Happy Shark Week! I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite travel experiences this week—cage diving with sharks in Hawaii! I’ve been an avid lover of both wildlife and the ocean from a young age (and was a Marine Bio major for a hot second), so this adventure was at the top of my list on my trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Read on for all the details of why this is an unforgettable experience and a must-do when visiting Oahu.
The North Shore is world-famous for its waves and surf scene, but it’s also renowned for its marine life. Many of the coves are home to coral reefs, turtles, dolphins and tropical fish. But if you venture a little further off the coast, you can embark on a thrilling snorkel trip to see some sharks!
Cage diving with sharks was at the top of my bucket list for a long time—I can probably thank the Discovery Channel for that. This may come as a surprise, but there was zero danger involved in this dive. It was one of the most peaceful and transformative underwater scenes I’ve ever experienced. I would highly recommend it to anyone that loves snorkeling and wildlife encounters.
Sandbar, Galapagos and Gray Reef sharks are typically the only shark species you’ll encounter here. They’re beautiful and gigantic sharks, but completely non-aggressive towards humans. I snapped a few shots on my film camera during the dive, but pictures honestly don’t do the experience justice. The blues of the Pacific are crystal clear and the view is jawdropping with the sharks gently swimming near the surface. It’s something you truly have to experience for yourself!
I highly recommend booking with North Shore Shark Adventures. Their entire team is so friendly and knowledgable about the sharks you’ll encounter on your dive. They also only use responsible practices to attract the sharks—you’re truly in good hands. You also get an HD video copy of your dive, which is a great way to relive the experience.
I hope that this post helped inspire you to see the sharks of Hawaii’s North Shore for yourself! Do you have a favorite snorkeling experience from your travels? Leave me a comment below 😊
