Marine life profile
Sharks
Recorded at 279 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Sharks around the world
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fishes characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. 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
Treat every shark as a powerful wild animal. Keep hands close, avoid baited activity and follow the local guide's instructions.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
Modern sharks are classified within the division Selachii and are the sister group to the Batomorphi (rays and skates).
Where to Find
Look along reef drop-offs, channels, sandy ledges and blue-water edges where currents concentrate food.
Known countries
Sightings map
Sharks locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Hog Heaven
United States of America (USA)
The main feature of this dive site is a 185' barge which has been twisted up by storms over the years to create great swim throughs. Other items at this site include a smaller barge, concrete culverts and I beams from Interstate 595 construction, an airplane wing, and a radio tower called the "jungle gym". Lots of big creature sightings here including Goliath Grouper, Manta Rays, Turtles, Cobia, Nurse Sharks, etc.
Rainbow River
United States of America (USA)
Rainbow River Dive Tour Crystal clear fresh springs water with 200 ft of visibility. Beautiful year round Florida weather Fish, Turtles, and sometimes Otters. Grass beds filtering the water. Bird species. Spring beds dotting the bottom. A small cavern at the end of the trip. And yes even Sharks Teeth and fossils. The deepest depth of the river is 25 ft. so snorkelers can free dive as well as this depth gives divers longer bottom time than deeper dives. While drifting the Rainbow River the boat carries the diver down flag so you don’t have to. Don’t forget to bring your camera the view is amazing.
Shark Point
Indonesia
Travel time: 20-25 minutes Depth: 6m - 30+ meters Level: All Levels Current: Strong at new and full moon Marine Life: Reef sharks, turtles, humphead parrotfish, large schools of fish Highlights: Canyons that run parallel to the shore, excellent site for viewing the big stuff! A flat sandy bottom turns into a series of progressively deeper canyons that run parallel to the eastern shore of Gili Trawangan. This is a very popular site due to the sheer variety of life that can be seen on a single dive. Reef sharks can be seen cursing through the canyons while lazy turtles can be spotted in the shallows and every full moon it is a favorite hangout for schools of huge humphead parrotfish. This site also houses the Glenn Nusa Wreck which was deliberately sunk in February 2016 she sits upright.
Mike's Maze
Sint Maarten
Part of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. It starts at approximately 40 feet (12 m) and boasts healthy coral formations and numerous maze-like swim throughs, passageways wind around coral heads, through arches and over bridges. This location is where the Nature Foundation conducted one of its coral reef restoration projects. Common critters: Many of the 60 TWA fish species! French Angelfish, schooling Chubs, Spiny Lobster, & Foureye Butterflyfish, Elkhorn Coral formations, Special guests: Spotted Eagle Rays, Squid, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Sexy Shrimp in anemones, staghorn coral formations
Mosquera
Ecuador
Mosquera (NORTH) Site Conditions: Normally there are no strong currents, sandy bottom between 10 meters with garden eels and pelagic species. North Mosquera presents a sandy rock area that connects with Seymour channel where must be found reef fishes and tintoreras rest. Activity: Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, black-tipped reef sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, barracudas, reef fishes, stingrays, eagle rays, mobulas, Galápagos eel, variety of invertebrates. MOSQUERA (SOUTH) Site Conditions: There are no strong currents; a big reef of 5 meters with an inclination ravine of 18mtr with black coral and mollusks invertebrates; there is also a submarine cany on from18 meters with pelagic species. Activity: Hammer head sharks, black-tipped reef sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, barracudas, reef fishes, sting rays, eagle rays, mobulas, Galápagos eel, variety of invertebrates.
Diving in Ras Mohamed is a top attraction for divers due to its stunning coral reefs and rich marine life. Key highlights include: Home to vibrant ecosystems with diverse hard and soft corals. Popular spots include Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for their beauty and marine life. Encounter species like clownfish, turtles, and even sharks. Clear waters often exceed 30 meters, ideal for underwater exploration. Suitable for all skill levels, with guided tours available. With its breath-taking underwater scenery, Ras Mohamed is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
Shallow Blinders
South Africa
A short swim from the shore in Plettenberg Bay lies a trio of pinnacles that is a photographer’s paradise! This large reef is home to many fish species and is a nursery in the summer months. Summer also brings the ragged-tooth sharks to this reef; however pajama sharks, leopard sharks and puffadder shy sharks are spotted all year round. Sightings of rays, cuttlefish and boxfish on the swim out are common and nudibranchs, octopus, sea spiders and scorpion fish inhabit the reef itself, making it ideal for macro photography.
Agatti Edge
India
The edge of the lagoon. Gently slopes from 8m to 35m and the a 12m wall leading to another gradual slope to depth. The slope has coral laden reefs with a few sandy patches.
Baix De Naix
Mozambique
45 Minute Boat Ride from Inhaca -normally done with two tanks per Diver on the Boat is an Underwater Reef system -similar to Aliwal or Two mile -called Baix de Naix. Observation of the prevailing current will determine the Anchor position or start point of the dive. This underwater paradise has everything to offer
Barrack Rock
South Africa
Barack rock is a deep dive site only accessible by boat. Barack rock is a pinnacle formation with two different depths, about 25m on the north side and bout 30m on the south side. the peak of the pinnacle is approximately 3m on low tide.
Batee Tokong
Indonesia
With boat from Rubiah Dive Center 10 minutes, max deep unlimited, average 20-30m, sometimes the current is strong. You can enter from the boat, very happy dive site
Benchmark
Mozambique
Spectacular reef, as it stands one of the best reefs in Morrungulo, many more still to be found of course. Straight offshore from Peri-Peri Dive Camp. It takes around 30mins to arrive, possible to find dolphins and hammerheadsharks on the way.
Bequia Head
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Long drive from the dive shop, this dive site is exposed to extremely strong currents and rough seas therefore only dived in perfect conditions and by expert divers only. Max depth 40m/120ft along steeply sloping reef, this is a drift dive with negative entry as no moorings and all divers must have their own SMB.
Bisé Morto (4)
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
This reef starts shallow and from about 10 meters there is a dropoff to a sandy bottom. It is a site that is accessible from the shore or boat, but diving is usually done by boat.
Black Rock
Philippines
One of the few known reef manta cleaning stations in Southeast Asia where cleaner wrasse serve to remove dead skin off the mantas’ body. This site is called Black Rock because of a rock at 8 meters where one of the buoys are set up.
Black Rock Drop Off
Cayman Islands
Our captains love to tell wild tales about Black Rock Drop-Off—from pirate battles to cannonballs sinking mutineers. The truth? It’s simply named after a large black rock onshore, once used for navigation before mooring balls.
Cala Tuent
Spain
around 30 minutes boat ride away from the dive center is this spectacular dive site right at the corner of cala tuent. the boat ride is beautiful along the tramuntana
Candyland
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
A beautiful reef with lots of healthy coral! You will also find a lot of coral shallower, which makes snorkeling here a great experience. Pay attention on the entrance, it is littered with remains of coral.
Carel’s Vision (8)
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
This site is named after Carel Steensma, a resistance hero from the Second World War. He had a role in the establishment of the Washington Slagbaai Park.
Caribsea
United States
Caribsea rests in 90 feet/27m of water, approximately 15 miles northeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The wreck is contiguous, largely intact, and sits on a flat, sandy plain on the continental shelf.
Cyclone
Papua New Guinea
45minute boat ride south of Tufi Dive Resort is an amazing reef structure known as Cyclone. Formed during the 1972 cyclone, this is one of the prettiest coral reefs in the area. There are three distinct dives on this site. Light to moderate current and depths from 5-40m.
Dale Green
New Zealand
Dale Green features a varied site with some reef and steep wall aspects. Walls drop to 80 meters depth close to shore. Large black coral trees and abundant fish life around them. Has red coral colonies in overhangs.
Deep Boulders
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Max Depth 27m/90ft - Starting from the mooring at the end of Boulders, descend down the steep slope and explore the huge boulders sitting at a depth of 20m/70ft, then head deeper South exploring under a ledge at 27m/90ft for nurse sharks and then ending the dive around the point into Moonhole.
Dheraha Thila
Maldives
Deep thila starting at 18m deep going down to 30m. Good dive site for advanced divers, ideally with Nitrox certification. The thila looks like a broken rock separated in many blocks.