Diving With Lemon And Tiger Sharks In The Bahamas

by Pam Wood
(Santa Cruz, CA, USA)

I went scuba diving with lemon and tiger sharks in the Bahamas.

I love Sharks! A graceful and majestic animal. I know what the majority of you are thinking, sharks? Yes, they are viscious carnivores and they do nibble on a few humans occasionally, but you how can you not marvel in their perfect design?

So why not photography them in their natural surroundings?

They are just fish right?

In March of 09, I'm off on my scuba diving trip on the Dolphin Dream with "Eli Martinez," owner and editor of "Shark Diver Magazine" to swim with and photograph the Lemon and Tiger Sharks at Tiger Beach.

Located 20 miles off the coast of West End, Grand Bahamas. Divers call it Tiger Beach, a lot of very big Sharks call it Home.

I get my camera gear ready and assemble the Ikelite housing on my Canon 5d. I use a 17-40mm wide angle lens and a Ikelite Strobe.

Everyone suits up and with heart racing and adrenaline pumping we jump off the boat into a sea of sharks. No shark cages today!

Wow, what a sight to see, lemon sharks everywhere.

I slowly descend down to the bottom, (around 20 ft.) and prepare for the "Shark Show." These fish are large with big, sharp teeth and they are all around me.

I get many shots off as they swim nearby and I occasionally reach out and touch them.

They actually seem to enjoy it (or maybe that's my imagination). Good thing I have a 8 gig card in my camera as I shoot nonstop.

Its been all lemon sharks so far when I look over at Fearless Shark Expert "Eli" who is pointing at me and then points behind me and his eyes are open very wide.

I look behind me and see Ms. Tiger Shark coming directly at me from about 5 feet.

I direct my attention, and my camera of course, at her and get some more shots taken as she passes within inches and veers off. All the lemon sharks seem to part as she passes.

I came out of this experience with great photographs of the sharks and a feeling of accomplishment for facing a giant among fish and gaining an even greater respect and admiration for these amazing animals.

Life is too short, take a chance and try something out of the box next time!

Hi Pam,

What a great story and a wonderful photograph! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. And we are glad you made it out intact.

For me, I will probably stick with the reef and nurse sharks. Have to give this dive some thought though.

Your story made the deadline for our best submission contest for the quarter ending May 31. And, guess what? You are the winner. (The new contest deadline is August 31, 2009 for all you readers out there - or you too Pam. You can enter your scuba diving stories and pictures here.)

A $50 Amazon gift card is on the way to you. If you don't receive it or hear from me in a couple of days, please get in touch with me so I can be sure you receive it.

Thanks again for the great story and photo.

Dianne

P.S. If you have any other photos of your diving trip(s) you would like to share, we would love to post them for everyone to see. We can give you your own page. Either way, loved your entry and enjoy the gift card!