Perhaps no more thrilling adventure awaits a diver.  A dive with tiger sharks in the crystal clear, warm waters of the Bahamas is unforgettable. Epic Diving runs daily tours out to the world famous Tiger Beach during the tiger shark high season. Virtually guaranteeing guests come face to face with these large, but well behaved, predators. According to the crew, the diving there has only been getting better, season after season. Here are some of the reasons why…

Dive with Tiger Sharks…made easy!

You’re not going to find better conditions anywhere for a dive with tigers than Tiger Beach in Northern Bahamas. Technically speaking, the dive conditions out at Tiger Beach are quite easy. Most of the dive sites there are shallow, between 20 – 35 feet (6 – 10 meters).  There are some reefs a bit deeper, between 40 – 60 feet (12 – 18 meters). The water temps are usually pretty warm during the season, but can dip down to the mid 70s F (23.5 C). Those two features, combined with the generally great visibility, pose few challenges to divers.

The one factor that can catch guests by surprise is the occasionally very strong currents, typically driven by the turning tides. To compensate for this, divers are instructed to wear extra lead to help keep them stationary on the sandy bottom.  Tiger shark diving at the classic, sandy Tiger Beach are static dives, meaning divers will be positioned in a line on the sand and remain stationary for most of the dive.

…Close Up!

All of our trips are out of the cage and up close and personal with the tigers (in addition to the reef and lemon sharks). We do not offer any cage diving and all of the guests need to be SCUBA certified. During the dives, we’re typically surrounded by 30 or more reef and lemon sharks in addition to the larger-than-life tiger sharks. Without any barriers, the animals get close, making for some incredible photographic opportunities!

…and more!

When you sign up for one of our trips to dive with tiger sharks, you’re not going to just see tiger sharks! They’re certainly the stars of the show, but let’s not forget about the other sharks. Diver’s will certainly see reef sharks and lemon sharks, in addition to the tigers. During the winter time, there are also very high chances of seeing great hammerhead and bull sharks as well. Throw in a nurse shark or two, and we’ve seen up to 6 species on a single dive! At some of the sites we visit, there are also loads of large, friendly grouper and southern stingrays.

Dive with Tiger Sharks…sign me up!

Ready to book your adventure of a lifetime? Interested in returning to the worlds greatest shark dive? Take a look at our packages to dive with Tiger Sharks which includes all the details you’d need, including travel tips, boat details, accommodations info, and frequently asked questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any more info or would like to make your reservation.

Dive with Tiger Sharks: Best of Bahamas!

The Bahamas undoubtedly offers some of the best shark diving options available in the world! Tiger Beach has been a long time favorite among shark diving enthusiasts with it’s abundance of large sharks including Tiger Sharks, Reef Sharks, and Lemon Sharks. Bimini has emerged as a hotspot for reliable encounters with the elusive Great Hammerhead Shark, as well as regularly seen Bull Sharks and Nurse Sharks. But there is another hidden gem in shark diving lying in the central Bahamas. On the eastern edge of Exuma Sound, the deep water is a favorite hang out of the endangered Oceanic Whitetip Shark, an extremely photogenic pelagic species.

When do you run Oceanic Whitetip Shark Diving day trips?
The spring season is the right time of year to seek out encounters with the oceanic whitetip sharks. They are migratory but return each year in large numbers during the spring months. Their migration is believed to be related to mating or gestation as most of the oceanic whitetip sharks we see are female, and many of them are pregnant.

What are day trips to dive with the Oceanic Whitetip Sharks like?
A typical day trip to dive with the oceanic whitetip sharks involves an early start to grab a bite to eat before boarding the boat for the ride out to the shark grounds – click here to visit Intrepid Powerboats used for the trip. MV Thresher is fully equipped for comfort and safety to enjoy the whole day out on the water. In addition to all the seating space on the dive deck and up on the flybridge, there’s also a fully enclosed cabin to get out of the elements on some of those not so inviting winter mornings. Both the flybridge and inside cabin have stereo systems with bluetooth connectivity to enjoy your favorite playlist. The oceanic whitetips stay around the boat all day long, allowing for lengthy in water encounters. We will do a combination of SCUBA diving and snorkeling/freediving to best take advantage of the opportunity and maximize our water time. The encounters are different on SCUBA vs snorkel, and each have their pros and cons. SCUBA diving with oceanic whitetips is effortless drift diving where proper buoyancy is crucial and you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. While snorkeling with oceanic whitetip sharks, you’ll be able to take advantage of the awesome surface light and close up photo ops. Read more here to make the right choice.

How many days should you swim with Oceanic Whitetip Sharks?
We recommend no less than three days planned to dive with the oceanic whitetip sharks. Even though it’s the spring season when weather is usually getting calmer, there may still be occasional squalls of heavy winds and high seas, preventing us from making it out for diving or snorkeling with the oceanic whitetip sharks. The dive area is located in deep ocean water and can seas can build quickly. We offer standard packages with either 3 or 5 days of diving planned. We know it can be really disappointing to lose a day of diving and we strongly recommend travelers secure some form of travel insurance specific to diving, such as the kind offered by DAN or DiveAssure.

What can we expect to see in a day trip to dive with Oceanic Whitetip Sharks?
We have been diving with oceanic whitetip sharks for the past 8 years and the encounters have only gotten better over time. We have had days with up to 15 of the pelagic sharks spending the whole day with the dive group! The exciting part is that aside from the oceanic whitetips, you never know what else might show up while drifting out in the crystal clear deep blue. We have had regular encounters with Silky Sharks, Dusky Sharks and Reef Sharks, as well as the occasional Blue Shark, Mako Shark and even Great hammerhead and Tiger Sharks! And sharks aren’t the only marine animals bringing in the heart pounding excitement. Huge schools of tuna, mahi mahi (aka dorado or dolphin fish), and even Blue Marlin and White Marlin! It really is a special place worth checking off your list of shark diving hotspots!

How do I arrange day trips to dive with oceanic whitetip sharks?
Having such a short season, we generally book up well in advance, so it’s best to contact us early. Our calendar is set and boat reserved throughout the season so we don’t have space for your typical open bookings. Contact us for dates and availability.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark and Pilot Fish

We had an awesome time during our combined Dive Photo Guide/Prawno Apparel trip to dive Tiger Beach and Bimini’s Great Hammerheads. The trip was not without challenges courtesy of Mother Nature, but we were able to strategize as a team and get the most out of our dive time! With Bimini out of the equation because of weather challenges, the stars aligned and we spent all of our dives at Tiger Beach enjoying the Tiger sharks, reef sharks, lemon sharks AND Great Hammerhead and Bull sharks! It was a great couple of days out there and we’re happy to share Jeff Honda’s video from the trip! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tiger Beach Dive Trip Report

More in videos: Southern Stingray: Grand Bahama Island

The diving at Tiger Beach has only been getting better, season after season!  We’ve been so excited to see the changes, and this year is no different.  The shark diving at Tiger Beach has become a fan favorite.  Not only are we enjoying numerous tiger sharks with the reef sharks and lemon sharks to compliment the show, but we are now having regular dives featuring great hammerhead sharks and even bull sharks.  During the early part of the year this past season, we had several days during each of our trips that had great hammerhead sharks mixed in with the tiger sharks!  It has been incredible and the photographic opportunities are top notch.

The 2018 season is already shaping up to be another record setter with loads of tiger sharks and a few great hammerheads making regular appearances.  Obviously, this time frame has become quite a popular time to visit.  We are already taking reservations for the 2019 season and the calendar is filling up fast.  If you’ve been thinking of making a visit, there’s no better time.  Tiger Beach off Grand Bahama Island is hotter than ever!  Be sure to check out our Tiger Beach packages and contact us early to reserve your spot for these unforgettable adventures.  It was recently named the Reader’s Choice #1 Big Animal dive destination in SCUBA Diving Magazine.

The January/February issue of SCUBA Diving Magazine was just released and covers the 2018 Readers Choice Awards. Not surprisingly, the Bahamas ranked on top for the reader’s pick, best big animals destination! The 2-page photos used for the article was taken during one of our Tiger Beach expeditions this past February by Jennifer Penner of NewMediaSoup.

Grand Bahama is underrated in the diving community. Great reefs and, of course, the abundance of sharks make it amazing!”

The article features all three of our favorite shark diving hotspots: Great Hammerheads off Bimini, Tiger Sharks off Grand Bahama, and Oceaincs Whitetips off Cat Island. Here are a few excepts…

Tiger Beach is undoubtedly one of the world’s best shark diving sites and each year seems to get better and better.  In the recent few seasons, we have been having reliable encounters with Great Hammerheads during the January – April timeframe.  It’s an amazing experience to have Tiger Sharks, Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks and now Great Hammerheads and Bull Sharks all together on the same dive.  Contact us for more details and to make a reservation.

We are often asked if we offer day trips to tiger beach. The answer is yes! In fact, all we offer are shark diving day trips. We do not operate a live aboard dive boat at all. In all three locations, we make day trips to various shark diving hotspots. On Grand Bahama island, we head out each morning for our Tiger Beach day trips. In Bimini, it’s a short boat ride between the dive site and the hotel/marina. On Cat Island, we transfer to the boat each morning before heading out for a day with the oceanic whitetip sharks.

When do you run Tiger Beach trips?

We are located on the West End of Grand Bahama Island for our day trips to tiger beach.  Peak season is between the fall and spring months. During that time frame, we enjoy some of the best shark diving this planet has to offer. In addition to our regulars, we also find the fan favorites like Emma and Hook!

What is the dive boat for Tiger Beach like?

A typical day trip to tiger beach involves an early start to grab a bite to eat before boarding the boat for the ride out to the shark grounds. MV Thresher is fully equipped for comfort and safety to enjoy the whole day out on the water. In addition to all the seating space on the dive deck and up on the flybridge, there’s also a fully enclosed cabin to get out of the elements on some of those not so inviting winter mornings. Both the flybridge and inside cabin have stereo systems with Bluetooth connectivity to enjoy your favorite playlist.

What are day trips to Tiger Beach like?

Once we get up to tiger beach, we’ll scan the area and pick our anchor spot. As the chum makes it’s way into the water, divers can get their gear setup finalized and prep cameras while we wait for the sharks to show up. Reef sharks are usually the first ones to the boat, with lemon sharks following closely behind. Once the tiger sharks show up, we’ll gear up and head into the water. Technically speaking, our dives are not difficult at all. Our average dive depth is between 20 – 30 feet (6 – 10 meters) so dive times are generally over 60 minutes. Divers also usually arranged in a line on the bottom and remain stationary throughout the dive. We’re heavily waited to make it easier to stay put on the bottom and hold your position in the variable surface surge and current that is well known at Tiger Beach.

After the last dive has ended, we’ll pull the chum and anchor and make our way back to the resort. Our host accommodations are fully appointed with all the comforts you could need. Take a shower, grab a bite to eat, enjoy the hot tub or pool, or jump online and post your favorite photos from the day diving with tiger sharks.

How many days should you dive Tiger Beach?

We recommend no less than three days planned to be at tiger beach. Unfortunately, the winter season is known for occasional squalls of heavy winds and high seas, preventing us from making it out for diving at tiger beach. It is located far offshore and completely unprotected from any significant winds. We offer standard packages with either 3 or 5 days of diving planned. We know it can be really disappointing to lose a day of diving and we strongly recommend travelers secure some form of travel insurance specific to diving, such as the kind offered by DAN or DiveAssure.

What can we expect to see at Tiger Beach?

Sharks, lots of sharks! We are fortunate to have had a 100% success rate finding the tiger sharks on our day trips to tiger beach. We also always see reef sharks and lemon sharks and occasionally nurse sharks. More recently, we’ve been encountering a lot more bull and great hammerhead sharks than usual. We’re hoping that carries forward during future tiger beach shark diving seasons. We also love spending some time at the reefs in the tiger beach area. They are really lush, beautiful, and loaded with sharks. The reefs are much deeper than the classic tiger beach spots, averaging around 50 feet or so.

How do I arrange a trip to Tiger Beach?

Having such a short season, we generally book up in advance, so it’s best to contact us early. Our calendar is set and boat reserved throughout the season so we don’t have space for your typical open bookings. Contact us for dates and availability.

Day Trips to Tiger Beach

Check out some of our other great posts about Tiger Beach:

Tiger Shark Diving in the Bahamas – 5 Common Mistakes

Tiger Beach Shark Diving: Negative Entry

Tiger Beach Diving in the Bahamas – 2019!

Dive with Tiger Sharks: Best of Bahamas

Great Hammerhead Sharks at Tiger Beach!

Tiger Beach Bahamas: When Currents Rip

Bahamas – 1st Place Pick for Big Animals 2018

The most recent issue of Dive Training Magazine features an awesome cover shot by our friend, Michele Hall.  The image was taken during one of our Tiger Beach diving expeditions in the peak fall/winter season.

Dive Training has a very unique cover photo image style.  If you haven’t seen it before, it’s pretty neat.  Every one of their cover photos has a reverse image on the inside of the front cover.  Take a look at this issues:

If you have thought about taking the plunge for some tiger beach diving, check out our Tiger Shark Diving Expedition page.

Take a look at another Epic Diving Magazine Cover.

We are often asked if we offer tiger beach day trips. The answer is yes. In fact, all we offer are shark diving day trips.  In Grand Bahama, we head out each morning for our tiger beach day trips and return to our host resort and marina each evening.

When do you run Tiger Beach day trips?
We are located on the West End of Grand Bahama Island for our tiger beach day trips between the fall and spring months. During that time frame, we enjoy some of the best shark diving this planet has to offer. In addition to some of the regular tiger sharks, we also find some of the fan favorite super stars like Emma and Hook!

What are Tiger Beach day trips like?
A typical day trip to tiger beach involves an early start to grab a bite to eat before boarding the boat for the ride out to the shark grounds. MV Thresher is fully equipped for comfort and safety to enjoy the whole day out on the water. In addition to all the seating space on the dive deck and up on the flybridge, there’s also a fully enclosed cabin to get out of the elements on some of those not so inviting winter mornings. Both the flybridge and inside cabin have stereo systems with bluetooth connectivity to enjoy your favorite playlist.

Once we get up to tiger beach, we’ll scan the area and pick our anchor spot. As the chum makes it’s way into the water, divers can get their gear setup finalized and prep cameras while we wait for the sharks to show up. Reef sharks are usually the first ones to the boat, with lemon sharks following closely behind. Once the tiger sharks show up, we’ll gear up and head into the water. Technically speaking, our dives are not difficult at all. Our average dive depth is between 20 – 30 feet (6 – 10 meters) so dive times are generally over 60 minutes.

Divers also usually arranged in a line on the bottom and remain stationary throughout the dive. We’re heavily waited to make it easier to stay put on the bottom and hold your position in the variable surface surge and current that is well known at Tiger Beach. After the last dive has ended, we’ll pull the chum and anchor and make our way back to the resort.

Our host accommodations are fully appointed with all the comforts you could need. Take a shower, grab a bite to eat, enjoy the hot tub or pool, or jump online and post your favorite photos from the day diving with tiger sharks.

How many days should you dive tiger beach?
We recommend no less than three days planned to be at tiger beach. Unfortunately, the winter season is known for occasional squalls of heavy winds and high sea, preventing us from making it out for diving at tiger beach. It is located far offshore and completely unprotected from any significant winds. We offer standard packages with either 3 or 5 days of diving planned. We know it can be really disappointing to lose a day of diving and we strongly recommend travels secure some form of travel insurance specific to diving, such as the kind offered by DAN or DiveAssure.

What can we expect to see in a day trip to tiger beach?
Sharks, lots of sharks! We are fortunate to have had a 100% success rate finding the tiger sharks on our day trips to tiger beach. We also always see reef sharks and lemon sharks and occasionally nurse sharks. More recently, we’ve been encountering a whole lot more bull sharks and great hammerhead sharks than usual. We’re hoping that carries forward during future tiger beach shark diving seasons. We also love spending some time at the reefs in the tiger beach area. They are really lush, beautiful, and loaded with sharks. The reefs are much deeper than the classic tiger beach spots, averaging around 50 feet or so.

How do I arrange day trips to tiger beach?
Having such a short season, we generally book up well in advance, so it’s best to contact us early. Our calendar is set and boat reserved throughout the season so we don’t have space for your typical open bookings. Contact us for dates and availability.

Tiger Beach Day Trips

We spent an incredible week working with the folks at Behind the Mask and A Cotton Photo during our Great Hammerhead season in Bimini. Here’s an awesome video from our night dive during the trip.  Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

You can learn more about our dive expeditions with the great hammerhead sharks by clicking here.  See more from Behind the Mask.

From the Bahamas National Trust and PEW

Sharks are in trouble globally, and there are few locations where healthy shark populations still exist. The Bahamas is one of these rare exceptions. Because of the ban on longline fishing gear in the 1990s, Bahamian shark populations remain relatively healthy with a great diversity of species. By establishing comprehensive protections for sharks, not only will sharks be permanently safeguarded against other threats, but the health of the marine environment and the economy of The Bahamas will be conserved for generations to come.

An Asset to The Bahamas

Tourism is the largest economic income generating sector in The Bahamas. Many tourists come to The Bahamas to participate in diving or recreational fishing. Television and film crews also frequent The Bahamas to make use of the clear water and available shark species, generating further public and media attention for the islands. As a result, the high diversity and abundance of sharks provide a valuable asset to the Bahamian economy.

The Bahamas is one of the top destinations to snorkel and/or dive with sharks, claiming the name “Shark Diving Capital of the World.” Sharks rank high on the majority of scuba divers’ must-see lists, and many divers would be willing to pay more to see a shark in the wild. With 92 percent of The Bahamas Dive Association members offering some form of shark dive activity, sharks have become the main attraction in The Bahamas. Over the past 20 years, shark related tourism has contributed more than US$800 million dollars to the Bahamian economy. A single reef shark is estimated to be worth US$250,000 over its lifetime for tourism if kept alive on the reef. If it is fished, the same shark generates a one-time value of US$50-60. Sharks are clearly worth more alive than dead, demonstrating the need to protect this valuable resource.

Sharks under Threat

Sharks have been swimming the world’s oceans for more than 400 million years. They have survived multiple mass extinctions, but they are not equipped to withstand the threats now posed by humans. Their life history characteristics, such as slow growth, late maturation and production of few offspring, make them vulnerable to overfishing and slow to recover from decline. As a result, shark populations are in trouble globally.

The demand for shark fins, meat, liver oil and other products has driven numerous shark populations to the brink of extinction. The growing demand for the Asian delicacy, shark fin soup, has led to the killing of up to 73 million sharks a year and is impacting shark populations worldwide, which could potentially affect The Bahamas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has assessed that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world are threatened or near threatened with extinction. The loss of sharks could cause irreversible damage to the ocean—and to economic activities, such as dive tourism, that benefit from healthy marine habitats.

Permanent Protection for Sharks

Time is of the essence – giving sharks permanent protection in The Bahamas helps
grow our economy, creates jobs and helps secure the continued survival of these
incredible animals.

Reef Sharks – Bahamas Diving