Diving with (tiger) sharks: how to prepare?

Tiger sharks have perhaps one of the most impressive reputations underwater. Large sharks, powerful bodies and a name that immediately captures the imagination. Yet tiger sharks, like many other shark species, are often much calmer and more curious than people think.

Sharks have long had the image of aggressive hunters. Of course incidents occur, but the chances of being bitten by a shark are extremely small. In fact, the chances of a tree falling on you are greater than a shark attack.

Of course, that doesn’t mean jumping into the water unprepared. Especially when diving with larger sharks such as tiger sharks, oceanic whitetips or bull sharks, it is important to be well prepared and respect the animals’ behavior.

Margriet works at EWDR as a marketing and content specialist. She is also an avid diver and diving instructor. One of her favorite encounters underwater are sharks, precisely because these animals are often completely different from the image many people have of them. In this blog, she explains how to prepare for a dive with tiger sharks, what to expect underwater and why encounters with sharks are just so impressive.

The right experience

The most important thing during any dive is to stay calm. Panicking underwater is never going to get you anywhere, and especially not during a shark dive. That’s why I would recommend only doing shark dives when you already have some experience underwater. Not because it’s extremely dangerous, but because you want to be comfortable underwater. You know your equipment, trust your own skills and don’t have to think about basic things like where your pressure gauge is, your breathing or buoyancy.

I remember well that I used to think that diving with sharks wouldn’t be for me at all. But the more dives I made and the more comfortable I became underwater, the greater the desire to see them in real life one day. And the funny thing is that during these dives you especially notice how calm these animals actually move.

The right equipment

During shark dives, it is often recommended to wear dark equipment. This is because sharks react strongly to contrasts, reflections and abnormal movements. Bright colors such as yellow and white can be especially noticeable underwater, especially when sunlight reflects on them. Therefore, many divers choose black or dark fins, a dark mask and a dark wetsuit during shark dives. By the way, this is especially true for dives where you are on your knees on the bottom and less so than where you are swimming in open water.

On some shark dives (especially where there is feeding) you also see divers wearing gloves and a hood so that as little skin as possible is visible. I myself have not participated in this type of diving, so I do not speak from personal experience in this. Moreover, the rules and procedures can vary greatly by location and operator.

I myself always dive with a lot of color: white fins, a pink, yellow or white mask, and my SMB and lamp are also pink. For the shark trip I made some adjustments in my equipment, as you can see in the pictures. The photos below were taken by Jaap Voets of h2olic.net.

Quiet behavior underwater

One of the most important parts of a successful shark dive is your own behavior. Try to move calmly and avoid quick arm or fin movements. Wild floundering or turning suddenly can attract extra attention.

In addition, always remain aware of your surroundings. Not out of fear, but because it is important to know where the sharks are. Good guides and safety divers constantly monitor this and actively guide the group. You often also turn with the sharks, so you always keep looking at them.

Understanding the behavior of sharks

Tiger sharks are curious animals. That does not automatically mean aggressive behavior. They often swim by quietly to observe their surroundings. It is important to always listen carefully to the briefing and follow instructions from the guide.

These are signals where guides become extra alert:

abrupt movements
rapid direction changes
pectoral fins pointing downward
a bulging back
restless swimming

Respect for animals

A shark dive is not an attraction, but a wildlife encounter. You are a guest in their habitat. Never touch sharks or try to provoke their behavior for a photo or video. It is precisely when you observe quietly that the most beautiful encounters often occur.

Many divers end up describing their first encounter with a tiger shark not as scary, but rather as impressive and kind of soothing. Personally, I think this is because you are so caught up in the moment itself, you are really present.

Diving with tiger sharks: exciting but unforgettable

Excitement beforehand is quite normal. Almost every diver feels it on a first shark dive. But often that excitement quickly turns into admiration once you see how calmly and elegantly these animals move through the water.

With proper preparation, experience and respect for the animals, dives with tiger sharks are undoubtedly among the most impressive experiences you can have underwater.

Also diving with tiger sharks?

Also excited about diving with tiger sharks? If so, there are a number of destinations worldwide known for encounters with these impressive sharks. The most famous spot is undoubtedly Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, where you can often see several tiger sharks at once in clear blue water. Also Fuvahmulah in the Maldives is also popular for its high probability of seeing tiger sharks year-round. In addition, tiger sharks are regularly spotted around Cocos Island Costa Rica and during shark dives in South Africa. Each destination has its own circumstances and type of dive, but one thing they have in common: an encounter with a tiger shark is something you will never forget.