Hammerheads in April?

[shocked]

Hey all,

Where would be the closest place to the USA that I would be sure (as sure as is possible) to see Hammerheads in April? I know Galapagos and cocos are suppose to.. but I am also looking for as reasonably warm water as possible. My wife is cold in 82 degree water....

Any suggestions? We can travel anywhere, but whatever is closest in April would be preferred.

Thanks

 

[outofofficebrb]

Hi, @shocked. You can try to shoot for Great Hammerheads in Bahamas (Bimini comes to mind). They used to be there regularly in April but the season has been getting shorter there and they haven't reliably been there at that time of the year so if you want to have a higher chance of catching them, March is safest. These are baited dives, so it's a very different experience from Cocos or Galapagos. This came straight from Sean who is the feeder for Neal Watson and Vital who is with the Bimini Shark Lab.

If your wife wants warmer water, it's a ways to travel, but Banda Sea in Indonesia is another place you can see them but it won't be in April...September-November, with October being a better bet than September.

 

[shocked]

Thank you. I was thinking Bahamas as well.. I mean, worst case we dive and don't see hammerheads I guess.

Have you dove Bimini?

 

[outofofficebrb]

Thank you. I was thinking Bahamas as well.. I mean, worst case we dive and don't see hammerheads I guess.

Have you dove Bimini?

Yes, I dove Bimini. We did some local diving as well as the Great Hammerhead dives. The local diving is okay - nothing to write home about but here's my disclaimer......I say that about everything when compared to Indonesia/Southeast Asia. It's still nice and fun to be in the water for a dive either way! I highly recommend that you stay at Bimini Big Game Club. You just have to saunter a couple hundred yards to the dive shop. I have a few qualms about Neal Watson's shop but if you're an experienced diver and want Great Hammerheads, you should do it with them. Don't miss Radio Beach and the fried food shack - you'll want at least a full day of beach bumming there. Coconut Brian might also be there for some fresh coconut and some with adult beverage additions. It's one of the most beautiful beaches I have had the privilege of visiting. White sand, turquoise water...The bonus is that it's very quiet! Here's a shot of the beach below.

 

[scubadada]

I would guess the water temp in the Bahamas in April would be somewhere in the mid-70s?

 

[shocked]

@

Yes, I dove Bimini. We did some local diving as well as the Great Hammerhead dives. The local diving is okay - nothing to write home about but here's my disclaimer......I say that about everything when compared to Indonesia/Southeast Asia. It's still nice and fun to be in the water for a dive either way! I highly recommend that you stay at Bimini Big Game Club. You just have to saunter a couple hundred yards to the dive shop. I have a few qualms about Neal Watson's shop but if you're an experienced diver and want Great Hammerheads, you should do it with them. Don't miss Radio Beach and the fried food shack - you'll want at least a full day of beach bumming there. Coconut Brian might also be there for some fresh coconut and some with adult beverage additions. It's one of the most beautiful beaches I have had the privilege of visiting. White sand, turquoise water...The bonus is that it's very quiet! Here's a shot of the beach below.

View attachment 443568

Yes, I understand completely. We dove Raja in November and have done a decent amount of diving in Asia/Indonesia. Unfortunately, we only really can get over there once a year and won't be going back until October/Nov. For whatever reason we have never seen hammerheads over there..

Thank you for the tips on Bimini, will check it out.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I would guess the water temp in the Bahamas in April would be somewhere in the mid-70s?

It ranged from mid 70's to low 80's in mid to late March. I wore a hooded vest over my 5mm for the Great Hammerhead dives. You're pretty much just sitting at the bottom for a couple of hours doing nothing so it tends to feel a bit chillier.

 

[outofofficebrb]

@
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/members/outofofficebrb.474074/
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/members/outofofficebrb.474074/

Yes, I understand completely. We dove Raja in November and have done a decent amount of diving in Asia/Indonesia. Unfortunately, we only really can get over there once a year and won't be going back until October/Nov. For whatever reason we have never seen hammerheads over there..

Thank you for the tips on Bimini, will check it out.

The hammerhead schools aren't usually in Raja Ampat but in Banda Sea...I hope to see it one day!

 

[mcohen1021]

March/April - go to the texas flower gardens - you'll see them and mantas too

 

[shocked]

March/April - go to the texas flower gardens - you'll see them and mantas too

Interesting, I was unaware of this location. Any dive operations you suggest?

Thank you