Diving with Thresher Sharks
Sharks with a Weapon Tail
The thresher shark has a very unusual body shape, making it easy to distinguish from other sharks. Its caudal fin is exceptionally large with a strong tail root. The upper part of the caudal fin can grow to be as long as the entire length of the shark’s body. They use this powerful fin as a weapon when hunting, using the elongated tail to hit smaller fish and stun them before eating. Experiencing this unique hunting method live is like nothing you’ve seen before while scuba diving.
Thresher sharks are also known as one of the few shark species to be able to breach out of the water. They have been reported to be seen not only jumping fully out of the water but also twisting their bodies like dolphins. You can find them in tropical and subtropical regions both near the coast and in the open ocean. Although they can dive up to 500 meters, they prefer staying in the upper water column. While diving with thresher sharks make sure you behave very calmly, as they are often shy and easily scared away. However, if they have the chance to get used to the presence of humans, they will come a little closer. Click here to find the best places to dive with thresher sharks, one of the most beautiful sharks in the sea.
Dive Sites with this Animal View more on map
★★★★☆ Monad Shoal
Monad Shoal is considered the best dive site in the world to see the rare and timid Thresher Sharks. These sharks normally live in the deep but regularly come here early in the morning for the cleaning station.
★★★★☆ Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida
Located on the west-side of Nusa Penida Island, Crystal Bay has two coral reef formations separated by sand slopes. The combination of slopes and walls that form the topography at this dive site goes down to more than 50 meters and meets with large rock which is an ideal place for a cleaning station for sunfish.
★★★★★ Kimud Shoal
After the tresher sharks disappeared from Monad Shoal for unknown reasons and moved to the Kimud Shoal, this is now one of the best dive sites in the world to see the rare and elusive tresher sharks. These sharks normally live in the deep but regularly come here for the cleaning stations at shallower depths.
★★★★☆ Daedalus Reef
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.
★★★★☆ Big Brother
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.
★★★★☆ Big Brother East
Brothers Island, or El Akhawen, is a “must dive“ for every diver that visits Egypt. This dive site can be reached only via liveaboard boats. The location contains two islands, the small and the big island. This is a more advanced dive as it can have strong currents and deep drop-offs with lots of shark sightings.