Diving with Zebra Sharks

From Stripes to Spots

Zebra sharks are a nocturnal shark species belonging to the family of “carpet sharks” that prefer to lay sedentary along the ocean floor during daylight hours. This shark has a very distinctive body shape and coloration, trading the vertical stripes it has as a juvenile, giving its name, for dark spots set against pale skin as an adult. These graceful animals boast five distinct ridges longways down their bodies, ending in a uniquely long caudal fin. It is one of the more beautiful species and a favorite sighting amongst scuba divers.

Because he belongs to the small group of sharks that do not have to swim continuously to breath, it is often found resting in the sand under reef ridges facing the current so they can effectively pump water over their gills. They are found living on coral and rocky reefs in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. If diving with zebra sharks is on your bucket list, explore the map below to find the best dive sites in the world where they live.

Dive sites with this animal Show more on map

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male

★★★★★ Tri Mix

The top reef starts at 3m to 6m and fall as a wall down to 25/30m On this protected wall you will find a lot of small stuff but also bigger ones. The big ones are on the ground, in the small overhangs or in the mini cavern. nice and easy for all level

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male

★★★★★ Old Virgin

This wall is for all kind of divers, easy and protected but nice. The reef falls from 5 to 25m and we have to look in the small overhangs.In the right month (May to Aug) often mantas passing in the blue. A spot also good for a night dive and a good chance to get surprised.

Sub Oceanic (Ventures Pvt. Ltd.), Shaviyani Atoll

★★★★★ Maroshi Thila

This dive site in the north of the Maldives is a pinnacle starting at 16m with overhangs and canyons. Here you will enjoy great fish life and lots of colorful soft corals.

Palm Beach Divers Co., Ltd, 81150 Krabi

★★★★★ Koh Bida Nok

This is one our favourite dive sites since it has the widest range of wildlife. The reef gently slopes down from the island apart from the wall at the south west which drops 22-26 meters.

Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

★★★★☆ Shark Point

Shark Point is one of Phuket’s most popular dive sites. The three pinnacles of the Shark Point break the surface in a small area. The rest is submerged and covered in soft and hard corals. This is a great drift dive. You can frequently spot leopard sharks and bamboo sharks here, hence the name.

BOURAIL AQUA DIVING, 98870 BOURAIL

★★★★☆ Faille de Poe

Located in the middle of the Poe Lagoon, the rift is a really atypical site. It is an old river bed with limited visibility, often with a lot of current and an exceptional fauna. Minimum requirement is 20 dives.