Meet Nia:

Hi! I’m Estefanía Ojeda Otero (but you can call me Nia), the face behind @niasharks_ and the founder of Miyaru Ocean Expeditions. 🌊

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, a small island in the Caribbean that I’m deeply proud of, along with its culture. But even though we’re surrounded by the sea, many people here don’t enjoy the ocean. Many actually fear it.

I was the opposite. Since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with sharks. I even wanted to be one and couldn’t understand why I was born human! 🦈

The place that changed everything:
The Maldives changed my life. The first time I visited, something in me shifted: those waters, that land and its beautiful people gave me a sense of direction I had been struggling to find. I went back the next year, and that’s when I finally understood my calling. The year after, the calling was so strong that I organized my first group to share those special waters with others.

Our mission:
Our mission is to bridge the gap between humans, sharks and the ocean.

We do this by creating ethical, life-changing ocean experiences that transform fear into admiration. Through every expedition, we combine tourism with education and cultural connection, helping people understand why sharks matter and how to protect them, while always supporting local businesses and the communities that welcome us.

That journey to the Maldives showed me this is my purpose, and it’s why I do what I do.

Why Miyaru:
In Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, miyaru means shark. I named my company in honor of the Maldives, its oceans, its land and the people who changed my life. My goal is to return every year and be a bridge for others, so they can live the same life-changing experience I did.

What we believe in:
🦈 Ethical wildlife encounters, always respecting the animals and their home
🌍 Ocean education in every experience
🤝 Supporting local businesses and communities
💙 Meaningful groups, real connections and unforgettable adventures

Changing fear into admiration, one dive at a time. That’s the Miyaru way.