what should i do if
- Thread starter pyithar
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My Fav shark story is seeing a hammer head off of Nags Head, NC. We were wreck diving and he circled us for the entire dive. He would fade into the gloom and then reappear some place else.
I also had the same thing off the wall in Grand Cayman. Not sure what kind of shark but it was big.
I also had the same thing off the wall in Grand Cayman. Not sure what kind of shark but it was big.
what should i do if
Okay my turn:
I grew up in south Florida and spent lots of weekends lobstering in the keys.
A buddy of mine and I were lobstering. He just managed to get one out of his hiding spot and I immediately submerged to go net him (we free dive). As I got him in the net and started to pull him out to put in my bag I noticed a BIG shadow. Turned out to be a hammerhead. My estimation is that he was about 10' which is big in real life
. We stayed calm, and we slowly made our way back to the boat. We didn't want to leave because the reef was filled with lobster. So we relaxed for an hour. We went back in and proceeded to get more lobster. After about 20 minutes he showed up again. He didn't even seem to notice us so we went about our business. Seems he was just cruising around. He didn't eye our bags or anything. It was a really cool experience to be near an animal that big.
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Okay my turn:
I grew up in south Florida and spent lots of weekends lobstering in the keys.
A buddy of mine and I were lobstering. He just managed to get one out of his hiding spot and I immediately submerged to go net him (we free dive). As I got him in the net and started to pull him out to put in my bag I noticed a BIG shadow. Turned out to be a hammerhead. My estimation is that he was about 10' which is big in real life
. We stayed calm, and we slowly made our way back to the boat. We didn't want to leave because the reef was filled with lobster. So we relaxed for an hour. We went back in and proceeded to get more lobster. After about 20 minutes he showed up again. He didn't even seem to notice us so we went about our business. Seems he was just cruising around. He didn't eye our bags or anything. It was a really cool experience to be near an animal that big. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
hogfanreefer
Active member
We see nurse sharks up close so often I don't really think of them as sharks any more.
This video was in Hol Chan Park in Belize. Fast forward to about 1:14, I think I counted 13 nurse sharks that swam right under me.
These pics were away from the park but these nurse sharks were also pretty unafraid of us.
This video was in Hol Chan Park in Belize. Fast forward to about 1:14, I think I counted 13 nurse sharks that swam right under me.
These pics were away from the park but these nurse sharks were also pretty unafraid of us.
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G_Sanab922
New member
Very nice pics and video.
G_Sanab922
New member
+1
Oceanic white tips are also deep water I believe.
Thing about this is that when I go spearfishing I don't use a stringer. If I'm too far from the boat I just put the fish in my pants and go :ape:
Yea the gulf has a bit more sharks, not surprised if they see bulls.
Not sure how those guys spear but when I see a shark I pretty much move spots because all the fish in the area just go in to hiding most of the time. Even while regular fishing, if we notice the shark breaking the lines then we move.
Yup. There are two types of white tip sharks. The oceanic reef shark which, is in fact a deep water shark and very dangerous. There is also a white tip reef shark which is according to its name a feed shark and not dangerous. Usually grows to about 5 feet.
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Same family, different species.
The oceanic whitetip is a shark not to be messed with. They are deep water sharks that are know for attacking people (shipwreck and plan crash survivors). and can grow up to about 14 feet.
The whitetip reef shark is relatively docile and lives on the reefs and can grow up to 5 or 6 feet.
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PatW
New member
I have seen nurse sharks. Even very large nurse sharks are pretty timid. I have also see reef sharks. It is hard to get very close to a reef shark. They will take off. I have seen one bull shark.
Think about it though. I am 6' tall. With fins, I am 8' or 9'. Then I have the BC which makes me look bigger. I also have a metal tank and I am blowing bubbles. I am not something that looks like normal prey. Plus, I am way too big for most sharks to fool with.
I would think that only a large shark of one of the very aggressive species would have the potential for going for a diver. I have never seen a verified account of a diver being attacked by a shark...... That does not count spear fisherman with yummy bleeding fish.
I suppose it could happen but it is not on the list of the top ten ways you can die whilst diving.
Think about it though. I am 6' tall. With fins, I am 8' or 9'. Then I have the BC which makes me look bigger. I also have a metal tank and I am blowing bubbles. I am not something that looks like normal prey. Plus, I am way too big for most sharks to fool with.
I would think that only a large shark of one of the very aggressive species would have the potential for going for a diver. I have never seen a verified account of a diver being attacked by a shark...... That does not count spear fisherman with yummy bleeding fish.
I suppose it could happen but it is not on the list of the top ten ways you can die whilst diving.
I've been diving for about 5 years and I have seen nurse sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, reef sharks, hemmer heads, and lemon sharks (great whites next year in South Africa). 2 of the dives I have been on have been "Shark Dives".
I have never felt threatened or in danger. Sharks are largely a misunderstood creature.. this misunderstanding is heightened by Discovery Channel's "Shark Week".
I am not advocating to go out looking for sharks to swim with, but they are not the nasty animals they are made out to be. With that being said... don't trust a bull shark, oceanic white tip, or great white.
Attached are a few pics of lemon sharks. They come in large numbers off of West Palm Beach, FL during the winter months here.
I have never felt threatened or in danger. Sharks are largely a misunderstood creature.. this misunderstanding is heightened by Discovery Channel's "Shark Week".
I am not advocating to go out looking for sharks to swim with, but they are not the nasty animals they are made out to be. With that being said... don't trust a bull shark, oceanic white tip, or great white.
Attached are a few pics of lemon sharks. They come in large numbers off of West Palm Beach, FL during the winter months here.
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pyithar
New member
Thank you for sharing your experiences. very nice shark pics!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=951389851179&l=63e2985a74 Sharks for the most part don't even care about you, especially diving instead of snorkeling. Just don't be bleeding or flailing Also, good visibility water.
I've probably seen 1000+++ sharks on over 300 dives, almost all of which in the Indopacific, including many places you listed as wanting to go to.
I've been circled a number of times by large black tip reef sharks, but they were only being curious.
The only trouble I've ever heard anyone having was from someone who reached into an opening on a wreck, and startled a wobbegong shark, and told me he was bitten, though whether or not it was a true story, I don't know.
More than sharks, be prepared for some challenging diving. At Sipadan (Barracuda site), with a v. inexperienced guide (not even a dm), I got completely swept off the reef, and while flying the water for almost a km, I counted almost a hundred white tip reef sharks, a blessing considering not long before they'd been finning them on Mabul...
Many places I've gone to expressly to see sharks, I haven't seen any at all...
So, I hope you do, keep your wits about you, dive responsibly and with a buddy, and have fun!
I've been circled a number of times by large black tip reef sharks, but they were only being curious.
The only trouble I've ever heard anyone having was from someone who reached into an opening on a wreck, and startled a wobbegong shark, and told me he was bitten, though whether or not it was a true story, I don't know.
More than sharks, be prepared for some challenging diving. At Sipadan (Barracuda site), with a v. inexperienced guide (not even a dm), I got completely swept off the reef, and while flying the water for almost a km, I counted almost a hundred white tip reef sharks, a blessing considering not long before they'd been finning them on Mabul...
Many places I've gone to expressly to see sharks, I haven't seen any at all...
So, I hope you do, keep your wits about you, dive responsibly and with a buddy, and have fun!
Sorry to revive an old thread, I thought I'd share a little tip/trick- (towards the end) I agree with what everyone said, remain calm, keep extremities close to the body, if it's a worrisome species, don't turn your back on it. Tigers and oceanic white tips would make me the most nervous on dive in clear water, but I haven't been in the water with either, I have dove with black tips, Bulls, nurse and lemons. When spearing fish under piers with Hawaiian slings-Bulls are a concern, but in clear reef waters they are fine. Here is the tip- If you want to see sharks on a dive this is a nifty, non chum way to attract them, take a plastic water bottle that is ribbed, fill it 1/2 full with water and roll it between your palms, doing so puts out sound waves very similar to that of a fish in distress, you will know you are making the right sound when you notice yellow tail snapper and groupers taking an increased interest in you, have attracted sharks this way successfully numerous times, once the sharks come in to view, probably wise to stop making the noise.
Staying calm is key, but in clear water they are not too big of danger, beautiful, majestic animals
Staying calm is key, but in clear water they are not too big of danger, beautiful, majestic animals
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