Sharks generally strike fear into the heart of the average swimmer. For some, however, the idea of sharing ocean space with the sharks is exciting and exhilarating. Fortunately, there are a handful of destinations around the world where shark lovers can visit their ferocious finned friends.
Your level of diving experience doesn?t matter. There are tons of great tours and trips available for both beginners and experienced divers alike. Some diving experiences take place in the safety of a controlled aquarium, but most divers agree that the best way to see a shark is in its natural habitat. Most of these trips consist of a boat rides into deep waters. Here we present 10 of our favorite locations for swimming with the sharks.
1. Galapagos Islands
The waters off of the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, are home to a variety of marine species you might not see anywhere else. The hammerhead sharks in these waters are as large as 15 feet long, and you?re sure to see some marine iguanas as well!
2. The Maldives
The Maldives is located directly on the earth?s equator, near Sri Lanka. These waters are home to some of the world?s most beautiful reefs, which house 16 different breeds of reef shark. The waters here are crystal clear, and you?re sure to see hammerheads and whale sharks as well.
3. Neptune Islands
The Neptune Islands can be found off of the cost of South Australia. This area is well known for being the place where the film ?Jaws? was created. Cage dives to see the great white shark are led by the esteemed Rodney Fox.
4. Underwater World
Underwater World, in Singapore, is an excellent destination for beginners. Participants do not have to be certified divers and will never step foot into the sea. Guides will take visitors into large tanks where they?ll be able to visit with sharks and a variety of other marine wildlife.
5. Dyer Island
Dyer Island, otherwise known as Shark Alley, is located off the coast of Africa. Tours from Dyer Island feature experience divers who take visitors in cages to visit with the great white sharks in the waters of South Africa. Your best chances of seeing a shark in these waters is during the winter months.
6. Cocos Island
Cocos Island, off the coast of Costa Rica, is one of the most active shark locations in the Pacific. Dives take place from ships only, and visitors are sure to see rays, whales, and dolphins as well as Galapagos sharks. The region is well known as a destination for schooling hammerhead sharks as well. Cocos Island is the perfect destination for a family, providing interesting attractions on land as well as in the sea.
7. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is known for it?s diverse variety of marine life. There are so many shark breeds it?s almost impossible to leave without seeing one. You?re bound to come in contact with silvertips, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, and more.
8. Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh, in Egypt, is considered a luxury destination for the shark enthusiast. Tour groups will gladly escort you into the depths of the Straits of Tiran and the Red Sea to visit with your aquatic friends.
9. Surin Islands
The Surin Islands are located off the coast of Burma. These waters are the home to the whale shark, which has a reputation for being one of the gentlest of the shark breeds. Keep your eyes peeled and you?ll see the shovel-nosed ray, orca whales, and even moray eels!
10. Sand Diego, California
The water off the shores of San Diego, California is home to a variety of hungry sharks. San Diego may not seem as luxurious as some of the other locations we?ve explored. Divers take guests into the deep waters in steel cages and chain mail suits, where they will be thrilled to visit with great white, blue, and mako sharks.
Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Visit the following websites for more information on sharks and aquatic adventures:
Hawaii Scuba Diving
Scuba Bahamas
The Maldives is simply heaven. I am a huge diving nut so when we got the chance to dive with the Whale Sharks when we were there I jumped at the chance and I am glad that I did. Once in a lifetime and memories that will last forever.
As a professional diver, shark conservation educator and shark enthusiasst for the last 16 years I was staggered by the inaccuracy of your article.
Jaws was created by Peter Benchley…and filmed on (real) location in Amity, Long Island. Benchley’s experience with Great Whites arose from Australia though. Your article does not make this clear.
The Maldives is NOT a great shark destination. Certainly not deserving of being No.2 (or maybe even in the top 10 at all). I’ve seen a few white tip reef sharks there…a silvertip and whale sharks… Hammerhead sightings are RARE though.
Sharm in Egypt is not great – or famous – for sharks. Sometimes you get some Ocean Whitetip far out at sea…or some Grey Reef sharks on the offshore (deep) pinnacles…but none you can swim with/to.
How about the following sites which ARE actually famous and recognised for shark experiences…
1. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia… world reknown for whale shark interactions on a yearly basis as the bay there fills with these giants of the ocean,
2. Donsol, Philippines. THE other world famous whale shark location…during peak season a swimmer/snorkeler could expect to see up to 15 of these behmouths that are larger than buses.
3. Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, South Africa. Again..world reknown for encounters with Tiger Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Black tip Sharks and Bull Sharks
4. Malapascua, Philippines. THE BEST place in the world to encounter the rare and wonderful Thresher Shark. Also reknown for the occasional mass schooling of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks.
5. Sipidan, Malaysia. Guaranted sightings of multiple White Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and occasionally pelagic species such as Great Hammerhead, Whale Sharks and Tiger Sharks.
6. Nasssau, Bahamas. Stuart Cove’s center in Nassau conduct the world famous shark feeding experiences, where guests (on scuba gear) will find themselves surrounded by dozens of Caribbean Reef Sharks and sometimes a guest Tiger Shark,
One more correction, I’m afraid. Jaws was in fact shot on and near the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. If you watch the film, you’ll notice that there’s a ferry delivering tourists which has “Wood’s Hole” printed on the side. There is a regular ferry service from Wood’s Hole to Martha’s Vineyard, but not to anywhere on Long Island as far as I know.
Cheers,
Niall