I usually go fishing in the harbour area of my island, Fuvahmula. At the edge of the harbour opening on the island, there is a restaurant. We walk through the restaurant and climb the big rocks stacked around the area.
We find this a good spot to cast our long rods on the edge of the harbour’s opening. We typically use long beach casting rods measuring 12 to 14 feet in length.
When we stand on the rock boulders, we can see the divers jumping into the tiger ‘zoo’, which is located at the harbour’s entrance. We usually go there to catch rainbow runners (maaniyamas), GT, and barracudas. Some anglers go to catch snub-nosed rudderfish (kirulhiya), spotted dartfish (vaali), fringelip mullet (mekunu), and other fish.
I’ve never seen the iconic tiger sharks beneath the ocean’s surface in this area, but we do encounter tiger sharks and black tips while snorkelling through the reef front in other parts of Fuvahmulah while catching reef fish at night.
Last week, I went to my island and the harbour point to prepare my fishing rod for casting. I had to wait because there were divers in the sea. I waited without casting my rod.
During high tides, giant waves pound these rock boulders. And we can see these massive tiger sharks swimming in shallow waters, some heading towards the harbour’s opening and then turning around to head out to sea.
The breathtaking sight is captured when these creatures circle without entering the harbour; massive tiger sharks, carried by the incoming waves, manage to circle close to the edge of these rocks, where the water depth is about 5 to 15 feet.
When these huge tiger sharks turn around and face the open sea, you can witness their entire appearance, a majestic silhouette within the wave. This is an amazing sight when these huge tiger sharks swim parallel to the rocks next to them, showing off their full length and sheer size.
Anyone who loves sharks and other big ocean predators will feel calm and peaceful when they see this beautiful scene. I’m attempting to capture beautiful photographs of the majestic silhouettes of these enormous creatures.
