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There are some seas that only look beautiful in postcards, some that are only dazzling under a filter, but there are also locations where even the most accurate camera cannot fully capture the mesmerizing turquoise hue. The Maldives is one such place – no exaggeration, no advertising, just setting foot there is enough to feel small amidst a true paradise.
For travel blogger Tài Phạm (also known as Tài Tới Đây), this trip to the Maldives wasn't just about admiring coral reefs or sunbathing on the beach. He called it "a true date with the ocean"—where, for the first time in his life, he experienced something truly breathtaking: diving with sharks.
Travel blogger Tai Pham
A green dream began in the early days of a passion for travel.
"The dream of setting foot in the Maldives isn't just Tài's, but the dream of so many travel enthusiasts," he smiled, recalling the days when he was captivated by the stunning photos of the Maldives online.
About two or three years ago, visiting the Maldives was still a luxury for many young people who loved independent travel. Expensive airfare, exorbitant accommodation and transportation costs made the journey to this paradise in the Indian Ocean far from easy. But now, favorable conditions regarding airfare, more reasonable costs, and the increasingly professional approach to tourism by the Maldivian people have finally made that dream a reality. However, reality always surpasses expectations – or sometimes… it's even more demanding than imagined.
"The dream of visiting the Maldives isn't just Tài's; it's the dream of countless travel enthusiasts."
The first journey into the heart of the sea.
Tai Pham admitted that he's not a professional diver. But like many other sea enthusiasts, he spent time learning, accumulating knowledge, and preparing himself physically for this special journey. "To go diving in the Maldives, the first thing you need is to be in good health and able to adapt to the marine environment. And of course, it's a must to know how to swim and dive, because fish swim very fast," he said.
During his trip, Tài participated in three different diving tours, each showcasing a completely unique world of marine life. There were times of great luck, times when expectations were not met, but for him, those were unforgettable experiences.
"Shark diving tours are relatively simple, as the sharks here are very docile. But diving with manta rays, dolphins, or whale sharks is a big challenge for those unfamiliar with scuba diving," Tài added. The moment you immerse yourself in the turquoise water, surrounded by a world of silence with only the sound of breathing and bubbles, and then suddenly see giant fish gliding past – that's a feeling no film, photograph, or video can fully capture.
Diving with sharks - the fear, awe, and beauty of the masters of the ocean.
"What I regret most is choosing the shark diving tour in the afternoon instead of the morning," Tài recounted. According to local experience, sharks in the Maldives are usually more numerous in the morning – when they are hungry and hunting more actively. But that day, due to unforeseen circumstances, Tài's group could only participate in the afternoon tour, when the sea had fewer of these special visitors.
Nevertheless, the moment he first actually came face-to-face with a shark in the deep water remains one of his most unforgettable memories. Tài still remembers that moment vividly: an afternoon on the Maldives coast, the water a brilliant turquoise, a gentle breeze pushing the boat further and further from shore. The whole group plunged into the sea. And then, gray shadows glided past beneath their feet. They were sharks.
Contrary to the ingrained fears many people have about these ferocious creatures, sharks in the Maldives possess an unusual calmness. They swim leisurely, gracefully, and with the air of a true master of the ocean. But it is precisely this majestic, tranquil beauty that is enough to leave those encountering them for the first time – like Tài – speechless in a moment of overwhelming awe.
Sharks in the Maldives are known to be quite "tame," rarely attacking humans. However, the feeling of swimming alongside them, looking directly into the cold eyes of these creatures that had haunted his childhood through Hollywood films – for Tài, it was an experience that was both thrilling, overwhelming, and breathtakingly beautiful.
“There was a moment when a shark swam very close, so close that I could clearly see its teeth. I was a little scared at that time. But the fear passed quickly, because actually I just wanted to dive and see as many fish as possible. Moreover, the diving tours here are all experienced and safe, and these sharks are very docile, almost posing no danger to humans,” Tài Phạm recounted.
The feeling of swimming alongside, of looking directly into the cold eyes of a creature that had haunted his childhood through Hollywood films – for Tài, it was an experience that was both thrilling, overwhelming, and breathtakingly beautiful.
A symphony of colors at the bottom of the Maldives
The Maldives, dubbed the "jewel of the Indian Ocean," is renowned not only for its pristine white sandy beaches but also for its exceptionally rich marine ecosystem. When diving to depths of just a few meters, Tài Phạm felt like he had entered another world – a place where dolphins danced, stingrays glided gracefully, and coral reefs shone with vibrant colors.
“There are an overwhelming number of fish here, stingrays circling the island, and occasionally sharks swimming close to the shore. But the moment I remember most is being surrounded by hundreds, even thousands, of dolphins. It felt just like being transported to the world of Avatar, surreal and breathtaking,” Tài recounted.
During his diving trips, what always amazed Tai Pham was the magical beauty of the seawater. “The Maldives sea is so clean… unbelievably clean. Just by putting your face in the water, you can see everything clearly, vividly, and shimmeringly like another world.” Coral reefs, schools of colorful fish, fragments of a shipwreck in the depths of the sea – everything is projected right beneath the diver's feet. There, all senses are awakened, all emotions are stirred, and fear gradually vanishes in the spotless blue water.
Coral reefs, schools of colorful fish, fragments of a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea – all projected right at the diver's feet.
During his exploration of the vast ocean, Tài also encountered challenges and unexpected situations. For example, he once spent eight hours adrift in the ocean searching for whale sharks, only to return empty-handed. He recalled: “That day, the sea was rough, the waves were huge, and the boat was rocking. I felt very disappointed. But luckily, on the way back, I encountered a giant manta ray, with a wingspan of over two meters, gently gliding right under my feet.”
Maldives is not for the "outsiders".
The Maldives is a blue dream that you have to swim in, dive in, and get really close to – only then will you understand why it's always a must-see on the wishlist of travel enthusiasts. Tai Pham says the biggest difference between a professional diver and an amateur like him lies in speed. The sea in the Maldives is not only beautiful, but also full of speed and vitality. Sharks glide by like streaks of gray. Dolphins leap out of the water like silver arrows. There, the slower will always be left out of the game.
The sea in the Maldives is not only beautiful, but also full of speed and vitality.
“For those who aren't confident in their swimming and diving abilities, this experience might be less than perfect. Having to wear a life vest and observe from the surface significantly limits your view, not to mention the difficulties in moving with the schools of fish. My sincere advice is to equip yourself with swimming and diving skills before going to the Maldives. Because the beauty here is truly worth every penny, and you will feel that most deeply when you freely explore the ocean,” he said.
For Tai Pham, underwater, there is no such thing as stillness. There is only the "noise" of emotions as he swims among dolphins and sharks, as he comes face-to-face with the ocean at breathtakingly close distances.
“On the surface, it’s the joy of unexpectedly spotting fish. But underwater, it’s the happiness of watching them swim right before your eyes, so close, so vivid. And if there’s a moment of tranquility, it’s listening to the fish splashing and chirping playfully – as the tour guide jokingly says: they’re… ‘courting’ each other at the bottom of the sea,” he laughed. In the Maldives, a “green fee” of $6 per day is applied to tourists – as part of a commitment to preserving the marine ecosystem and maintaining the pristine beauty of this paradise archipelago.
Leaving the Maldives, travel blogger Tai Pham's luggage contained not only stunning footage of the azure ocean or encounters with "giants" at the bottom of the sea. Perhaps the most valuable thing of all was the feeling of being fully immersed in the vastness of nature, learning to respect every tiny creature, and listening to his own breath in the boundless water.
"I've been planning this trip for a long time, and I've done a lot of planning to make everything as logical and optimal as possible. In my opinion, the most difficult thing about going to the Maldives isn't transportation or costs, but choosing where to stay and how to have the most fulfilling experience. My advice is to choose a main island to stay longer, then spend more time visiting one or two other islands to explore. That way, you'll truly have enough time to feel and enjoy all the wonderful things this place has to offer," the male travel blogger advised.
Choosing Fulidhoo Island as your destination will save you travel time for spotting the fish. These graceful stingrays are frequently seen right on the island's beaches. This is a major advantage, offering a unique and easily accessible experience for observing marine life.
After all, every journey eventually comes to an end. But the emotions that the ocean leaves in the heart of a traveler will likely linger for a long time. And then, amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, simply by closing his eyes, Tai Pham can still clearly see a deep blue ocean appearing in his mind, where sharks calmly glide past him in a strangely peaceful way.
And then, somewhere amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, simply by closing his eyes, Tai Pham could clearly see a deep blue ocean appear in his mind, where sharks calmly glided past him in a strange sense of peace.
Additional information:
- The estimated cost for a 7-day, 6-night self-guided trip to the Maldives is approximately 33 million VND. This includes: 3 snorkeling sessions (5.5 million VND), 6 nights' accommodation (7.5 million VND), basic meals (2.9 million VND), transportation between islands (3.2 million VND), mandatory green fee & service fee (2.5 million VND), and a 20GB eSIM (1 million VND).
Please note the following preparations:
- Swimming/diving skills: It's advisable to practice swimming and diving skills as many tours don't allow life jackets.
- eSIM: Buying one at the airport (around $40/20GB) will be cheaper than ordering one in advance.
- Currency: It's advisable to exchange your money for small denominations of USD beforehand for convenience in payment and tipping.
- Transportation: Ferry services between the islands are infrequent and quite expensive, so plan carefully and check the ferry schedule in advance. Prioritize staying longer on one main island, and combine it with visits to one or two nearby islands to save costs.
- Mandatory accommodation fee: $6 USD/day for green fee and 18% mandatory service charge.
- Items to bring: Swimsuit, diving goggles, sunscreen, quick-drying clothes, comfortable sandals, and a waterproof camera.
