Shark Diving Caribbean (2024)

FAQs

Where is the best place to dive with sharks in the Caribbean? ›

Mexico, Belize and Honduras are some of the best places to dive or snorkel with whale sharks in the Caribbean, while the most exhilarating shark encounters can be found in the Caribbean's far north, most notably around the islands of the Bahamas.

Bull sharks, reef sharks, great hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks, oceanic white tip sharks, tiger sharks and whale sharks all swim in the Caribbean Sea – so scuba divers and snorkelers often seek them out. Under the guidance of an instructor, you can swim with all of these types of sharks safely.

Don't panic or swim away

If you encounter a shark while diving, it's important to remain calm and avoid swimming away quickly. Swimming away quickly can trigger the shark's predatory instincts, and it may start to follow you. Instead, remain still and slowly swim backward to keep a safe distance from the shark.

On average, a shark diving experience in The Bahamas could cost anywhere from $130 USD to $440 USD per person depending on the location and the shark species you are looking for. This price does not include transportation, equipment rental and speciality courses.

The beautiful Bahamas should be on every traveler's bucket list. Its powdery sand beaches are heavenly, and the array of aquatic adventures that await is neverending.

New Smyrna Beach, the "shark bite capital of the world," hands down, is the most dangerous beach in Florida for shark bites. Florida had 16 reported unprovoked shark bites in 2023, according to a study released by the Florida Program for Shark Research.

The Caribbean reef shark infrequently attacks humans. In general, a shark attack on a human is behaviorally similar to an attack upon natural prey. A human is more susceptible to being attacked if the shark is cornered and feels that there is no escape route.

The white shark occurs worldwide in temperate and subtropical waters, often migrating seasonally to follow its preferred temperature range (approximately 50 to 80 °F). In the U.S. Atlantic, they range from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Caribbean.

Most shark attacks happen in shallow waters, like waist deep, where sharks are more likely to find feed such as seals and birds. Most sharks also enjoy the murky-ness of shallow waters. Humans surfing or floating in shallow waters resemble animals off shore going for a dip.

Let it have it – no catch is worth the risk of personal injury. If a shark begins to get too interested in you by coming closer and closer, the best strategy is to leave the water – swim quickly but smoothly, watching the shark all the time, with your dive partner close at hand.

What happens if a shark is circling you? ›

As the shark swims around you, keep your head on a swivel and try to maintain eye contact. “Sharks are ambush predators,” Peirce explained. “If you're turning around and facing it the whole time while it circles you, it's not going to be half as comfortable as if it's able to sneak up from behind.”

How deep is the cage in the water? The cage remains afloat with about one foot of the cage above the water at all times. The cage is also solidly attached to the boat with two thick ropes that further prevent it from sinking or drifting away from the boat. The bottom of the cage is about six feet below the surface.

For encounters with these majestic underwater creatures, you'll need to visit specific islands: Bimini for hammerheads, Cat Island for oceanic whitetips, West End Grand Bahama for tiger sharks, Nassau for Caribbean reef sharks, and Nassau or Andros for silky sharks.

There's a beach in the Bahamas that's unlike any other in the world. It's located 20 miles off the coast of West End, Grand Bahama, and buried like sunken treasure under crystal clear blue water. Tiger Beach is a location known worldwide for its tiger shark population.

There are several reasons that New Smyrna Beach has become the "shark bite capital of the world." Director of The Florida Program of Shark Research, Gavin Naylor, told Business Insider that the main reason is that the Ponce de Leon inlet just north of the beach brings bait fish down the Halifax River into the ocean.

Diving in the Bahamas changes little from month to month. In addition to great topside conditions, November to May is also the best time for shark diving. Tiger sharks are present from October to January at Tiger Beach, and you'll find hammerhead sharks at Bimini from December-March.

The Caribbean reef shark is found throughout tropical waters, particularly in the Caribbean Sea. This shark's range includes Florida, Bermuda, the northern Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Guadalupe Island in Mexico is the top destination for great white shark encounters. This small volcanic island, located in the Pacific 240 kilometres (150 miles) off the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, outperforms both South Africa and Australia with shark-seeing consistency and conditions.