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Great Hammerhead Shark

The muzzle of the great hammerhead shark is probably the most recognizable of all species as its entire body shape clearly resembles a hammer. Their heads are very unique in that its width is about 25% of the entire length of the shark. The specialized shape of their snout helps them to hunt, as it is home to electro receptors. This amazing sensory organ allows them to find prey along the seafloor like stingrays, octopus, smaller sharks, and squid. The shape of their head also helps them hold their prey with their snout while eating. It is impressive to experience these extraordinary animals underwater and get to admire their specialized physique. The best chance to dive with hammerhead sharks is in tropical and subtropical coastal areas.

© AdobeStock/G Russel Childress

Dive sites with this animal

Peter S. (#417559)

Roca Partida (★4.7)

Roca Partida may seem like it is out in the middle of nowhere, sitting approximately 70 miles west of Socorro and 85 miles from San Benedicto, but it is thriving with life. Accessible only by liveaboard, this is an advanced dive on a pinnacle that rises from hundreds of feet of water.
SOUTH WEST ROCKS DIVE CENTRE, 2431 SOUTH WEST ROCKS

Fish Rock Cave (★4.4)

Fish Rock Cave is the only true ocean cave dive in Australia, running 125 meters right through Fish Rock. Fish Rock is in the path of the EAC (East Australian Current) which usually floods the site with warm clear water, bringing a huge variety of temperate and tropical marine species.
SSI Service Center Egypt, 84517 Hurghada

Elphinstone Reef (★4.4)

This is one of the most famous dive site in Egypt. The Elphinstone Reef is full of healthy corals, magnificent clear blue water, and rich marine life. It is also a great destination to see your first shark.
SSI Service Center Japan, 101-0051 Chiyoda-ku

Budaine (★4.3)

There are a number of diving spots around Kamikimoto Island, an uninhabited island off the coast of Shimoda. It is a 20-minute boat ride from the harbor to the dive site. It is a popular spot for hammerhead sharks to appear from summer to autumn when the Kuroshio Current approaches the Izu Peninsula.
THE SIX PASSENGERS, 98775 AVATORU - RANGIROA

Passe de Tiputa (★4.6)

The Tiputa pass originally known as the Hiria pass. It separates Avatoru from the village of Tiputa on Rangiroa atoll. With a length of 900 m and a width of 400 m, it is between 14 and 55 m deep. The currents can be very strong and changeable. The presence of a local guide is therefore recommended.
Peter S. (#417559)

Daedalus Reef (★4.3)

Deadalus Reef can only be reached by Liveaboard boats and is one of the top dive sites on most diver’s wish list. A stand alone 400m long reef approx. 80km away from Marsa Alam, this spectacular reef is difficult to miss as it even has its own lighthouse.
THE SIX PASSENGERS, 98775 AVATORU - RANGIROA

Eolienne (★4.5)

This site is the most intact coral area of Tiputa. Coral plateau between 10 and 14 meters followed by a steep drop off. Starting point of a drift dive that ends at the Angle site or in the pass. Perfectly adapted to divers of all levels.
Eagle Divers, Sharm El- Sheikh

Woodhouse Reef (★4.4)

Fun drift dive from the boat, Woodhouse is the longest of the 4 main reefs in the Straits of Tiran. Currents can be strong. There is a split in the middle of the reef and care needs to be taken towards the end of the reef where a washing machine effect can sometimes be present. The reef is fabulously colorful!
Hans E. (#3545391)

Big Brother (★4.3)

Offshore Island with stunning reef walls all around it. Potentially very strong currents which can change throughout the dive so be aware of this. Drift diving and deep diving experience is essential. Make sure you also have an SMB on every dive.
Tim V. (#4208131)

Kicker Rock / Léon Dormido, San Cristobal, Galapagos (★4.5)

León Dormido, a gigantic rock formation rising out of the ocean, is a “sleeping lion.” The remains of a lava cone split in two, it is also known as “Kicker Rock.” Located off the coast of the island of San Cristóbal.
Diving Lounge aqua QUEST, 1700002 Toshima-ku,

Kamene (★4.1)

This dive site, situated at the southernmost tip of Mikomoto Island, is renowned as the prime location for encountering hammerhead sharks and white-tip reef sharks. It stands out as the foremost spot for such encounters.
TIKEHAU PLONGEE, 98778 TIKEHAU

Teonai (★4.7)

Start the dive on the reef, descent along the oceanic drop-off, to arrive on a plateau at 20m. Explore the plateau and dive back to the channel to return to the boat.(depth 6 to 50 meters). Very pretty reef, school of fish of all kinds.
Maahid M. (#4104678)

Foah Malé (★4.4)

It is a dive for advanced divers with multiple logged dives and experience in deep diving, as you will be spending a lot of time in the blue water hanging at around 30m. The dive is in the middle of the ocean though you may start from the reef. High boat traffic. DSMB is a must.
Juliet Sailing and Diving, 33131 Miami

Bimini Barge (Wreck) (★4.3)

This is a deep wreck off Bimini, in the Bahamas, on the edge of a drop-off. It attracts many pelagics and schools of permit and African Pompano. Prone to current and depths start at 76’ (23m) so advanced certification is recommended.
Lake Hickory Scuba, Inc., 28681 Taylorsville

Georgia Aquarium (★4.9)

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the most renowned aquariums in the United States located in Atlanta, Georgia. This aquarium displays hundreds of different animal species amongst seven themed galleries.
Luca M. (#3528019)

Elphinstone North (★4.3)

Located 30km from Marsa Alam, Elphinstone North is one of the main dive sites in this area with lots of sharks and some of the most healthy coral reefs in the region. It is a 90 minute boat ride to reach, however definitely worth the trip!
Morecambe Area Divers Ltd, LA3 3PB Morecambe

Jackson Reef (★4.5)

One of the best dive sites in the world. Can be done as a drift or mooring dive. Wonderful coral garden with soft and hard corals. Sometimes challenging currents on the “corners“. Backside of the reef known for hammerhead sharks in July to October.
Garrett H. (#3116533)

Tiger Beach (★4.8)

If you came to the Bahamas to see tiger sharks then this is the place to do it. The small, shallow sand flat is about an hour by boat from the West End of Grand Bahama Island. Tiger sharks are best found here outside of the summer months with July/August being the worst time to encounter them.
iStock-mantaphoto

Gordon Rocks, Galapagos (★4.5)

Near to the Santa Cruz Island and also known as the “washing machine”, you find the Gordon Rocks. Due to currents and upwellings, this dive site is suitable for advanced divers. On this site you will see hammerhead sharks and the famous oceanic sunfish (mola mola).
Juliet Sailing and Diving, 33131 Miami

Lewda (★4.4)

AKA Kinks, low profile coral over white sand, 45-50’. Multiple old anchors can be found, site is bounded by large concrete cubes. Can be prone to current, not much protection. Former site of Lerner Marine Lab acoustic studies on fishlife; cables can still be seen laying across reef.
Juliet Sailing and Diving, 33131 Miami

Hammerhead Site (★4.9)

Sandy bottom outside Bimini harbor where Hammerhead shark dive is set up. No features on site itself, site location changes slightly based on tides, visibility, and boat traffic.
Tauchsportzentrum Niederrhein, 46562 Voerde

Alcyone, Cocos Island (★4.4)

Alcyone is an underwater mountain off Cocos Island. Strong to very strong current is always possible. Descent on the rope. There is a maximum depth of 30 meters. Great dive experience required! This is a great dive site that is always worth it as everything is possible here!
Sub Oceanic at Hilton Maldives Amingiri, 20188 North Male Atoll

Shark Point (★4.6)

Shark Point is located 45 minutes north west of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. The dive site promises a pleasant drift dive in depths from 10 to 30 meters along a pretty faru (long reef) close to Rasfari Corner.
Tim A. (#4772619)

Madi Miyaru Kanmathi (★4.6)

5 min from Hulhumale Jetty, an extensive reef. It’s a steep slope starting at 3-5m down to 25m, and then where it has a sandy bottom at 30m+. the further you got away from the the reef the deeper it gets. This dive site normally doesn’t have current. Please use an SMB when ascending as there is alot of boat traffic.
Mares

Oceanics Sharks Secret point (★4.6)

This dive involves feeding at a depth of approximately 24 meters to attract pelagic sharks (tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, spinner sharks, guitarfish, rays, etc.). The dive follows the artificial breakwater wall in the Hulumale lagoon, with divers sitting in a semicircle. Discovered in October 2020.