide.
CAN I DO THIS DIVE FROM A RESORT, OR DO I NEED A LIVEABOARD?
Both options work. Liveaboards often include Alimatha in Southern Atolls itineraries. Resorts like Cinnamon Velifushi and OBLU Select Sangeli run dedicated night-dive day-trips, usually departing around 16:00 and returning by 22:00.
HOW DEEP DO WE GO?
The main part of the dive is at 12–15 metres, with a safety stop at 5 metres. The sandy bottom beneath the jetty slopes to 30 metres, but the sharks rarely venture that deep.
WHAT OTHER MARINE LIFE MIGHT I SEE?
Moray eels, stingrays buried in the sand, occasional reef sharks, and schools of sweepers and cardinalfish attracted by the lights. Macro photographers often spot nudibranchs and shrimp on the jetty pilings.
IS IT CROWDED UNDERWATER?
On busy nights, yes—there can be 20–30 divers in the water at once. Torch beams criss-cross, and you might bump fins with someone. For a quieter experience, ask your operator about the first dive of the evening.
CAN KIDS DO THIS DIVE?
Most operators allow kids aged 10+ with parental consent. Some resorts offer a modified daylight version for younger divers, where nurse sharks are still present but fewer in number.
WHAT’S THE WATER TEMPERATURE?
27–29 °C year-round. A 5 mm wetsuit is plenty, but a rash guard is useful for the boat ride back, especially in the off-season when evenings can be breezy.
DO I NEED A SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION?
No, but some operators offer a ‘Shark Specialty’ course that includes dives at Alimatha. It’s a great way to learn more about nurse sharks and their behaviour.