A signature dive destination
Tiger Beach remains one of the most reliable dive sites for close encounters with tiger sharks. Each season delivers intimate, awe-inspiring experiences that keep divers returning. Situated off the West End of Grand Bahama, this shallow sandy plateau offers some of the best big animal diving in the world. This year’s expedition delivered on every level, with excellent conditions, new shark interactions, and opportunities to create dynamic photo and video content.
An unforgettable presence
The tiger sharks at Tiger Beach display a mix of grace and power that is hard to describe and impossible to forget. They glide past with calm confidence, taking small amounts of bait in a surprisingly delicate manner for animals of their size. Their body language is expressive, their eyes captivating. Young tiger sharks in particular exhibit distinctive white around their eyes, making their gaze all the more noticeable.
Photographing these apex predators is always an engaging creative challenge. Their markings, movement, and scale demand thoughtful composition and camera settings. There is a certain reverence we all share as they pass, sometimes close enough to notice the texture of their skin and subtle changes in their behavior.
We encountered abundant shark activity throughout the week, including at least 10 individual tiger sharks on a single dive. The density and variety of interactions made this a productive trip.
Shark diversity at its best
While tiger sharks are the stars of the show, they are not alone. Lemon sharks circle low across the sand, often resting in the sand. Nurse sharks cruise past with effortless calm, weaving in and out of the action, and occasionally gluing themselves to a bait crate. Reef sharks are among the first to arrive and keep the pace lively throughout the dive. These additions made for a dynamic mix of interactions.
Strategic feeding and shark identification
Feed dives are conducted with careful planning and clear protocols. Our dive guides ensure the safety of both sharks and divers by directing the movement of the animals and keeping the team aware and engaged. Divers are positioned in a horseshoe formation, with visibility of the bait station and multiple approach paths for the sharks.
We recognized many returning tiger sharks from past seasons, including Jitterbug with her energetic swimming style, Kim, and gratefully, grandma Emma.
Reef dives with wide appeal
One of the standout features of Tiger Beach is the proximity to beautiful shallow reef systems. These reef dives provide a change of pace and visual setting, offering scenes of sharks moving across coral and reef structure rather than only across sand. The opportunity to shoot reef sharks above coral heads or follow lemon sharks along the edge of a reef brings variety and creative inspiration.
Ideal conditions and a perfect close
This year, we were fortunate to enjoy excellent weather throughout the trip. Calm crossings and clear skies allowed us to maximize our time in the water without delays. As if the week hadn’t already delivered enough highlights, a pod of dolphins joined us on the final day. It was a memorable and fitting conclusion to a week of thrilling marine encounters.
2026: A look ahead
We’ll be back next year with more opportunities to dive with the iconic tiger sharks of the Bahamas. These encounters continue to offer exciting possibilities for storytelling through photo and film.
If you’re ready to experience the beauty of these sharks and the thrill of diving at one of the most unique sites in the world, join us in 2026.
Upcoming trips
Tiger Sharks and Great Hammerheads Combo Trip
Tiger Beach – Nassau Blue Hole – Exumas – Cat Island Combo Shark Diving Adventure
