Diving with bull sharks, it may sound like a nightmare to many people, but for us it is a dream come true every time. These beautiful, often misunderstood animals are not only impressive to behold, they are also the embodiment of evolutionary perfection.

With their large chunky shape and broad, flat snout, the bull sharks really live up to their name, they actually look like the 'bulls of the sea'. These migratory sharks live in warm tropical waters and come closer to shore than most other shark species. Adult female bull sharks are larger than the males: they are on average 8 feet (2.5 m) long and typically weigh about 290 lb (130 kg), whereas the adult male averages 7.4 ft. (2.25 m) and 209 lb (95 kg).

But what really sets bull sharks apart from all other types of sharks is their ability to adapt their bodies to fresh water. These incredible creatures have evolved to allow the kidneys, liver and other glands to adapt to the salinity of the water they reside in, allowing them to reach places no other shark species can get to. That's why it's not uncommon for bull sharks to be spotted in rivers and lakes.

From November to March, a group of bull sharks come to Playa del Carmen. The majority are pregnant females that come here as part of their 11 month during reproduction cycle, in this stage mainly to eat and gain weight, that's why we call them 'hungry mommies'. After a couple of months in the area they move further south, into the mangroves and shallow brackish waters that provide the ideal place to give birth to their young. Bull sharks are life-bearing or viviparous and give birth to an average of 10 puppies of 28 inches (70 cm) in length. Shark mothers do not take care of their young, so the babies live in the shelter of the mangroves during their first year, until they have reached the size and strength to explore the open water.

The famous bull sharks of Playa del Carmen make for an thrilling shark dive. Although the dive is relatively straightforward, a diving certification and some experience is required (at least 20 dives). Most importantly, you need to feel comfortable and safe with your diving skills so that you can fully enjoy seeing these beautiful animals. It’s a deep dive (70-80 ft / 22-25 mts) and there can sometimes be quite some current. You stay on the bottom for about 20-25 minutes. While you enjoy the show on front row, the bull sharks with their natural curiosity approach you to just a few feet (or less!). No worries, they don’t eat divers! 😉 They check you out, then move along, leaving us with an adrenaline rush and the amazing memory of the encounter with these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

Please note that we do not feed sharks, we are against interfering with natural development and behavior.