Whale Sharks

The whale shark is a giant, filter-feeding shark and the largest known fish in the sea. It reaches a size in excess of 40 feet in length and can weigh as much as ten tons!

Like the whales they get their name from, whale sharks feed primarily on plankton and small fish by opening their mouths and drawing in huge gulps of water.  Being filter feeders, they have tiny teeth and are not dangerous to divers.  With their massive size and slow movement, they provide an incredible diving experience for the divers who are willing to make the trip to their seasonal migration areas.   And since they feed primarily on the surface, even snorkelers can enjoy these huge fish.  The sheer size of the whale shark makes this dive unforgettable!

Whale Sharks - Patterns of Coloration

The whale shark has thin white vertical bars on its skin, alternating with columns of pale yellow spots over a dark grey or brown background.  Many theories abound as to the unique patterns of coloration that give the shark it's mottled appearance.  Some scientists believe that this shark shares a common ancestor with the carpet sharks and other bottom-dwelling sharks, while other theorize that it is a camouflage pattern that helps disguise the shark, hiding it from it's prey as it lay still on the bottom somewhere in it's evolutionary past.  Still, others even theorize the coloration helps protect it from the sun, since it spends a large portion of it's time in shallow waters along reefs.  On each individual shark, these patterns of coloration are unique enough that scientists can use them to identify them individually, and track their movements.

Diving with Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are primarily solitary in nature, but they group together for feeding at certain times of the year and can be easily viewed during seasonal feeding migrations.  They are known to congregate together in large numbers, typically on reefs or close to the surface, and experienced operators can drop divers right in on the action!  Whale sharks are known to gather on the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia during March and April, and known in the Seychelles of South Africa in the Fall.   They also encountered in Thailand, the Maldives, the Red Sea, Gladden Spit Marine Reserve in Belize, Sodwana Bay in South Africa, the Galapagos Islands, and Baja California.

Many sharks have a global habitat
range and predictable migration patterns. These patterns are vital in
predicting the locations and times
for the best viewing and shark diving opportunities. 
Explore the links below for basic facts and information about the species most commonly encountered
by shark diving enthusiasts.

Great White Sharks

It is possible that no other living creature on the earth has been
the subject of as much undeserved
fear and hysteria as the Great White Shark.   Growing massive in size,
(the great white is a solitary predator that can reach 20 feet or longer), the natural food source of
a great white consists primarily of harbour seals, northern elephant seals, sea lions, as well as dolphin, porpoise, and even the carcasses
of dead whales.  
Click here for more
on Great Whites.

Hammerhead Sharks

There are several different types of sharks referred to as hammerheads, for example, there is the Winghead Shark, the Scalloped Hammerhead, the Great Hammerhead, and the Smooth Hammerhead, ranging in size from 5 feet up to 15 feet long, with rare appearances of individuals (in the case of the Great Hammerhead) of up to 20 feet long! 
Click here for more
on Hammerheads.

Sand Tiger Sharks

The Sand Tiger is yet another species with an undeserved bad  reputation. It's ferocious reputation is based on the fact that this shark is frequently guilty of attacks
against surfers and swimmers
in the surf zone.
Click here for more
on Sand Tiger sharks.

Galapagos Sharks

Few sharks can rival the beauty and classic shark "form" of the Galapagos Shark.  Getting it's name from it's original discovery in waters off of
the Galapagos Islands, this shark
can grow up to 10 feet long, and
has a dark gray top with off-white belly.  Although they have been implicated in attacks on swimmers, like many sharks, these sharks are not normally dangerous to humans. 
Click here for more
on Galapagos sharks.

Reef Sharks

There are several sharks shark
divers are likely to encounter that
go by the name "reef sharks," such as the Blacktip Reef Shark,
Caribbean Reef Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Silvertip Reef Shark, & Whitetip Reef Shark- just to name
a few! 
Click here for more
on reef sharks.

This is your year to meet "Mystery" at Isla Guadalupe
Book your adventure with us today!

Email us at staff@divingwithsharks.com or call us anytime
to book your Great White shark adventure at

619.565.0208