Where to Dive With Sharks This Summer
As the warmer months roll in on this side of the equator, the wanderlust is kicking in and it’s time to think about summer trips. No vacation is complete with diving, and no dive is better than one with sharks! We put together a sharky summer dive guide to add to your ever-growing bucket list and help with summer trip planning.
NORTH AMERICA
New England, USA
Some of the best mako and blue shark encounters can be found off the coast of Rhode Island in the summer months (June through August). Blue sharks migrate to these waters and aggregate in large numbers, and divers can also catch a glimpse of the more elusive mako shark jetting through the water. The New England coast is bursting with other marine life too, including mola mola, tuna, and even basking sharks.
Photo by Lauren Romeiro
CENTRAL AMERICA
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
At this peaceful island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Mexico, hundreds of whale sharks meet for a seasonal congregation. From June through September, travelers can hop on a boat from Isla Mujeres, Holbox, or Cancun to an open ocean area where the sharks commonly feed. The days surrounding a full moon bring the highest concentrations of whale sharks, due to fish spawning events. You don’t even need to be scuba certified for this one!
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
On the other side of Mexico, 150 miles off the coast of Baja California, divers can experience a completely different shark experience. Guadalupe Island is famous for its thrilling great white shark dives. The kings and queens of the Pacific gather at Guadalupe from June to January each year on a tight schedule - first the feisty males, then the confident females. Among the white sharks, there is a bounty of yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, green sea turtles, and local pinnipeds to observe.
Photo by Carlos Gauna
Cocos Island, Costa Rica
This liveaboard-only destination is worth the journey. During the wet season, which runs from June to December, plankton blooms attract a multitude of marine life. This destination is best known for its schooling hammerhead sharks, which can number in the hundreds! In July, divers also have a chance to see whale sharks and manta rays. Although visibility is lower during these months due to the nutrients in the water, that’s what attracts marine life!
OCEANIA
Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
It’s not just the presence of sharks that makes this location special. Beqa Lagoon’s Shark Reef Marine Reserve was created in partnership with local villages and is dedicated to the conservation and research of sharks. Dive trips compensate local fishermen for agreeing not to fish in the reserve, which allows the ecosystem to thrive. Bull sharks are the star of the show at this site, but divers can also encounter reef sharks, lemon sharks, and tiger sharks. July to September offer the best conditions in terms of visibility, water temperature, and marine life.
Ningaloo Reef, Australia
This lesser-known Australian reef offers clear waters and abundant marine life year-round, but March through August are the best months for whale shark encounters. Autumn in Australia kickstarts the annual spawning of coral, which plays an important role in the feeding habits of whale sharks. Manta rays are also prevalent during these months, so divers have a good chance of crossing both species off their bucket list.
AFRICA
Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, South Africa
South Africa is one of the shark diving-epicenters of the world, and two dive sites in the Kwazulu Natal region contribute to that title. Sharks can be found at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks year-round, but the best conditions occur between March and July. There are a plethora of species here, including hammerhead, bull, oceanic blacktip, silky, sand tiger, and tiger sharks. The question is, what won’t you see?
Now that your summer bucket list is full, the only thing left is to book a flight! Don’t forget to pack the essentials, like mask defog, reef-safe sunscreen, a journal to jot down sharky memories, and a tote to carry it all. Happy diving!
