How to spot the Hammerhead shark when scuba diving
Sphyrnidae
Various species are found in tropical and warm temperate coastal seas and offshore waters worldwide (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific). Scalloped Hammerheads, often seen in schools, have a global distribution in these zones.
Large schools often aggregate seasonally. Peak times include the cold/upwelling season in Galapagos (approx. June-Nov), summer/fall in Mikomoto, Japan (July-Oct), and specific periods in places like the Bahamas or Cocos Island.
Varies greatly by location and season (e.g., cooler 16-24°C/60-75°F during Galapagos aggregation vs. warmer elsewhere).
Famous for aggregating around remote oceanic islands and seamounts with currents (e.g., Wolf & Darwin in Galapagos, Cocos Island, Malpelo) or specific coastal sites (e.g., Mikomoto, Japan; Layang Layang, Malaysia; Bimini, Bahamas). Often seen in deeper water or cruising along reef walls, sometimes early morning.
Worldwide observation of the Sphyrnidae
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Data sources
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons
- Distribution and specie data: GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
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