To most divers the thought of spotting a shark is an exhilarating and exciting experience. Some people are scared at the prospect of diving with sharks, while others seek out these encounters.
There are different types of dives that can be done with sharks. In a lot of places around the world, there is often the chance to spot a shark during the dive. In others, you can shark cage dive, where you are protected by a metal cage.
There are over 440 species of shark around the world meaning there’s a high chance you’ll spot a shark during your diving career.
Socorro Islands, Mexico
Labelled as one of the best shark diving spots in the world there is the opportunity to spot hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, silvertip sharks, dolphins, whales and manta rays. Whale sharks, oceanic whitetips and humpbacks occasionally make an appearance. It’s a dive that you are guaranteed to remember for the rest of your life.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Making up part of the “shark triangle”, the Galapagos Islands are world-famous for the chance to dive with sharks. Wolf and Darwin Islands, solely accessible via liveaboards, are teeming with sharks and schools of hammerheads. There are often strong currents which should only be attempted by experienced divers.
Fakarava & Rangiroa, French Polynesia
French Polynesia makes the list because of the types of sharks you can see during dives. Silvertips, lemon sharks, blacktips, grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks and hammerheads all make French Polynesia their home.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica
This island, only accessible by liveaboard, has several toothy dive sites. Bajo Alcyone, is one of the most famous, with a seamount that rises to 25 meters and attracts schools of hammerhead sharks. There is a chance to see whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks and silvertip sharks.
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
Isla Guadalupe is one of the four places in the world to dive with great white sharks, with an open-top cage giving you the opportunity to emerge from your protection to view the sharks clearly.