their reputation as one of the ocean’s more placid species is well-earned
A guest, is describing her first time snorkelling with nurse sharks at COMO Cocoa Island; the looming forms of the large reef-dwelling sharks circling the boat, tails sweeping through the water below. “At first, I was thinking am I really going to swim here, with them?” she says. “I waited for everyone else to get in. But eventually it was my turn; I had to take the plunge.”
The experience begins with a 45-minute journey by boat from COMO Cocoa Island into the neighbouring Vaavu Atoll. Here, a shallow reef — just three to five metres deep — draws one of the most consistent gatherings of nurse sharks in the Maldives. Sightings, according to snorkel guide Ali Shafeeu, occur “about 90% of the time,” with groups often numbering between 20 and 30 individuals. “With other hotels, the number of people can almost outnumber the sharks,” he says. “But we do it differently at COMO Cocoa Island. We guide private snorkelling excursions for families, couples and friends. It’s much calmer in the water.”
The journey itself is part of the experience; pristine open water, salt-sprayed air, and clear morning light. Shafeeu notes that while snorkelling is possible year-round, visibility is typically best earlier in the day. On the way, dolphins are sometimes spotted in the shallows, offering an unexpected encounter before the main event.
When the boat reaches the site, movement gathers below. For many, the first instinct is caution. Nurse sharks — some reaching over four metres in length — can appear imposing. Yet their reputation as one of the ocean’s more placid species is well-earned. “They are not aggressive,” says Shafeeu. “We call them lazy sharks. They like to swim slowly, or just rest on the bottom.”
COMO Cocoa Island’s marine biologist Ilaria Zuccaro adds context to this behaviour. Nurse sharks are nocturnal hunters, feeding primarily on octopus, squid, and small fish; by day, their movements are unhurried. “They are curious,” she says, “but they are not interested in people as prey.”
Still, entering the water requires a shift in mindset, and a careful respect for both the marine environment and a creature much larger than ourselves. Guests are briefed to remain horizontal in the water, to keep their hands close to their bodies, and to observe wildlife-friendly etiquette. “A shark may brush against you,” says Zuccaro, “but you shouldn’t reach out to touch the shark.” With experienced guides always within arm’s reach, and flotation support available, reassurance comes as much from proximity as instruction. “Our priority is to make guests feel calm and safe,” Shafeeu explains.
Shafeeu and Zuccaro agree that any fear tends to be anticipatory. “Once I was in the water, my fear just fell away. I felt grounded,” says our guest. “I realised I could exist around the sharks. They weren’t going to hurt me.”
Awe begins to take its place. Small details reveal the complexity of the ecosystem. Jackfish gather near the sharks’ mouths; remoras attach themselves along the length of their bodies. The reef below supports a wider network of life, much of it easily overlooked in the presence of such striking animals. For Zuccaro, these moments offer an opportunity to deepen understanding. “To have sharks around is a sign that the reef is healthy,” she explains. With marine ecosystems under increasing pressure, the nurse shark excursion becomes part of a broader relationship with the ocean.
By the time guests return to the boat, reactions have shifted from apprehension to exhilaration. Our guest smiles as she recalls her initial hesitation: “I still can’t believe I did it. But everyone should experience this at least once in their life. It’s extraordinary.” For Shafeeu, who guided our guest's snorkelling trip, these reactions are as meaningful as the experience itself. “Seeing guests’ excitement after,” he says, “that’s the best part.”
Watching our guest, Shafeeu and Zuccaro speak, there is a sense of shared understanding between them. Experiences like this have a way of shifting perspective: making you aware not only of how small you are within the ocean, but how naturally you belong within it, too.
The ‘Snorkel with Nurse Sharks’ experience takes approximately three hours. A marine biologist can accompany your expedition at an additional cost. For more information, please contact our concierge at COMO Cocoa Island.
