5 "Fintastic" Places to SCUBA Dive with Sharks

An equally mesmerizing and terrifying sight, the finned-form of a shark will get your heart pounding and send your imagination racing. While some travelers would run in the other direction at the mere thought of an interaction, an in-water encounter with a shark can be one of the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring and humbling experiences of your life. Known to be one the world’s greatest predators, these magnificent animals pique the interest of adventurers and ocean-enthusiasts everywhere. If you're keen on seeking out these majestic, fiercely toothed-hunters, we have some suggestions for where to head.

Tiputa Pass, Rangiroa Atoll - Tahiti

Best for: Intermediate Scuba Divers

A sanctuary that encompasses almost 2 million square miles of ocean, Tahiti is a haven for marine life large and small, but 200 miles northeast of the island’s shores is where divers are guaranteed to see sharks. Not one or two, or even 10, but dozens of finned creatures, swimming in packs. Also famed for its extreme surfing and fearless skin divers who brave the shark population in pursuit of glistening pearls, the region is equally known as a shark diving hotspot where tourists can swim with Hammerheads and Tiger Sharks. When to Go: April through November

Beqa Lagoon - Fiji

Best for: Anyone SCUBA certified

The gin-clear waters of Fiji’s protected Shark Reef Marine Reserve play host to a wealth of fined inhabitants for cageless feeding opportunities. White, silver, and blacktip reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, bull and tiger sharks all call the world’s soft coral capital home. At one dive site along Fiji’s infamous Shark Corridor, adventurous divers can descend into the depths without a cage and watch from a distance as the predators feed. When to Go: Year-round although bull sharks are less prevalent November through December

Cocos Island - Costa Rica

Best for: Advanced Scuba Divers

In the heart of the Golden Triangle 342 miles from the shores of Costa Rica, deep sea currents converge on the volcanic seamounts of Isla del Cocos. Uninhabited except for a few researchers, the islands are blanketed in an untameable tropical forest and their shores play host to an unsurpassable wealth of pelagic marine life. Amongst the unmistakable volcanic topography of the seabed, legions of scalloped hammerheads are a common sight along with majestic manta rays. When to Go: For best water conditions Decemeber through May; for the most marine life June through November

Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

Best for: Intermediate and advanced divers

Situated about 217 miles from the Australian shores of Cairns, Osprey Reef is one of the most northerly in the Coral Sea. A pristine atoll which rises 1000 m below the water, you’ll find an impressive array of aquatic life and a rich marinescape of vibrant corals, some of which grow over 2 m high. The reef’s most noted dive site is North Horn; a coral amphitheater in which divers can watch finned predators of the deep feed. Not for the faint of heart this cageless shark dive is the ultimate adrenaline fix. When to Go: Year-round, but you can also time your trip to spot Humpback whales June to November

Guadalupe Island - Mexico

Best for: Anyone

One of the world’s premier destinations for great whites, this small island off the coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula beats both South Africa and Australia in terms of sightings above and below the surface. Ultra clear water offers 150 feet of visibility and sharks numbers in the area often peak at 150, making cage diving here quite the thrill. Secured in your cage, you'll descend to a depth of about 30 feet to witness the sharks in action. When to Go: July through November