Species: Tiger Sharks.
Location: Tiger Beach, Bahamas, 2024.
Just wow! I had been hearing about Tiger Beach for years and now it was my time to go and experience this truly special place! Little Bahama Bank, aka Tiger Beach is approximately 11,000km2, with shallow waters 6-15m deep, surrounded by a deep >500m drop-off. Coral reefs, sandy seabed and seagrass habitats were home to enormous Tiger Sharks, all female, some visibly pregnant, passing closely and cruising overhead, all with very different personalities, which can be observed via the behavioural changes depending on which sharks were present at any one time. There were numerous lemon and reef sharks too, swimming amongst the tigers and us divers, they looked miniscule in comparison.
As the tigers approached, I tried to balance the photography and videography with an attempt to maintain eye contact with them. When there were several around, my head was on an almost constant swivel, letting them know I’m paying attention, making them aware that “I see them”. And I did see them, in all their immensity, they are truly humbling, I felt privileged to share the water with them.