Desperately seeking sharks

[InTheDrink]

Hi,

I missed out on my shark fix this year by choosing the wrong liveabord, tantalisingly close to the right location but no cigar.

So I'm looking to do another trip, November of December this year to hopefully get to dive with sharks again.

I'm looking for tips on where to go.

I can't go too remote (from UK) because I'm nearly out of vacation (I've ten days left for the year) so Cocos or Galapagos is out. Likewise Socorro (although that's also booked out - would probably have made an exception otherwise).

The Brothers (red sea) is a consideration but we had no luck in St John's in May so my buddy isn't so keen. Although I kind of am as diving with Longimanus is sooooooooo much fun.

So, anyone any thoughts about where to go with a strong chance of diving with 'curious' sharks like longimanus, silkies, bulls, tigers, etc.??? I did consider the Bahamas but I'm less keen on feeding or chummed dives, I prefer to come across them naturally.

South Africa or Mozambique would be doable in terms of travel but not sure whether it's a good time of year for sharks there.

Maldives is feasible again in terms of travel, but not so much in the way of sharks there (apart from reef/grey).

So if anyone has any ideas/thoughts on where to consider I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,
John

 

[Doubler]

Try Andros Island. Got Silkies, Tigers, Hammers. Stay at the Small Hope Bay Inn and tell them you want to do sharks they'll get you sharks, no chumming.

 

[InTheDrink]

Try Andros Island. Got Silkies, Tigers, Hammers. Stay at the Small Hope Bay Inn and tell them you want to do sharks they'll get you sharks, no chumming.

Nice one Doubler - I'm investigating this option with relish. How's the season - is Nov/Dec good there?

Thanks again for your tip, sounds awesome!

J

 

[Jupiter31]

You guys in the UK get the best deals in the world on travel!

Re the Bahamas, just remember that the closer to winter you get, the better the chance of rough seas, as they are effected by strong cold fronts - just something to be aware.

Good friend of mine went to Small Hope Bay recently and loved it, although she said there was one spot in particular for the shark diving - its the ocean; its the Bahamas, but I did not get the impression it was lots of "sharks on every dive" kind of place. I could be wrong.

I dove Andros 20 years ago; nice but I did not return - nor did I stay at SHB - shoot them an e mail and get more info before you book.

 

[diversteve]

JASA has space on two trips to Tiger Beach in December. But they chum. The diving is with Tigers/Lemons. Bahamas Diving Itineraries:: Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures

 

[lulubelle]

NC is probably not where you want to be in November/December, too cold for me, but come dive here some time in the summer to enjoy plenty of Sharks Au Naturel.

Our conditions aren't for everyone, but on my last couple of dives, we dropped in relatively poor visibility (15-20 feet) and still counted 30 plus Sand Tigers and descended right into them. We also see an occasional Tiger, Bull, Sand Bar, etc.

I'm happy to learn about some other destinations for sharks. I am not interested in chum dives.

 

[drrich2]

It might not be considered coming across them naturally, but I wonder how many people who strongly desire to see sharks take up spear fishing?

I ask because from what I've seen posted on the forum, it seems spear fishing brings out sharks to divers who previously hadn't seen them. It's not something I want to do. I'm just thinking that if I wanted to see sharks really bad, and I didn't have good travel options to go to the prime sites to do it, this is something that might work.

Then again, it's sort of like chumming yourself...

Richard.