Bull Shark Diving in Playa del Carmen

The bull shark (Carcharhinus Leucas) lives in shallow, warm waters in every ocean. They are fast and agile and not picky when it comes to food. They hunt turtles, fish, and even other sharks.
These animals reach a total length of approximately 2.20 m (7 ft) and weigh around 120 kg. Unlike other fish species, they do not release large quantities of fertilized eggs, but rather keep them in the uterus for 10-11 months until 1-13 young sharks are born.
Afterward, the young are left to fend for themselves and are not further cared for.

When is bull shark season in Playa del Carmen?

Bull shark season at our dive site runs from mid-November to the end of February, with the most reliable sightings between December and January. During this time, pregnant females migrate into the slightly cooler waters off Playa del Carmen, likely to rest and give birth. Outside these months we dive other Playa del Carmen dive sites instead – a bull shark encounter cannot be guaranteed then. Full timing and sighting odds in our Bull Shark Guide.

The animals’ habitat is continuously shrinking due to the steadily growing human population. Therefore, we want to make encounters with these animals as natural as possible.

We meet at 7:00 AM, and after a very thorough briefing on how to behave with the animals, we head out to the boat.

After a short boat ride, we arrive at the aforementioned “Bull Shark Point,” a large sandy area with a gently sloping depth from 14 to 45 meters (46–148 ft). The perfect diving depth is 22-25 m (72–82 ft). This is where pregnant bull shark females feel most comfortable. To protect the animals and preserve their natural behavior, we do not conduct any feedings.

After descending along the line to our depth, we simply kneel on the sand, arms crossed, and breathing slowed. There, we can observe the gentle giants from a distance of 5 to 6 meters (16–20 ft). While the animals are initially interested in who or what is in their territory, they quickly lose interest, and this becomes quite apparent.

To allow for long dives, we offer NITROX FOR FREE, provided it has been ordered from us and only for those who hold the appropriate certification. No nitrox certification yet? Our nitrox diving course takes only about 3 hours.