Best Places to Swim with Sharks in the Caribbean

In honor of Shark Week, we’re taking a (quick) break from binge-watching the Discovery Channel to check out the best places to swim with the ocean’s most notorious sea creatures. Since we love the blue waters of the Caribbean, we’re starting there.

BAHAMAS

Let’s start with one of the most popular dive destinations, the Bahamas. No matter what time of year you visit, the weather conditions are always ideal. There are more than 700 islands, both uninhabited and packed with resorts.

The Bahamas is a dreamy place to visit and its waters cater to both beginner and expert divers. Even diving in just 20-feet of water could mean you’re surrounded by lemon and tiger sharks. You can choose your own kind of adventure with so many ways to experience these underwater hunters firsthand. You can go cage diving for the ultimate thrill of being near bull sharks or for a mix of adventure and exploration, opt to see sharks within a shipwreck.

BIMINI, BAHAMAS

Reach this western Bahamas district in just two hours by taking the ferry from Miami, Florida. There are three islands: North, South, and East Bimini with the North island having the most dive operators.

From December to April, you can get close to bull and hammerhead sharks. You can watch them in action as a shark wrangler will hand-feed these sharks, giving you the opportunity to see them up close. If you’re lucky, you might even see a nurse shark as an added bonus.

TIGER BEACH ON GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND

Tiger Beach is known as one of the world’s best shark diving destinations. It’s an incredibly reliable spot to encounter sharks of all sorts – including tiger sharks, hammerheads, lemon, and nurse sharks. The spot has very shallow waters and pure white sands, creating the perfect backdrop for your shark photography.

ROATAN ISLAND, HONDURAS

This island, with its clear waters, is great for shark sightings. Marine life is visible up to 65 feet, allowing you to take your time exploring. If you aren’t seeing much action, Cara Cara is only 15 minutes away. There is an abundance of reef sharks for your viewing pleasure.

You can also watch the sharks feed by descending 70 feet to a flat plateau. As a memento, the dive operators will capture video of this memorable moment for you to show your friends and family back home.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

If you want to make the most of your time diving, Turks and Caicos is where to go. There’s a 14-mile barrier reef on Provo, along with a 2,134 meter underwater wall.

Pretty much every dive comes with a reef shark sighting guarantee, as there’s plenty of them. Hammerheads, on the other hand, are few and far between but it’s still possible you’ll see one or two.

To get your fix of a variety of marine life, head to French Cay, which is about 18 miles from West Caicos. It’s a very small island, but it makes up for it by being home to stingrays, turtles, and lots of sharks. In fact, it’s one of the best places for shark sightings as the island has a good track record for it.

REMEMBER, SAFETY FIRST

As much as you want to dive into any ocean full of sharks, remember safety comes first. Swimming with sharks can be a wonderful experience but can also turn dangerous if you don’t know remember your basic training. Check out these shark safety tips so you’re prepared.

GET YOUR SHARK WEEK FIX

Ready to celebrate Shark Week the right way? There’s nothing more exciting than booking a shark diving trip to one of these islands in the Caribbean.