As strange as it may be, in all my hours spent surfing and diving off the coast of O’ahu, I have only seen sharks a handful of times and the sharks always stayed far enough away that I could not get a good photo. So, I decided to go on a shark diving tour.

As far as tours go, you have 2 options: cage diving and free diving. I briefly summarize my various cage diving experiences here, but this post focuses more on free diving with these gorgeous animals. Check out the short video of the dive!

Overall, cage diving is fun, but it’s not the adrenaline rush that free diving with sharks is. 

After all of my experiences cage diving, I desperately wanted to free dive with these beautiful creatures. Our group went with Hawaii Adventure Diving (@hawaiiadventurediving on Instagram) in Hale'iwa. We read reviews and they seemed like the best option. We rented the whole boat for ourselves and charged our Gopros.

Captain Chris and Safety Diver Nick (@thescuubabum on Instagram) were very knowledgable and gave us a bunch of information on the boat ride out to the diving spot. They went over safety and told us all about the sharks that we would get to meet.

Diver Nick’s job is to stay in the water with the group, keeping an eye out. He basically swam around and when a shark got too close, he would put his hand on their nose and guide them to the side. Mostly, the sharks did not get too close so when we would swim a little closer, they tended to dart away to the safety of the darker waters.

Figure out which company you want to go with because there are tons. Do they have good reviews? Do you get a lot of time in the water? Are they concerned with your safety as well as the sharks’ safety?

Find out what type of sharks you will most likely be diving with and read up on them, learn their habits and behaviors.

Listen to the briefing given by the tour group and ask questions.

The ocean is not our home, no matter how badly I wish I could live there. When we go into the ocean, we are entering the animals’ territory, and in this case that happens to be the sharks'. When you go into someone’s home you show respect, this is the same thing. While I believe sharks are greatly misunderstood, they are still wild animals and will act accordingly when they feel threatened. No matter what, do not attempt to corner or antagonize a shark.

Do not reach out the shark, let the shark come to you, if they choose.

Body language plays a major role in how the sharks will perceive you. Splashing around and swimming erratically gives off the same signals that a sick or weak fish gives off to the shark’s electroreceptors. Kicking your feet aggressively on the surface is not recommended, so kick slowly and with purpose to glide through the water.

Quietly enter and exit the water from the boat, without making splashes.

If your mask begins leaking or your camera is spazzing out you can fix it on the boat. Calmly swim to the boat and climb out of the water before attempting to fix any of your gear. Keep your head in the water and your eyes on the sharks at all times

Keep your head on a swivel and get that 360 degree view constantly.

The best thing you can do is post pictures and videos of your experience. Getting positive word out to your friends, particularly non-divers, is important for shark and ocean conservation.

• Sharks keep fish populations in check which is vital for the ecosystem. They eat efficiently, going after the weak and old fish which keeps fish populations healthy.

• Sharks’ presence intimidates other marine animals and can keep them from overgrazing a certain region. For instance, without tiger sharks the sea turtles would spend all of their time eating sea grass which leads to habitat loss and marine populations decline.

Water, and the ocean especially, can be unpredictable. Undercurrents, waves, and certain marine creatures can make for a bad time. Do a little research about the area before you get there. What kind of animals live there? How strong are the currents? What is the weather like? 

When you first get to the beach, sit on the sand for a few minutes and watch the water. Look for where the current is going out and check which area has the rougher waves. Plan where you will enter and exit the water.

Some sea creatures have awesome defense mechanisms and will not hesitate to use them, especially if they feel threatened. Keep your distance and go to a lifeguard if you get hurt.

Lastly, save your energy. Too many people exhaust themselves in the water, forgetting they still have to swim back. Once you are back on the sand, drink plenty of water to rehydrate.

Don't forget your camera! If you do not have an underwater camera you can rent one at most dive shops, which is what I recommend, or you can buy super cheap ones at many drug stores or gas stations.

When it comes to snorkeling gear, you get what you pay for. If you’re not very experienced or only need to use the gear for a family vacation then the US Divers brand at Walmart will work perfectly. If you plan on getting into snorkeling as a hobby then I recommend going to a diving store and getting something on the cheaper end of the spectrum to start out with and moving up accordingly. I do not recommend renting your gear because it can be pricey and it is not always in great shape.

Make sure it fits! Try it on in the store, make sure you like how the mask feels on your face and check that the fins do not cut into your heel or slide off easily.

After you snorkel, be sure to rinse your gear with fresh water and dry it to keep it in good condition.

Pro tip: The best mask anti-fog is a 50/50 mixture of baby shampoo and water. Wipe a few drops into your mask and you’re good to go!

When you first get to the beach be sure to practice in the shallow, calm waters.  Figuring out your breathing pattern can be tricky if you are not used to breathing through the snorkel. Staying in shallow water allows you to get used to your gear while allowing you the safety of being able to stand up if you accidentally get water in your tube or if you get a little scared. Make sure none of your hair is under the mask, this causes leakage.

Remember to always remain calm. Panicking in water is extremely dangerous. Just pop your head out of the water and take a deep breath to calm yourself.

In Hawaii, we learn not to swim in the ocean if the water has low visibility. This is for two reasons. First, murky water is prime real estate for predators to hide in while hunting for prey. I am not afraid of sharks, but I will also not put myself in the position to be confused as prey when the visibility is low.

Secondly, if you plan on snorkeling in Hawaii then you should know that O’ahu has leptospirosis in the fresh water and dirt. If it has recently rained know that the rain will cause the bacteria to seep into the ocean and nobody wants that. 

Also, why would you want to swim in dirty water anyway? You cannot see anything!

An animal's natural curiosity should never be interpreted as friendly behavior.

When you are in the water, you are in THEIR home, respect it. You are going to see some awesome sea creatures and corals during your underwater journey. Corals are living things, stepping on coral can kill the coral polyps and harm the other animals living in the coral. If you must stand up, look for the sandy areas. 

While some critters may swim close to you, do not touch them. We need to respect these animals and watch from afar for their safety as well as yours. Also, disturbing them will most likely cause the animal to swim away. I recommend a distance of 6 feet or more.

Your sunscreen could harm the reef. Some ingredients in your sunblock can kill or bleach coral reefs. Use a sunscreen that is “reef safe” and has been tested biodegradable. I recommend Natty Block Suncare or Badger Sunscreen.

The number one reason that people snorkel is to enjoy the beauty of our underwater world. There is so much to see from the many creatures to the crazy colors of the reef, the ocean is a thing of beauty.

I do not really think of snorkeling as a physical activity but more of a meditation. You are focused on your breathing and the movements of your body, how the water flows and how the fish are swimming. It is therapeutic. Whatever you get from the experience, be sure to enjoy it.

Mahalos,

Alecia <3