Where is the best place in the world to dive with Sharks?
Diving with sharks has got to be one of the most thrilling experiences a person can undertake in their lifetime. Sharks are some of the most majestic and misunderstood creatures of the ocean, and encountering them in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience for scuba divers. Here, we list the top 10 places in the world to scuba dive with sharks, the species you may encounter, and the best time of year to visit these incredible destinations.
This is Oyster Diving Holiday’s top 10 places to encounter shark :
1. Galapagos Islands
Famed for hundreds of schooling hammerheads but there is so much more to see including Sea Iguanas, Penguins and Seals.
- Sharks: Hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, whale sharks
- Best Time to Visit: June to November
- Why Dive Here? The Galápagos is famous for its biodiversity, and divers can encounter large schools of hammerhead sharks at sites like Darwin and Wolf Islands. During the whale shark season, massive whale sharks also make an appearance, providing an incredible spectacle.
2. Cocos Islands
Probably more hammerhead sharks then anywhere found on earth as used in may wildlife programmes!
- Sharks: Hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tiger sharks
- Best Time to Visit: June to December
- Why Dive Here? Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for schooling scalloped hammerheads. The nutrient-rich waters attract a variety of shark species, including whitetip reef sharks and occasional tiger sharks, making it a bucket-list destination for any shark lover.
3. Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
The Sardine Run is where dozens of different types of sharks come to feed on the migrating sardines. You can also include dives to a few other dive sites for some close up encounters. A trip down the coast and you can go cage diving with Great Whites.
- Sharks: Oceanic blacktip sharks, ragged-tooth sharks (sand tiger sharks), tiger sharks
- Best Time to Visit: May to November
- Why Dive Here? Aliwal Shoal offers year-round shark action, but from May to November, you can witness ragged-tooth sharks aggregating for mating season. Oceanic blacktip and tiger sharks are also common visitors, providing a diverse shark diving experience.
4. Guadelupe, Mexico
Off the Californian coast this is probably one of the best places in the world to cage dive with great whites as the water is so clear. The Mexican Government has currently closed this site to tourists.
- Sharks: Great white sharks
- Best Time to Visit: July to November
- Why Dive Here? Guadalupe Island is one of the top destinations for cage diving with great white sharks. The crystal-clear waters provide amazing visibility, making it one of the best places in the world for observing these apex predators up close.
5. Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Sharks: Bull sharks, tiger sharks, reef sharks, lemon sharks
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Why Dive Here? Beqa Lagoon is known for its shark dives, where divers can see bull sharks and even tiger sharks in a controlled feeding environment. The colourful coral reefs and presence of other reef shark species make it an unforgettable dive.
6. Malapascua Island, Philippines
Why Dive Here? Malapascua Island is the only place in the world where divers can reliably encounter thresher sharks. Early morning dives at Monad Shoal offer the best chance to see these elusive, long-tailed sharks in their natural habitat.
Sharks: Thresher sharks
Best Time to Visit: November to May
7. Bahamas – Doing a multi-island trip is really worth while! Head to Bimini for Great Hammerheads and schools of Caribbean Reef Sharks, Grand Bahama for Tiger sharks. To see Oceanic White Tip Sharks head to Cat Island (May)
- Sharks: Tiger sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and great hammerheads
- Best Time to Visit:
Hammerheads: November to April
Tiger Sharks: April to June - Why Dive Here? Tiger Beach is famous for close encounters with tiger sharks. The clear, shallow waters make it ideal for both novice and experienced divers.
- Bimini is probably the best place in the world to get close to great hammerheads and take breath-taking photos!
8. Fakarava, French Polynesia
Why Dive Here? Fakarava’s famous “Wall of Sharks” is a breath-taking sight where hundreds of grey reef sharks patrol the channel. The pristine atolls and clear water create a stunning setting for divers to witness this natural phenomenon, particularly during the grouper spawning season.
Sharks: Grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks
Best Time to Visit: June to September
9. Brothers & Daedulus, Red Sea
The Shark Special liveaboard trips that run in the Red Sea give one of the best chances in the world of diving with rare Oceanic White Tips. There are plenty of other shark species but the trip has to be made by liveaboard.
- Sharks: Oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks
- Best Time to Visit: October to December
- Why Dive Here? The Red Sea offers fantastic shark diving opportunities, especially at the Brothers Islands and Daedalus Reef. Divers can encounter oceanic whitetips, schooling hammerheads, and grey reef sharks. The vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life make it a diverse and rewarding dive destination.
10. Philippines – Malapascua Island is world known location of diving with very rare Thresher sharks (on Monad Shoal). Whitetip and Hammerhead sharks (Kimud Shoal) are frequently found in the area.
- Sharks: Thresher sharks
- Best Time to Visit: November to May
- Why Dive Here? Malapascua Island is the only place in the world where divers can reliably encounter thresher sharks. Early morning dives at Monad Shoal offer the best chance to see these elusive, long-tailed sharks in their natural habitat.
Our dive club has a few trips coming up with the chance to dive with sharks.
For other holidays our travel centre would be happy to provide you with a free quote.