Almost every diver wants to see them, so here are some of the best places in the world to dive with sharks, as compiled by PADI
Diving with sharks is at the top of many divers’ wish-lists, but more than a third of all sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, with some Critically Endangered species at risk of disappearing in our lifetimes.
Sharks have had some good news recently, however, with the UK government passing the Shark Fin Bill, which will see the trade in separated fins banned across the UK.
‘This is a huge win for sharks, our watery blue planet and all of us that call it home,’ Julie Andersen, Senior Global Director of Brand for PADI Worldwide and founder of Shark Angels. ‘Sitting atop the oceans’ food chain for 450 million years, sharks keep our largest and most important ecosystem healthy, which is why PADI is committed to protecting them – and their watery homes.’
There are more than 500 species of shark around the world, which is an awful lot to try and find – so PADI compiled a list of some of the best places to visit to improve your chances of iving with sharks.
1. Bajo Alcyone – Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Far removed from the Costa Rican mainland, Cocos Island is consistently ranked one of the top destinations in the world for hammerhead shark diving. Only accessible by liveaboard, you’ll dive several world-class sites during a trip to Cocos Island, but the sharkiest dive of them all is Bajo Alcyone. This seamount rises to 25 meters (82ft) and attracts seasonal schooling hammerhead sharks (see when to go below). All you have to do is dive to the top of the mount, wedge into a protected area and take in the action all around you.
- Dive Type: Seamount
- Recommended Level: Advanced due to the depth and current
- Featured Shark: Scalloped hammerhead
- When to Go: June to November for the best marine life. December to May for the best water conditions.
2. Monad Shoal – Malapascua, Philippines
With over seven thousand islands, the Philippines has hundreds of shark dives, showcasing whale sharks, reef sharks, and zebra sharks. However, shark enthusiasts will know the Philippines for one dive in particular – Monad Shoal off the tiny island of Malapascua. This site is the most consistent in the world for thresher shark sightings. At 30m (100ft), divers wait for the thresher sharks to come for their daily cleaning sessions. So, if you’d like to see this wild-tailed shark, escape to this Philipino tropical island paradise.
- Dive Type: Ridge
- Recommended Level: Advanced
- Featured Shark: Thresher shark
- When to Go: November to June for the best thresher shark action
3. Gordon Rocks – Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands is one of three destinations that make up the legendary “Shark Triangle.” The other two are Cocos Island and Malpelo. Much like the other destinations, the Galapagos are home to schools of hammerhead sharks, and one site, in particular, is known as a shark diving mecca. Strong currents at Gordon Rocks, an eroded crater near Santa Cruz Island, attract dozens of hammerheads into a confined area. The currents bring plankton, which in turn results in high fish numbers, attracting the hammerheads! Divers can safely get fairly close to the sharks, but this dive site should only be attempted by divers with experience in diving in currents.
- Dive Type: Drift
- Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced – experience in current advantageous
- Featured Sharks: Scalloped, great and smooth hammerheads
- When to Go: June to November
4. Tiger Beach – Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
The Bahamas is known as the world’s best shark diving destination. It’s true that you can swim with reef sharks, hammerheads, and oceanic whitetips around these gorgeous islands. However, one of the best sites is Tiger Beach, where you’re nearly guaranteed a safe encounter with tiger sharks. Several of these sharks appear every day to be seen by local divers waiting in groups on the sandy bottom as the sharks circle around for several minutes. As an added bonus, you might also see nurse, lemon, and Caribbean reef sharks while diving at Tiger Beach.
- Dive Type: Sandy Bottom
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Tiger shark
- When to Go: October to January
5. Pipín – Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen), Cuba is quickly becoming one of the best shark diving destinations in the world. Only accessible by liveaboard, this protected area boasts several incredible sharky dive sites. At Pipín, divers can swim alongside up to 30 silkies and Caribbean reef sharks in just one dive! After years of protection (which is clearly evident underwater) by the Cuban government, these sharks are more curious than fearful of divers approaching them at will.
- Dive Type: Wall
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Creatures: Caribbean reef sharks and silky hharks
- When to Go: December to April
6. Shark Dive – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Billed locally as the ‘best shark dive in the world,’ this part of Beqa Lagoon near the southern coast of Viti Levu in Fiji has been the site of shark diving for nearly a decade. On an average day, about 50 sharks show up. Bull sharks are the main attraction, but you’ll also see nurse, lemon, white-tip, black-tip, silvertip, grey, and maybe even tiger sharks – the variety is part of the attraction.
- Dive Type: Reef
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Bull Shark
- When to Go: Year-round
7. Gladden Spit Whale Shark Dive – Placencia, Belize
If you’re looking for a slightly gentler shark, try diving with the mighty whale sharks in Belize. Gladden Spit near Placencia is known for encounters with these gentle, filter-feeding giants, who are attracted to the area for the delicious fish eggs produced by spawning snappers. The best chance of seeing a whale shark during a dive occurs just before and after the full moon when there are higher plankton levels in the water.
- Dive Type: Open Ocean
- Recommended Level: Intermediate
- Featured Shark: Whale Shark
- When to Go: March to June and around a full moon
8. The Canyons – Rangiroa, French Polynesia
Inside Tiputa Pass, the Canyons is one of many great shark dive sites in French Polynesia. During an incoming current, divers begin in the mouth of the pass, finding shelter in an underwater cavern and waiting for grey reef sharks to appear. The dive continues through the pass, pausing in several canyons along the way for shark observation. Strong current attracts upwards of 200 grey reef sharks from June to July and a smaller number of great hammerheads at the beginning of the year.
- Dive Type: Drift
- Recommended Level: Advanced with drift diving experience
- Featured Shark: Great hammerheads and grey reef sharks
- When to Go: January to March for great hammerheads; June and July for grey reef sharks
9. Pyramid Rock – False Bay, South Africa
South Africa may be famous for its great white shark diving and sardine migration, but it’s also one of two places in the world to dive with the pre-historic-looking seven-gill sharks (also known as cow sharks). The chances of encountering this rarely-seen shark are high in the shallow kelp forest – up to 18 seven-gills have been seen at the same time due to their social feeding behaviour. You’ll need a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit to enjoy the dive, but despite the cooler waters, it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Dive Type: Kelp Forest
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Seven-gill shark
- When to Go: May to August
10. Open Water – San Diego, California, USA
Southern California is one of the best spots in the world to catch a glimpse of lightning-fast shortfin mako sharks. These sharks are open-ocean hunters and follow their prey to the San Diego coast from June to November. They are often spotted alongside sleek blue sharks, so divers can go diving without a cage with both of these beautiful pelagic predators simultaneously.
- Dive Type: Kelp forest
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Shortfin mako shark & sleek blue shark
- When to Go: June to November
11. Osprey Reef – North Queensland, Australia
This world-renowned reef is globally recognized. One of the best shark spots on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is Osprey Reef, where you can spot grey reef sharks, silvertips, wobbegongs (also known as carpet sharks), and so much more. Liveaboards are a great way to make the most of your time in this spectacularly busy reef ecosystem. Prime season is any time from June to August.
- Dive Type: Coral reef
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Grey reef sharks, silvertips, wobbegongs
- When to Go: June to August
12. Lemon Drops – Jupiter, Florida, USA
Jupiter has become world-famous for the annual migration of lemon sharks during the winter months. The yellow-tinged sharks congregate around wrecks and deeper ledges from Jupiter to Palm Beach. Every year from December to late March, these lemon sharks, which can grow to over 13 feet (4 m), follow the nutrient-rich Gulf Stream. Year-round shark encounters, including Bull Sharks, makes Jupiter a top pick for exciting encounters!
- Dive Type: Wrecks / deep ledges
- Recommended Level: Beginner
- Featured Shark: Lemon sharks
- When to Go: December to late March
For more top dive site info from PADI, visit travel.padi.com
