cropped-50greatDivesc.jpg

L01_Raine_Island_Logo

Final (2)

DAN Slider (500x250) - 50 Great Dives

DAN World Travelling to Dive Webtile (500x250) - Slider 2

ocean-wide-images-480x240

3Islands-Banner-500x250px

globalballooning_slider2024

Final

ApolloScubalogo

AUP 50 DIVES

50GDC_500x250px 2

ScubaBoSlider

Adrenalin_slider1

50GDC_500x250px 1

CapeByronSlider

AllwaysARTWORK 500x250 (1)

OP Sports - AUP 50 DIVES - 1

Tusa

DiveDarwin300

PerthScuba_Banner (1)

HeronIsland_Vert_GBR_POS

L&S

YongalaDive

Divers Den

SHARK ENCOUNTERS

Great whites, grey nurse and whale shark are not the only great shark encounters!

GALAPAGOS SHARKS
Lord Howe Island, NSW

Originally described from the Galapagos Islands, these bold and inquisitive sharks are very common around Lord Howe Island, where juveniles are often seen in the lagoon.

Similar to bronze whalers, these large sharks have a slender streamlined body, large first dorsal and pectoral fins, and can grow to 3.7 metres (12’).

Dive Lord Howe offers a unique experience where you can swim with these inspiring creatures safely under the guidance of their trained guides.

This “Shark Encounter” is a truly unforgettable experience and should be on everyone’s bucket list, along with Balls Pyramid, for an awesome Lord Howe Island holiday.

SPECIES DETAILS
Scientific name:
Carcharhinus galapagensis
Habitat:                                 
Oceanic islands & seamounts, worldwide
Population:
Unknown, no data
Conservation status:
Least Concern (Population decreasing)
Australian distribution:
Commonly found at Lord Howe Island, Elizabeth Reef, Middleton Reef and Norfolk Island, with only very rare sightings elsewhere

LEOPARD SHARKS
North Stradbroke Island, Queensland

Australian leopard sharks, also known as zebra sharks, grow to a length of 2.5 metres (8.2’) and are quite harmless to divers.

Juvenile leopard sharks are striped and adults are spotted.

They form aggregations in Australia over the summer months, typically, October to May, along the east and west coast of Australia.

The world’s largest aggregation site of leopard sharks is on North Stradbroke Island in southern Queensland at Manta Bommie.

Leopard sharks are nocturnal and easily spotted by divers as they spend their day on the sandy bottom.

Large aggregations are also found at Julian Rocks, northern NSW, over the warmer summer months.

Interactions with leopard sharks are seasonal, please check with the local dive services provider.

SPECIES DETAILS
Scientific name:
Stegostoma fasciatum
Habitat:                                 
Tropical coastal water bottom dwellers, typically coral reefs, rubble & sand
Population:
Unknown but stable in Australia
Conservation status:
Least concern in Australia, endangered elsewhere
Australian distribution:
NSW, QLD & WA

GREY REEF SHARK CLEANING STATION
Coral Bay, WA

Similar in appearance to Galapagos sharks, grey reef sharks have a black caudal fin margin and can be quite a large fish, reaching 2.55 metres (8.5‘) in length.

Grey reef sharks are social creatures and are often be found in groups of 5-20 near their home range of a coral reef.

Often seen cruising gracefully along Ningaloo Reef, they not usually a threat to divers and be safely viewed at a distance.

Their visits to a cleaning station, where smaller fish meticulously clean their teeth and gills while the sharks remain motionless, provides a thrilling encounter with these iconic reef predators.

Cleaning stations are a fascinating natural behaviour highlighting the reef’s incredible balance and biodiversity.

SPECIES DETAILS
Scientific name:
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Habitat:                                 
Coral reefs
Population:
Unknown, decreasing
Conservation status:
Near Threatened
Australian distribution:
Tropical waters, both the east & west coasts of Australia

NORTH HORN SHARK FEED
Osprey Reef, Far North Queensland

“You haven’t dived until you have done a shark feed!”

This adrenalin-charged action takes place in a natural amphitheatre once participating divers are securely stationed with their backs to the amphitheatre wall in around 12-15 metres (40-50’).

When the food is released, the ensuing shark feeding frenzy is also joined by large potato cod, moray eels and other fish species, all violently fighting for their share.

The power generated by these predators as they hustle each other for a bite can be felt many metres away.

A word of warning – Make sure you monitor your air very carefully; you will be surprised what a rush of adrenalin can do to your air consumption!

Note: Safety is paramount! Shark feed dives are conducted under strict Queensland Government guidelines.

North Horn Shark Feed is one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE

Special thanks to Spirit of Freedom, Dive Lord Howe, Manta Lodge & Ningaloo Reef Dive. Team.                        
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair

DIVE DETAILS 
Check with local dive services provider.

2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.

DIVE SERVICES

DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES