Galapagos
Schooling sharks and big animals
- Sharksscalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks
- Alsowhale sharks, silky sharks
- Best timeJune to November
- LevelAdvanced, current
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Shark diving liveaboard trips
Sharks are the reason many divers step onto a liveaboard. A boat reaches the offshore reefs, seamounts and remote islands where sharks gather in numbers no day boat can reach. Compare shark diving liveaboards below by destination, season and price, cheapest first.
Best destinations for shark diving
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Red Sea (offshore)
Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- Sharksoceanic whitetips, hammerheads
- Alsogrey reef, thresher sharks
- Best timelate summer and autumn
- LevelAdvanced, blue water
Bahamas
Tiger Beach and beyond
- Sharkstiger sharks, great hammerheads
- AlsoCaribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks
- Best timeNovember to March
- Levelmost certified divers
Maldives
Channels and cleaning stations
- Sharksgrey reef, whitetip, nurse sharks
- Alsotiger sharks in the deep south
- Best timeyear round by atoll
- LevelOpen Water and up, current
When is the best time for shark diving?
- Red Sea offshore reefs: sharks peak in late summer and autumn, with oceanic whitetips best in October and November.
- Galapagos: hammerhead and whale shark season runs from about June to November.
- Bahamas: tiger sharks and great hammerheads at Tiger Beach are best from about November to March.
- Maldives: reef sharks year round, with the best atoll depending on the monsoon.
Who it suits and dive level
Many of the best shark dives are deep, offshore or in current, so operators often ask for Advanced Open Water and a number of logged dives. Reef shark encounters in the Maldives and shallower Bahamas dives suit most certified divers. On DiveScanner you can set your certification and logged dives, so you only see shark trips that match your experience, cheapest first.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best shark diving on a liveaboard?
The Galapagos for schooling hammerheads and whale sharks, the offshore Red Sea for oceanic whitetips and hammerheads, and the Bahamas for tiger sharks and great hammerheads.
When is the best time for shark diving?
It depends on the destination. Red Sea sharks peak in late summer and autumn, Galapagos hammerheads from June to November, and Bahamas tiger sharks from about November to March.
Do I need experience to dive with sharks?
Many shark sites are deep, offshore or in current, so operators often ask for Advanced Open Water and logged dives. Filter by your level so you only see suitable trips.
Is shark diving safe?
Yes, with a reputable operator and by diving within your training. Follow the guide's briefing and dive plan.
Read more and compare
Go deeper with our guides to where to dive with hammerheads, where to dive with tiger sharks and the best shark liveaboard destinations.