Many of the larger shark species have the potential to inflict a fatal wound on a diver, and as such should be considered dangerous. Experience however suggests that sharks rarely exercise that potential when encountering a diver in their territory, preferring to keep a safe distance especially when observed and engaged by the diver.

There are many dive operators around the world who run commercial operations premised on putting divers in the water with sharks, without the protection of a cage or barrier. It is only when diving with Great White Shark where the cage is still considered mandatory.

Based on my own experience of diving with tiger sharks, blacltip sharks and Zambezi or Bull sharks outside of a cage, I would argue that the risk is of experiencing a fatal attack while diving with sharks outside of a cage is low, and worth the reward of experiencing these animals in their natural environment

Last updated on Jan 13, 2008 by Roger Horrocks