How to spot the Bull shark when scuba diving
Carcharhinus leucas
Cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical coastal waters worldwide. Found in the Atlantic from Massachusetts to southern Brazil and from Morocco to Angola; throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean; in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Australia and Japan. Unique among sharks for their ability to tolerate freshwater, found in rivers like the Mississippi, Amazon, and Zambezi, and even in freshwater lakes.
Seasonal patterns vary by location. In Florida, peak encounters are November-April. Playa del Carmen, Mexico sees aggregations December-March. Fiji's famous shark dives run year-round with slight seasonal variations. Beqa Adventure Divers in Fiji offers consistent encounters.
Highly adaptable to water temperatures from 18-30°C (64-86°F). Unique among sharks in tolerating both saltwater and freshwater environments.
Found in murky, shallow coastal waters (1-30m), estuaries, river mouths, and occasionally deep into freshwater systems. Popular, relatively reliable viewing sites include Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Beqa Lagoon (Fiji), Protea Banks (South Africa), and Jupiter (Florida). Most encounters occur during structured shark diving experiences with professional operators using bait or chum. These are powerful predators requiring respect and adherence to safety protocols. Never dive with them without experienced guides who understand their behavior.
Worldwide observation of the Bull shark
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Data sources
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons
- Distribution and specie data: GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
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