Last February, I did a shark diving tour in the North Shore of O'ahu, one of the Hawaiian Islands. So if you're thinking of doing it, here are my tips, which company I picked and more!
Picking an eco-friendly company
For this, there are lots of options to choose from! I decided to go with Blue Eco Tours. I really liked them because they are an eco-friendly company that teaches you and does it in a sustainable way. Before we got in the water, they taught us about the shark species we would be swimming with and some safety tips, which was great and very interesting to learn before we went diving.
Preparing for the dive
Something to know if you want to do this tour, is that the boat ride can get a bit rocky. If you get seasick, make sure to bring some motion sickness medicine. You don't want to throw up as you're about to swim with sharks :')
When we got to our dive spot, we got surrounded by shark fins immediately, it honestly felt like a movie. It can be a bit scary, especially if you've seen shark movies that make them look deadly. But here's the good news – Blue Eco Tours has a perfect safety record, and nothing bad has ever happened during their shark dives. My mom, who was with me, decided not to jump in because she was too scared. (I feel as if she should have done it but… It's important to feel comfortable and not do anything that makes you super nervous)
During the ride there, they offered us a chance to buy a photo package. I highly recommend it! The photos turned out fantastic, and I can keep them as awesome memories. I remember it cost around $70, and it was totally worth it.
The dive
Once we were in the water, it's normal to feel a bit nervous at first. After all, you're swimming with sharks, not an everyday activity for many! But the thing is, if you don't bother them, they won't bother you. It's pretty cool to see them up close and realize they're not like what you see in the movies, and they're just ocean puppies.
What I learned
Sharks play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by regulating the populations of their prey, which helps protect the health of coral reefs and other important habitats. Additionally, as apex predators, they help eliminate sick or weak individuals in prey species, contributing to overall ecosystem resilience.
To wrap it up!
If you're thinking about trying shark diving, I say go for it! It's not just exciting; it's also a great learning experience. And don't worry if you're a bit scared – take your time to decide. Thanks for coming along with me on this adventure, and I encourage you to give shark diving a shot. It's an adventure you'll always remember! 🌊🦈