15 Must-Visit Locations For Every Shark Enthusiast

Sharks command attention in a way few creatures can. Their silent power, sleek movements, and deep-sea mystique keep people hooked for life. Fans know there’s nothing quite like seeing one glide past in open water. For anyone drawn to that thrill, these 15 places bring you closest to the action.

Tiger Beach, Bahamas

Kneeling on a white sand bottom, you might be surrounded by tiger sharks in calm, shallow water. Exceptional visibility makes this spot popular among underwater photography enthusiasts. Shark activity is regular and usually includes multiple individuals circling close, making each dive a heart-pounding spectacle.

Guadalupe Island, Mexico

Cage diving doesn’t get more thrilling than at Guadalupe. Great white sharks patrol the volcanic island’s waters, drawn by the abundant pinniped population. Visibility often reaches 100 feet or more, so spotting these giants is a near guarantee between July and November, the island’s peak season for shark activity.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Large schools of scalloped hammerheads cruise through the northern waters near Darwin and Wolf Islands. Sightings can include Galapagos sharks and silky sharks too. With strong currents and deep drop-offs, dives here aren’t for beginners—but the shark life is unmatched almost anywhere else.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Hammerhead sharks love hanging around Cocos Island’s underwater pinnacles. This remote marine sanctuary, over 340 miles from shore, draws those hoping to see massive schools swirling overhead. Other regulars include whale sharks, silvertips, and the occasional tiger shark in one of the most remote hotspots.

Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Some of the world’s most action-packed shark dives occur in Beqa Lagoon. Bull sharks, tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and reef sharks all show up here in numbers. Dive operators use a controlled feeding site to attract sharks while minimizing impact, drawing thrill-seekers from across the globe.

Neptune Islands, Australia

Australia’s best-known shark diving site sits off the coast of South Australia. The Neptune Islands see regular visits from great white sharks, especially in the colder months. Underwater diving here brings you face to face with these apex predators, typically with bars between you and their jaws.

Malapascua Island, Philippines

Thresher sharks ascend early each morning to Monad Shoal, giving divers a rare glimpse of these pelagic predators. Few places provide reliable access to threshers with their trademark tails and skittish habits. Malapascua remains among the few locations for consistent, respectful interaction with these shy, open-ocean sharks.

Foveaux Strait, New Zealand

Rugged waters between New Zealand’s South Island and Stewart Island hold regular sightings of great white sharks. Bluff and Stewart Island tours take visitors cage diving in cold, green seas where these predators cruise. Colonies of fur seals along the rocky coastlines attract more white sharks from December to May.

Palau, Micronesia

Adrenaline spikes are common at Blue Corner, where strong currents sweep in massive schools of gray reef sharks. Divers hook into the reef to stay in place while the show surrounds them. Sharks appear in droves, accompanied by barracuda, tuna, and other fast-moving predators.

Gansbaai, South Africa

Locals call it “Shark Alley” for a reason. This narrow channel, situated between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, attracts great white sharks due to the booming seal population. Boats line up year-round, ready to drop cages into the frigid water, where these powerful hunters patrol just feet away.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu’s north shore shark dives are done out in the open. Galapagos and sandbar sharks frequently circle the boats, allowing snorkelers to watch from a safe distance. Clearwater and minimal current make these encounters memorable, even for those new to shark adventures.

Fuvahmulah Atoll, Maldives

Few spots match Fuvahmulah for tiger shark encounters. Multiple tiger sharks show up on a single trip, with occasional appearances by elusive thresher and hammerhead sharks. Vigorous pelagic activity and untouched reefs make the southernmost Maldivian atoll one of the most exciting locations in the Indian Ocean.

The Azores, Portugal

Mid-Atlantic waters surrounding the Azores archipelago attract blue sharks and makos during the summer. Boat rides head far offshore, where deep, nutrient-rich waters support big pelagic species. Visibility runs high, and sightings often include mobula rays and tuna sharing space with fast-moving, sleek sharks near the surface.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Every summer, warm Caribbean waters near Isla Mujeres fill with whale sharks chasing plankton. Hundreds gather off the Yucatan coast between June and September. Snorkelers float just feet above these slow-moving ocean giants. Despite their size, whale sharks glide calmly past, making the experience accessible even to nervous first-timers.

Bimini, Bahamas

Small but mighty, Bimini draws great hammerhead sharks close to shore during winter months. Divers visiting from December to March often encounter them in shallow, clear water. These encounters are rare elsewhere and have earned Bimini an exceptional reputation among shark fans. Bull sharks and nurse sharks also cruise the area year-round.