Marine life profile
Sand Tiger Shark
Recorded at 67 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Sand Tiger Shark around the world
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), also commonly known as the spotted ragged-tooth shark in South Africa, grey nurse shark in Australia, or blue-nurse sand tiger in India, is a species of shark that inhabits subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. Usually purposeful and energy-efficient, it patrols reef edges or open water and changes course when given space.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for a streamlined shark profile, visible gill slits and the fin shape or markings that distinguish this species.
How It Behaves
Usually purposeful and energy-efficient, it patrols reef edges or open water and changes course when given space.
Special Ability
Highly tuned senses help it read vibration, scent and tiny electrical signals hidden in the water.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Stay calm, keep the animal in view and let it choose the distance. Never chase, surround or block its route.
Safety
Maintain calm, controlled behavior and follow the guide's briefing. Never bait, chase, crowd or cut across the animal's route.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
It inhabits the continental shelf, from sandy shorelines (hence the name sand tiger shark) and submerged reefs to a depth of around 191 m (627 ft).
Where to Find
Look along reef drop-offs, channels, sandy ledges and blue-water edges where currents concentrate food.
Known countries
Sightings map
Sand Tiger Shark locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Tiger Port
Maldives
Tiger Port is an amazing location where you're able to see a large number of full-grown sharks including Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, Hammerheads, spinner sharks. Divers must have at least Open Water Diver certification to dive at this exciting and unbelievable location, Dive with experienced dive guides to practice safety protocols. SMBs are a must at this dive site as it is a high boat traffic location and safety should be the highest priority. 10 minutes by boat ride from Male' to the dive site.
Abo Almadafee أبو المدافع
Saudi Arabia
There are types of sharks, tuna, barracuda and dolphins, characterized by currents and good visibility, there are caves in it, and there is an area behind the Abu almadafea that is useful for snorkeling and swimming.
Amphitheatre
South Africa
Amphitheatre’s name says it all, divers can just observe the living color. Schools of marine life deliver the most brilliant show. Maximum depth is 27m with the top of amphitheatre at 18m.
Corveta Camaquã
Brazil
Ship specialized in setting up mines, that was transformed into an escort corvette during World War II to protect Brazilian waters. It sank due to bad weather and today rests at a depth of 60 meters. The Corveta Camaquã, adorned on the starboard side, still has several intact pieces, such as cannons and ammunition.
Denver Aquarium
United States
With four different diving exhibits there is lots to see in this indoor underwater playground. Come get some certification dives done, dive with the family or have a chance to get up-close and personal with some endangered and protected species you may never get to see in the wild.
Dive with Sharks Bangkok
Thailand
Dive with Sharks.This is the dive opportunity of a lifetime. Take a shark dive with Planet Scuba and you will be one of the daring few to dive with one of natures fascinating predators. Fully qualified staff will ensure that your dive is a thrilling, never to be forgotten experience.
Furna de Rosa
Cape Verde
The name ´´ Furna´´ means ’’ Deep cavity; Cave’’, and ’’Rosa’’ refers to a ´´garden´´ of multicolored corals that extend around the cave, especially at the entrance, giving us a magnificent view right at the beginning of the dive. The cave is about 8m high, 10m wide and 16m long.
Msea Hammer
South Africa
Maximum Depth 40 meters. Average Depth 22. Swim Throughs , Caves, Gullies and Crevices. Regular sightings of Scalloped hammerhead Sharks, Oceanic black tip sharks , large grouper and reef structure decorated with a great variety of colourful Nudibranch.
Passe bateau nord
France
The northern boats pass is much appreciated by all divers! Lots of life in the 10-20 meter zone, ideal for divers, the possibility of seeing sharks placed on the bottom of 40 meters; And for confirmed nitrox divers, possibility of reaching the march at 50 meters!
Passe de Tiputa
French Polynesia
The Tiputa pass originally known as the Hiria pass. It separates Avatoru from the village of Tiputa on Rangiroa atoll. With a length of 900 m and a width of 400 m, it is between 14 and 55 m deep. The currents can be very strong and changeable. The presence of a local guide is therefore recommended.
Ponta de Nho Jon ( Shallow)
Cape Verde
Located within the Bay, it offers excellent conditions; calm water on the surface, with good visibility, making it perfect for try dives, snorkeling, courses, and experienced divers. With a great concentration of life, it offers the possibility of “zigzagging” between the rocks, especially between 5 and 12 meters.
Servemar X
Brazil
The tugboat Servemar X was sunk in 2002, along with two other tugs, Lupus and Minuano, which are also located in Recife. This wreck is in navigation position and very well maintained. This dive is made between 20 and 25 meters and may have the presence of current.
SS Galava (Wreck)
Australia
Lying just over three nautical miles east off Terrigal, the SS Galava wreck is an impressive dive. Due to the depth at 51 meters, this dive is suitable for experienced divers only.
Two Oceans Aquarium Predator Tank
South Africa
The Two Oceans Predator aquarium is a 5 meter deep aquarium tank that boasts 5 Female Ragged Tooth Sharks, and a plethora of different captive wildlife.
Uc Adalar
Turkey
The islands surroundings are full of enjoyable and interesting trails. There are unlimited diving spots suitable for training. Divers of all levels can enjoy diving at this point
YO-257 (Wreck)
United States
This WWII Navy ship is one of Honolulu’s most popular dive sites and sites next to San Pedro wreck. The YO257 sits upright at 95 feet deep, about a mile off Waikiki’s coast. Those qualified to do so can penetrate the wreck through several cut-outs that have been placed throughout the wreck.
Yomejima Tuna Hole
Japan
A strange rock on Yomejima, the southernmost island in the Keita archipelago, about 50 km from Chichijima. The Arc de Triomphe is half-submerged in water. Bluefin tuna congregate in the holes, sometimes as many as 100 or more.
3 mile Bommie
Australia
Located three nautical miles offshore from the Entrance township, this sizeable reef of approximately 30 hectares holds a vast array of dive sites from shallow reefs droopier to 20 metres. further sites to deeper water, shallow caves and channels.
Adelaide (Wreck)
Australia
The Adelaide is a former warship scuttled in April 2011 as an artificial reef. Since its sinking, the wreck has proven its worth by providing homes to numerous fish species and is an ideal research area for local Marine Science students from the nearby university.
Aeolus (Wreck)
Location being verified
The Aeolus is a great wreck dive. It is usually dive #2 after U-352. It is still about a 20-mile ride from Beaufort, NC. The bottom is about 100 feet deep, but where you hover most of the time is about 90 feet. There is an abundance of fish and Grey Nurse Sharks. (aka, Sand Tiger Sharks.)
Aliwal Shoal
South Africa
Aliwal Shoal is a fossilized Sand Dune with interesting and unique mountain like reef structures that holds many swim throughs, gullies and crevices to explore. The reef is only accessible by boat, there is no shore entries. The surf launch is part of the adventure. Boats are 8.5m Rubber Ducks/Ribb
Anfiteatro
Spain
Along this wall there are many cavities that go up to 3m deep into the wall. In the northern part, there is a submersible tunnel that goes in an arc from 18m depth to the reef top at 12m. On the sandy areas in front of the reef, you can find rays, schools of sea bream, and gorgonians.
Avoca
Australia
Avoca is a shore dive. This is a nice dive site when the wind is blowing from the west, as it is a protected area with lots of colors and marine life.
Barranco
Spain
At Barranco you can see almost everything that swims in the Atlantic. The rugged rock face with the split-off rocks form gorges, breakthroughs, and grottos where life thrives. In the southern part is a large sunken buoy around which shoals of fish gather. In the sandy bottom there are rays.