Mohd. Maroof is a master diver, storyteller, and founder of Nereus Expedition. His underwater imagery highlights the beauty and intelligence of marine life, especially sharks, challenging fear-based narratives. Through Nereus Expedition, he now leads immersive dive experiences designed to bridge the gap between science, storytelling, and conservation.
With a camera in hand and a deep respect for the ocean, Maroof captures the grace of sharks, the serenity of rays, and the rhythm of marine ecosystems. His work challenges outdated narratives, inspiring others to see the ocean not as a fearsome frontier, but as a place of connection, awe, and shared responsibility.
© Mohd. Maroof
Whenever I dive with them, my heartbeat gets really slow, its really calm, the world becomes a quiet blur of salt. Look closely and you’ll see it too, not aggression, but awareness. Not chaos, but control.
Every time I meet them beneath the surface, I feel less like an intruder and more like a witness. There’s no cage, no tricks. Just her, as she is. Sovereign. She doesn't need us to explain her, she just needs us to respect her.
This image is a reminder: Wild doesn’t mean reckless. It means honest. She is beauty without permission, danger without malice, and connection without words.
© Mohd. Maroof
© Mohd. Maroof
She rose from the shadows silent, sovereign. I was at my safety stop, suspended in stillness when she drifted into view. Not for me but for the school of fish ahead.
No tension. No chase. Just presence. We shared the water, nothing more. Sometimes, opportunity isn't loud — it's quiet, and it passes right beside you.
© Mohd. Maroof
Meet Jawgina. Her left jaw is broken and right is filled with fishing hooks. She cannot hunt like she used to and yet she still moves through the blue with grace, with strength, and silent resilience.
Today she glides not as a wanderer but as an apex, a silent force few dare to challenge. From prey to predator, from ordinary to legend. This is the story of evolution written not in books, but across the endless blue.
© Mohd. Maroof
I realized the true meaning of the line spoken by Cooper in the movie Interstellar: "We used to look up at the sky and wonder about our place in the stars. Now, we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt."
We are beginning to forget how curious we once were about exploring new things, understanding our purpose, and finding our place in the ecosystem. Instead, we seem more focused on exploiting it. By nature, we are supposed to be explorers, seeking to understand and uncover the unknown, while finding balance between ourselves and the natural world. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be that way anymore. These magnificent creatures reminded me of what we were originally meant to do. I hope this resonates with you as well.
© Mohd. Maroof
Before the mighty Megalodon ruled the seas, there was Otodus, a prehistoric predator from over 60 million years ago! This ancient shark set the stage for some of the ocean’s most fearsome giants, including Megalodon.
Though not directly related to today’s tiger sharks, both are perfect examples of evolution creating specialized hunters. Otodus could grow up to 33 feet long, dwarfing tiger sharks, but tiger sharks hold their own as one of the most adaptable predators in modern oceans.
Mohd. Maroof is a dive master, storyteller, and founder of Nereus Expedition. He uses the Sony a6400 camera inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing to capture his underwater images. Through his imagery and his expedition company he hopes to bridge the gap between science, storytelling, and conservation in the hope that it inspires other people to appreciate the sanctity of sharks and the beauty of our ocean. Mohd. Maroof's Nereus Expedition leads science expeditions aimed at marine education with a highlight on the importance of pelagics. You can see more of Mohd. Maroof's work on his Instagram @thedivingrabbit and learn more about his expedition company on his website www.nereusexpedition.com.
Additional Viewing
Sony Alpha a6400 Underwater Photos
6 Ways You and Your Kids Can Help Save the Sharks
Behind the Lens // EPIC Shark Splits at Golden Hour [VIDEO]
Incredible Encounters: Photographing Hawksbill Turtles in Grand Cayman
