Where to Dive with Your Favorite Species
Here at Shark Allies, we champion all ocean species, however, we aren’t ashamed to admit that sharks are by far and away top of our list. Our Allies at Bluewater Travel are inclined to agree, and with in-water experience with many of the world’s most iconic marine predators, we were keen to find out about their favorite shark species.
THRESHER SHARK
Slender, elusive, and with a spectacular silhouette, the thresher shark is characterized by its distended caudal or tail fin, in some cases long enough to double an individual’s total length. The tail is used for swatting and stunning small fish, and may also be a defense mechanism against larger predatory sharks and killer whales. The thresher sharks’ solitary nature and preference for deeper oceanic water make spotting this mysterious species a real challenge. However, one destination where a sighting is almost guaranteed is the small Filipino island of Malapascua. Here, thresher sharks emerge from the pelagic depths each morning to visit shallow cleaning stations along the reef, and diving with them at sunrise is an exhilarating experience.
GREAT WHITE SHARK
The most iconic shark of all time, this list wouldn’t be complete without including the great white. Although notorious as a fearsome predator, the great white is, in fact, cautious and even shy when encountering anything new. Almost exclusively experienced through the bars of a shark cage, this apex predator’s curious nature often leads to careful and methodical investigations of the cage metalwork, providing some fantastic photo opportunities for the divers within. Great whites favor temperate waters and prey on seals, sea lions, and cetaceans. Although migratory, they generally return to the same waters each season to breed, with some of the biggest populations found around the Pacific island of Guadalupe, and in the waters off the southern coasts of Australia and South Africa.
SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK
Another species easily identifiable by its unique shape, scalloped hammerheads create an awesome spectacle as they shoal in their hundreds in the coastal waters around oceanic islands such as Galapagos and Cocos. These large gatherings are thought to aid in finding prey, while their unusual hammer-shaped heads are covered in sensory electroreceptors to detect small fish and rays under the sand. Female scalloped hammerheads can reach over 8ft (2.5m) in length, and although migratory, they always return to the same waters to mate and give birth. One of the best places to dive with scalloped hammerheads is the Galapagos Marine Reserve, with the highest numbers normally gathering in January.
WHALE SHARK
Famous as the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark is a gentle giant that uses its huge mouth to filter feed plankton and tiny fish. Most commonly found within 65ft (20m) of the surface, these sharks migrate through tropical and warm-temperate seas, often timing their arrival in new waters to coincide with plankton blooms or fish spawnings. Mexico holds the record for the largest gathering of whale sharks, when as many as 400 individuals were recorded around the Yucatan coast in 2011. While it is possible to dive with whale sharks at sites around Socorro and Galapagos, most whale shark hotspots allow snorkeling only. Swimming with them in destinations such as Cebu in the Philippines, Indonesia’s Cenderawasih Bay, and La Paz in Mexico is an awesome experience, and draws visitors the world over to encounter these awesome sharks.
COOKIECUTTER SHARK
Less well-known than its popular relatives, the cookiecutter shark is a small, ocean-dwelling species that has an unusual method of predation. Using its oversized lips to suction onto the flank of large fish and marine mammals, the cookiecutter bites and twists a plug of flesh from its prey, seldom killing but rather leaving a 2 to 3 inch (5cm) wound. Very little is known about this unusual shark as it prefers deeper water during the day, only visiting the surface after dark. It is thought that bioluminescence in its skin acts as a lure to attract potential victims. It’s unlikely that divers in coastal waters will spot a cookie cutter shark, however, there have been reports of them in the channels between the Hawaiian islands and atolls.
Each species of shark is intriguing and unique in its own way, with fascinating adaptations and features that make them an exciting addition to any dive. Check out Bluewater Dive Travel for inspiration and ideas on where to stage your next shark adventure.