Sharks are fascinating animals. But although being the most threatening predators of the ocean, it can be hard to get one in front of your eyes. That’s why we’ve written this article about how to find sharks near me!
1. Use a Shark Tracking App - Sharks Near Me
The first & easiest thing you can do to find out where sharks are is by using a shark tracking app, such as Ocearch. Shark tracking apps let you explore the location and migration of sharks that have been tagged with satellite tracking technology by marine scientists.
Of course, only a fraction of the sharks worldwise have been tagged so far, but such apps can still give you a good indication of where a shark is or if there are many of these fascinating predators nearby.
Though, as useful as these information might be, it is unlikely that you will be able to see a shark just by using shark tracking apps. It requires more expertise and local knowledge to actually see these inspiring animals (see step 2 below).
2. Take a Guided Shark Tour
Taking a guided shark tour will most likely guarantee that you’ll see a shark as the locals usually know the best areas to see sharks. A benefit to taking a shark tour is that the guide will be able to tell you what kind of sharks you are seeing exactly and they can provide additional expert information, so that you know what you are seeing in real-time. Sometimes tour operators even offer to dive with sharks in their natural surroundings (either cage diving or freediving), which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you just want to see a shark in general, you can also visit a zoo or aquarium. This might be a less exciting adventure, but is especially nice for kids. Though, keep in mind that there is recently some discussions about whether zoos should be banned or not, for example because of multiple animal welfare issues in SeaWorld. So make sure the zoo or aquarium that you’re visiting is treating its animals properly.
3. Visit a Shark-Infested Place
It’s simple! The more sharks are near you, the higher is the probability that you’ll see one. As you may know, there are areas with less sharks and there are places with lots of sharks. Thus, you may consider traveling to one of the places below to increase your chances of finding a shark.
Fun fact: For some reason many people believe that sharks don’t have brains. But they are wrong! Sharks, just like other fish, have brains.
The Top 10 Most Shark-Infested Beaches
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Makena Beach, Maui
- Bolinas, California
- Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua
- West End, Grand Bahamas
- Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Coffin Bay, Australia
- Topsail Island, North Carolina
- Cancun, Mexico
- Recife Beach, Brazil
Tips for Spotting Sharks Near Me at the Beach
- Search at the right time. Sharks are seen most often at dusk and dawn, when they are hunting and closest to the shore.
- Look for shark teeth on the beach. If you can find shark teeth on the beach, that’s a sign that there are plenty of sharks nearby.
- Look for birds diving into the water or small fish jumping out. That’s a sign that a predator is nearby.
- Focus on fishing areas such as piers.
- Find a “waste stream”. Fish & sharks love food waste; so search for an area where food waste is flowng out into the ocean.
- Use blood or small dead fish to attract sharks. Since sharks are attracted by blood, it won’t take long until you will see one.
Using the tips above, I’ve been able to easily find sharks near me, so I hope they will help you do the same!
