Do you feel the urge to put your fins in the water? The section « Set sail » offers you a selection of ideal destinations based on a different theme in each issue! Hammerhead sharks are among the most impressive to observe while diving. We invite you to explore Malpelo, Egypt, and French Polynesia to meet them.
The mythical: Malpelo
Schools of hundreds of sharks
Malpelo, off the coast of Colombia, is a must-see for diving enthusiasts. On the same principle as the Coral Triangle, the Hammerhead Shark Triangle connects the Galápagos Islands, the Cocos Island in Costa Rica, and Malpelo. These sites host the largest concentration of hammerhead sharks in the world. This underwater sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can only be discovered on a cruise.
The underwater formations, such as pinnacles and mounts plunging 4,000 meters, attract rich marine life. You’ll observe schools of 200 to 300 scalloped hammerhead sharks, visible at sites like El Sahara, El Freezer, Gemenos, and La Nevera. Besides hammerhead sharks, you’ll encounter tuna, barracudas, mantas, and sometimes the rare snaggletooth shark.
Surfacing
Malpelo is exclusively discovered through diving cruises, with about 40 hours of navigation from the mainland.
Practical
- Time difference : -5 hours in winter, -6 hours in summer.
- Water temperature : 16 to 25 °C in winter, 27 °C in summer.
- Ideal season : January to May to see the most hammerhead sharks.
- Equipment : 3 to 5 mm wetsuit.
- Diving level : reserved for experienced divers due to currents.
- Budget : 8-night cruise starting from €5,750, including flights and full board.
- Organizers : Spots d’Évasion, Sea Crush, Aquarev, H2O Voyage, Abyssworld.
The neighbor: The Egyptian reefs
The Brothers, Deadalus, and Elphinstone
For divers in the Red Sea, the acronym BDE evokes the must-sees: Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. These reefs offer the best chance to spot hammerhead sharks. Daedalus, surrounded by strong currents and coral walls, is the ideal place to encounter these sharks from May to August.
Elphinstone, although less frequented by hammerheads, is renowned for its corals and the presence of gray sharks. At Big Brother and Little Brother, an abundance of marine life, including rays and turtles, awaits you. Stay alert, even if hammerheads are not always visible!
Surfacing
These reefs can be mainly discovered during cruises. The itineraries often include excursions to Sataya, a dolphin sanctuary.
Practical
- Time difference : -1 hour in winter, no time difference in summer.
- Water temperature : 22 °C from December to May, 26 °C from June to November.
- Ideal season : May to August for hammerhead sharks.
- Equipment : 3 to 5 mm wetsuit.
- Diving level : minimum level 2.
- Budget : 7-night cruise starting from €1,750, including flights and full board.
- Organizers : the majority of TOs.
The distant: Tracking giants in Polynesia
The great hammerhead shark
The Polynesian waters are sometimes home to the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), reaching up to 6 meters. The best site to observe it is Rangiroa, particularly in the pass of Tiputa, where these sharks feed on leopard rays. Even without encountering large specimens, these dives offer lively shows with dolphins, turtles, and barracudas.
If you head towards the Marquesas, you will also find schools of hammerhead sharks, especially from June to November at the site La Sentinelle aux marteaux.
Surfacing
In Rangiroa, enjoy the turquoise shades of the atoll, or explore the island of Hiva Oa for its volcanic landscapes and rich Polynesian culture.
Practical
- Time difference : -12h30 in summer, -11h30 in winter in the Marquesas; -12h in summer, -11h in winter in the Tuamotu.
- Water temperature : 26 to 29 °C in Rangiroa, 28 °C in the Marquesas.
- Ideal season : November to March for great hammerheads in Rangiroa; June to November in the Marquesas.
- Equipment : 3 mm wetsuit.
- Diving level : beginner to advanced, some dives in Tiputa reserved for the experienced.
- Budget : 7-night stay in Rangiroa starting from €3,120, including flights and half board.
- Organizers : most TOs in Rangiroa, Marquesas Diving in Hiva Oa.
The pros’ choice
A cruise in Costa Rica
Frédéric from the H2O Voyage agency offers you a cruise to Cocos. This volcanic island offers unique biodiversity with white-tip sharks, rays, and of course, hammerheads!
Details : 11-night cruise, full board, 3 to 4 dives per day for 8 days, starting from €10,990. www.h2ovoyage.com
A cruise in the Galápagos
Ziad from the Nature Plongée agency invites you to discover the Galápagos. Dive along walls inhabited by hundreds of hammerhead sharks at Wolf and Darwin Islands.
Details : Cruises including flights, full board, and several dives per day starting from €5,400 for 7 nights, €9,670 for 10 nights. www.nature-plongee.com
GPS coordinates
- Malpelo (Colombia) : 04°00′10″ N – 081°36′32″ W
- Egypt : 24°56’04” N – 035°52’05” E
- French Polynesia : 14°58’37” S – 147°37’32” W and 09°46’45” S – 139°00’24” W
- Cocos Island (Costa Rica) : 05°30’46” N – 087°05’37” W
- Galápagos (Ecuador) : 00°37’43” S – 090°21’49” W
This article, initially written by Margot Harty for the print edition of PLONGEZ!, has been adapted for the web.