The Best Places in the World to Scuba Dive with Bull Sharks

Few dives get your heart racing like sharing the water with a bull shark. Stocky, powerful, and supremely adaptable, bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) show up from estuaries to offshore reefs—so it’s no surprise that a handful of destinations have built a reputation for world-class encounters. Below is a diver’s guide to the best places on Earth to see bull sharks, divided into baited/provisioned dives and natural encounters.

Baited (or Provisioned) Encounters

The Colosseum, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Perhaps the most famous bull shark dive in the world takes place in Beqa Lagoon at a site called The Colosseum. This dive is often referred to as just The Fiji Shark Dive. Here, highly trained professionals conduct one of the most carefully managed shark dives on the planet. Divers descend onto a sandy ledge and kneel in formation as the water comes alive with multiple shark species, including dozens of bull sharks. Strict protocols, experienced feeders, and a focus on conservation make this a model for how shark diving can fund marine protection while offering an unforgettable experience.

Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks, South Africa

South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal coast is home to two legendary shark-diving hotspots. At Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, baited shark dives regularly attract Zambezi sharks (the local name for bull sharks) along with blacktips, duskies, and sometimes tiger sharks. These blue-water dives are thrilling, with bulls gliding in from the deep and circling divers in midwater. Conditions can be challenging, but for experienced divers, this is one of the most exciting bull shark encounters in the world.

Jupiter, Florida, USA

Just off Palm Beach County, Jupiter has become famous for drift diving and baited shark dives that bring in bull sharks. These dives take place in open water with strict safety rules: divers wear dark gear, maintain close control of their movements, and listen carefully to guides. When bulls show up, they often come in close, providing heart-pounding encounters and excellent photographic opportunities.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

From November to February, pregnant female bull sharks aggregate just off Playa del Carmen. Several dive operators specialize in bull shark experiences during this season. Some use baiting techniques, while others rely on passive viewing at known aggregation sites. Either way, divers often encounter large females resting in the sand in relatively shallow, clear water—making this one of the most accessible and reliable bull shark dives in the world.

Bimini, Bahamas

While Bimini is most famous for great hammerheads, bull sharks also make appearances here. Divers can see them on offshore shark dives, and there’s even a controlled dockside cage experience known as the “Bimini Bull Run.” Though less of a wild reef dive, it provides a safe, structured opportunity to see bulls up close and learn more about shark behavior and conservation.

Natural (No Bait) Encounters

Bat Islands, Costa Rica

The Bat Islands in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region are legendary for unbaited bull shark dives. The most famous site, known as Big Scare, is a deep cleaning station where bull sharks appear naturally during the May to November calm season. Divers often spot bulls circling in clear blue water, sometimes just a few meters away. With no feeding or scent involved, this is one of the purest natural bull shark experiences anywhere.

Cabo Pulmo, Mexico

Cabo Pulmo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to one of the most successful reef restorations in the world. Among its treasures are seasonal bull shark encounters, particularly around the wreck of El Vencedor. Divers sometimes see multiple bulls circling the wreck, using it as a cleaning station. These sightings are never guaranteed, but when they happen, they make for an unforgettable dive in a pristine marine reserve.

Fiji’s Coastal and River Systems

Outside of the structured Colosseum dive, Fiji’s unique geography naturally supports bull sharks. Females are known to give birth in the river systems, while adults regularly patrol the reefs and passes. While you won’t dive in the rivers themselves, the surrounding reefs of Viti Levu and Beqa Lagoon can sometimes deliver spontaneous, natural bull shark encounters—reminding divers that these sharks are truly part of the ecosystem here.

Baited vs. Natural: Which is Right for You?

Baited dives maximize your chances of close encounters and photography opportunities, but they require trust in strict safety protocols and a reputable operator. Natural encounters offer a more unpredictable but equally rewarding thrill—seeing bulls on their own terms, behaving naturally in their environment.

Practical Tips for Bull Shark Diving

• Seasonality matters: Playa del Carmen’s bulls appear November to February; Costa Rica’s Bat Islands are best from May to November; Fiji offers year-round encounters at The Colosseum.
• Experience level: Most operators require Advanced Open Water or equivalent, and many sites involve currents, depth, or blue-water hangs.
• Gear requirements: Dark, non-reflective equipment is often mandatory to avoid drawing unwanted attention from sharks.
• Ethics and conservation: Choose operators who support marine reserves, local communities, and shark research to ensure your dive makes a positive impact.

Final Thoughts

Whether you kneel in awe at Fiji’s Colosseum, drift through the blue with bulls in South Africa, or take your chances at Costa Rica’s Bat Islands, diving with bull sharks is one of the ocean’s most thrilling experiences. By choosing responsible operators and respecting the sharks, divers can help ensure these encounters remain possible for future generations. The best encounter, after all, is the one where the shark treats you as just another fish in the sea.