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28.04.2021 10:03:00
There are two species of mako shark, the shortfin and the longfin. The shortfin is far more common, and there are few places in the world to spot them.
See full version: Marine Species: Mako Shark
There are two species of mako shark, the shortfin and the longfin. The shortfin is far more common, and there are few places in the world to spot them.
The mako shark is classified as a mackerel shark, part of the same family as species such as the great white, porbeagle and salmon shark. There are two subspecies of mako shark, the shortfin and the longfin. They are almost identical, except that the incredibly rare longfin has slightly elongated pectoral fins. Longfin makos can reach 14 feet (4.5 m), while shortfin makos are slightly smaller. A fully mature female typically reaches 13 feet (4 m).
The shortfin mako is the fastest shark in the world, reaching speeds in bursts of up to 42 miles per hour (68 kph). Just like other species of mackerel sharks, the mako has a complex circulatory system. This effectively makes it warm-blooded, capable of reaching body temperatures 5-7 degrees Celsius higher than the surrounding water. This biological adaptation allows these faster bursts of speed, and the ability to jump 20 feet (6 m) into the air.
This is the place to go cage diving with sharks. The rugged South African coast has a resident population of great whites (the planet’s largest predatory fish) who feed on the 50-60,000 Cape fur seals that inhabit Gansbaai. Here you can swim with great white sharks in the safety of a cage. [links]
Like Cocos Island, to get to Guadalupe, you will need to book on a liveaboard. Depart from either Ensenada in Mexico or from San Diego in the U.S. from August to October to experience great white shark swimming at this remote island location.
Coming face to face with one of nature’s top predators might be the stuff of peoples’ nightmares, but to swim with sharks can be an exhilarating experience for daredevils and wildlife enthusiasts. With more than 500 species in our oceans, sharks are much misunderstood and maligned creatures that are under threat from overfishing and demand for their fins and meat.
Fuvahmulah Atoll is one of Asia’s top destinations to swim with sharks. Tiger sharks are the big draw here and can be encountered daily. This isolated spot also has hammerhead and thresher shark populations so this is an excellent location for those wanting to experience swimming with larger sharks (tiger sharks can grow over 4 metres, whilst thresher and hammerhead sharks can be 6 metres in length!). Yellowfin tuna, barracuda, pilot whales and otherworldly mola (sunfish) can also be spotted here. more
Plan your trip for between October to December for cooler temperatures best for swimming with sharks. You can stay at the Triton Bay Divers resort to enjoy a beautiful beach with quiet diving spots. here
Cue the Jaws theme as you sit on the edge of a boat waiting for the sharks to arrive. Soon enough, you see the dark shadows approach and your heart starts to race. Are you crazy enough to jump into the water mere inches from hundreds of razor-sharp teeth? There’s only one way to find out.
One of the most famous shark diving places in the world, the Bahamas are home to many species including Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and tiger sharks. If you’re scuba certified, go for an exhilarating cage-free shark diving experience with a professional shark feeder in Nassau. Take a seat on the ocean floor as your shark-feeding guide dressed in chainmail sets up the bait box. Dozens of hungry 5- to 6-foot (1.5- to 1.8-m) long Caribbean reef sharks stir the waters. Then, your guide holds up a fish head on the end of a long pole. With a burst of speed, an agile shark snaps the bait and the frenzy begins. Don’t be surprised if sharks get very close to you—but don’t worry—you’re not on the menu. [links]
Feeling daring? Jump in the waters off the coast of Oahu and cage dive with some of Hawaii’s most dangerous sharks. Galapagos sharks, sandbar sharks, tiger sharks, and scalloped hammerhead sharks commonly inhabit the warm waters of Hawaii along with 36 other species (including great whites). From the safety of a metal cage, see some of these predators up close as they circle—sometimes just inches from the bars. Because the cage floats at the surface, there’s no need for scuba gear. With a snorkel and mask, you can pop down for a look whenever you like. As a bonus to swimming with sharks in Oahu, you may also see spinner dolphins, barracuda, flying fish, or humpback whales during your adventure. If you also want to see sea turtles or snorkel with manta rays, check out the best snorkeling in Hawaii.
Kankakee, Illinois
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The waterways around Seattle offer protected dives and a chance to see incredible sea life, like human-sized lingcod and brilliant white plumose anemones. In Seattle’s Alki Beach park divers can spot rock crabs, painted greenlings and strange orange sea pens. Or head about 20 miles north of the city to Edmonds Underwater Park. “The inland waterways are spectacular. What you get with cold water is big critters, which are so fun to see,” Valette-Wirth says. [links]
Maui, Hawaii
Divers find year-round adventures in this mineral water naturally heated to 96F by a geothermal spring. “It’s very comfortable and amazing to see. It’s hidden in a beehive shape limestone rock with clear, super-warm water,” Valette-Wirth says. “People flock to this.” here
More information: homesteadresort.com [links]