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[wakingdream]

I've always been fascinated, if not a bit scared (!!) of sharks. They're so graceful and mysterious, and still a species we know little about comparatively.

This article in NG describes why the Bahamas is still a haven for a large shark population, especially at a place called Tiger Beach.

Eden For Sharks


More than 40 other species cruise Bahamian waters, including lemons, great hammerheads, bulls, blacktips, makos, silkies, nurses; even migrating blues and massive whale sharks pass through. Others live here year-round, giving birth in the same quiet lagoons where they were born. And fishermen continue to curse the marauders that gut their quarry, leaving nothing to reel in but lips and gills.

The name Bahamas comes from the Spanish, Baja Mar, for "shallow seas." The archipelago rests atop a pair of limestone platforms, the Great and Little Bahama Banks, divided by channels that plunge as deep as 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). It's this combination of sheer drops and shallows, of rocky ledges and sandy shores, of coral reefs, grass flats, mangroves, and quiet lagoons, that nurtures life of all sizes. Clean Atlantic waters and a warm current from the Gulf blend to create a seafood feast that draws sharks from near and far. For now, this clean blue place is their Eden.

Has anyone been? Has anyone ever been diving with sharks??

[bakasyonista]

We took a snorkeling trip with Stuart Cove in the Bahamas. The highlight of the trip was feeding the sharks. Here's my blog about the trip with pictures:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...51700/tpod.html

[huckabmm]

I've been diving in the Florida Keys and we saw a few sharks, a few up close, but most from a distance...

Another time I was snorkeling around a wreck in the Keys and was diving down to get closer to the ship and three sharks swam out from inside it. They came pretty close to me, but luckily they just swam lazily away. It still got the blood pumping though! But you know what? I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[darrenstravels]

Have seen Sharks in both the states and Australia whilst diving/snorkeling, which was very cool indeed. Haven't intentionally dived with Sharks though.

Also found a small shark washed ashore in South Carolina.

[wakingdream]

On Koh Rok in Thailand we'd take loads of walks along the shore. The water along the shoreline was pretty shallow a ways out and, when walking in the water, there'd be a ton of baby sharks jetting all around. That was pretty cool to see. They're fast little suckers! Plus, not so disconcerting to be around when they're smaller! Not sure what kind of sharks they were.....?

Also found a small shark washed ashore in South Carolina.

Could you tell why it was dead?

[starfish]

I've been snorkelling at Shark Ray Alley, off Caye Caulker in Belize. Nurse sharks and stingrays are the most common species, and both are fairly* harmless so it is safe to snorkel there. The rays are massive, over 5ft in diameter, and very curious and friendly. the nurse sharks are also pretty big, but dark brown in colour and they hug the bottom so they dont feel scary to be around. On one trip I was checked out closely by a small reef shark, and the sight of it, shiny, silver, pointed, gave me the biggest scaredy-jump reaction that I've ever felt. It was just like a natural reaction to a primal fear. (* I say fairly, as all wild animals can react unreadictably, and those with big teeth and poisonous spines are able to cause more damage than those without.)

You wouldn't want to hang around on the surface of the water somewhere like Tiger Beach, so diving would be the only option there.