Diving at Tiger Beach

Author: Tiana Santos-Ferrer

My experience at Tiger Beach was truly magical. Tiger Sharks have been my favorite shark for quite some time, so the ability to be with them in their natural habitat was a dream come true. 

Tiana diving at Tiger Beach Credit: Pia Oyarzun

It was amazing to see how unbothered they were by our presence. They are not the randomly aggressive predators people fear them to be, especially if you respect their space. When you are diving, you are visiting their home! It was fascinating to see how massive they are, yet how gracefully they move through the water. They were intimidating, but not frightening to me. I could see the different personalities of each shark. Some would give us a much wider berth when swimming around us. Some were more curious about us, swimming between us divers, which is why we provide them with plenty of space. 

Tiger Shark Credit: Jillian Morris

I enjoyed being around these sharks because that’s what an ocean should be. Full of sharks! They are indicators of a healthy ecosystem. One of the most incredible things I saw at Tiger Beach was the diverse array of species that coexist. Back to back to back, I saw a Tiger Shark, a Caribbean Reef shark, and a Lemon shark swim right by me. There was even a nurse shark nearby!

Tiana diving at Tiger Beach with Caribbean reef sharks and lemon sharks Credit: Pia Oyarzun

Diving at Tiger Beach was fun because I got to come home and share firsthand experience that sharks are not scary. I got to share a space with these beautiful animals, and I came out not only unscathed but even more in awe of these amazing apex predators. 

Tiana with a beautiful tiger shark at Tiger Beach Credit: Pia Oyarzun