Maldives is an archipelago of 1,192 islands grouped into 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. Like other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Maldives is increasingly economically reliant on tourism and related industries, marketed around the unique natural beauty of the area, both above and below the waterline. Those better versed in the language of luxury tourism speak of ‘unrivalled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and an amazing underwater world … an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime’ (Lonely Planet, 2021). The ‘Visit Maldives’ (2021) website promotes ‘unique geography that mesmerises the visitor. Reefs that offer bands of colour, tiny jewel-like islands rimmed with the whitest of soft sand surrounded by the clearest shallow waters that one can imagine’. Snorkelling and scuba diving are therefore among the most popular tourist activities in Maldives due to its extensive coral gardens and variety of marine mega fauna. Maldives are a status destination for many, where they get to experience luxury and exclusivity, with a premium paid for seclusion and privacy.Maldives are not an obvious subject of an essay on dark tourism. In fact, proponents or students of sustainable tourism would argue the opposite. Tourists to the area appear to be drawn to the life and the vitality of the coral reefs, and tourism is generally positioned as an unmitigated good for the region and for the wildlife that lives there. Sustainable use and conservation of the environment are therefore of paramount importance to the Maldives, evidenced by a range of relevant environmental laws and policies the country has implemented (Techera and Cannell-Lunn 2019).