How to spot the Great White Shark when scuba diving
Carcharodon carcharias
Distributed worldwide in temperate and subtropical coastal and offshore waters. Major concentrations are found near the US (California, Northeast), South Africa, Australia (South), New Zealand, Japan, Chile, and the Mediterranean.
Encounters are often seasonal, coinciding with seal breeding seasons or migrations. Key locations include South Australia (May-Oct), South Africa (June-Sep recommended for visibility), and historically Guadalupe, Mexico (July-Nov - Note: Guadalupe operations were suspended indefinitely in 2022). Sightings are possible year-round in some areas but peak seasons offer higher probability.
They tolerate a range, roughly 12-24°C (54-75°F), depending on the region and season.
Encounters for divers are almost exclusively via cage diving operations in specific known aggregation zones, often near seal or sea lion colonies (e.g., Neptune Islands, SA; Gansbaai, ZA).
Worldwide observation of the Great White Shark
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Data sources
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons
- Distribution and specie data: GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
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