Fin sharks at Cat Island in the Bahamas

Great white shark Cat Island in the Bahamas

In the waters around Bahamas there are about 40 different protected species of shark. The Bahamas ranks as one of the best shark diving destinations in the world. At the Grand Bahama bank on the east side of Cat Island where the Atlantic and Antillean currents meet, perfect conditions are created for large pelagic fish. For example tuna, spearfish and albacore shark also called whitefin ocean shark. We went to see the basking shark at Cat Island in the Bahamas.

Every year during April and May, the fin shark returns to Cat Island in the waters of the Bahamas when it follows the tuna migration.

The Årfin shark is one of those shark species that must constantly be in motion to pump water over its gills. It needs to get enough oxygen from the water and it gets that by always keeping its mouth slightly open. Until 1980 it was often seen in Bahamian waters but illegal fishing has made it increasingly rare. Today is the yearfin shark IUCN red-listed and categorized as vulnerable and acutely threatened.

Time to jump in

When the dive boat was out in deep dark blue water, the bait box was thrown in, marked with a red buoy. The scent from the fish cleaner spread quickly in the strong current and soon the surface was broken by the first large round dorsal fin. It was time to jump in.

The diving time on all dives was up to 60 minutes and the depth varied between 5 and 10 meters. The only reference I had when diving in 360 degrees was the silver bait box.

There could sometimes be up to six fin sharks around the box. Some of them came close and bumped their noses at my camera, others swam up behind, over or next to me.

Some days the strong currents could take me 6 kilometers out to sea in 60 minutes. Other days I drifted towards the reef and then the sharks disappeared into the depths.

The fish clean also attracted other sharks such as silk sharks, dusky sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks and even mahi mahi or golden mackerel. I was never afraid when I dived with the sharks but when we were picked up by the dive boat I was always the first one out of the water. If you also want to experience encounters with basking sharks at Cat Island in the Bahamas, book this trip with Scuba Travel, contact them here.

Text, video and photos with © approval from Scuba Travel ambassador Tomas Jansson