We're suited up and ready to backflip off the boat and into the water. Matthias gave us our dive briefing on the short ride over. We were ready. On the count of three we leave the safety of the boat. Check our buoyancy and down we go. Not too deep. Only about 20 meters or so. And there they are.
It's all about the shark. Whitetip reef shark, silvertip shark, long nose shark, black tip reef shark and the magnificent grey shark. They estimate the shark population in this area to be about 400 or so. The sharks love to hang out in the pass, holding their position and letting the water flow by.
And the seven strangely clad creatures with bubbles flowing up from their heads are lined up on the edge of the pass clinging to a ridge, watching. It is an awesome sight. The sharks are truly beautiful. And so many. Serenely swimming by, sometimes a little too close for comfort, their steely eyes looking you over. And when you have sharks in front, behind and over you, it is all you can do to just keep breathing, calmly and slowly. No panic, no drama.
We did two dives observing the sharks. It was a great experience and leaves you just a little bit more in awe of the life below the surface of the water than you already were.
THE SHARKS
Black Fin or Long Nose Shark. Carcharhinus Limbatus - max 275 cm (9')
Whitetip Reef Shark. Triaenodon Obesus - max 210 cm (6'11")
Blacktip Reef Shark. Carcharhinus melanopterus - max 200 cm (6'6")
Grey Reef Shark. Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos - max 225 cm (7'4")
Silvertip Shark . Carcharhinus albimarginatus - max 300 cm (9'10")
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