Encounters with sharks while scuba diving offer both excitement and an opportunity to promote marine conservation, experts say. Despite their long-standing reputation as dangerous predators, sharks pose an extremely low risk to humans. Data from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File 2025 indicate that the odds of a fatal shark attack are roughly 4.3 million to one, with drowning presenting a far greater hazard than shark interactions.

Conversely, sharks and rays face significant threats from human activity. Each year, commercial fishing operations kill an estimated 80 million of these marine animals. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) reports that nearly one-third of shark and ray species are now at increased risk of extinction.

To raise awareness and encourage conservation, PADI has launched a Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course in tandem with the Global Shark & Ray Census, one of the largest citizen science projects dedicated to these species. Through this initiative, divers worldwide are invited to record sightings, contributing valuable data to ongoing marine research and helping build a better understanding of the ecological importance of sharks and rays.

Kristin Valette Wirth, PADI Worldwide’s chief brand and membership officer, emphasized the need for broad awareness and action to protect these animals. “By combining classic PADI education with real-world participation, we’re giving the global community clear, meaningful ways to protect the species they care about most,” she said in an April statement.

Diving with sharks not only provides an unforgettable experience but also fosters appreciation for these often-misunderstood creatures. PADI identifies several premier locations for shark diving around the world:

- **Great Barrier Reef, Australia:** Home to various shark species such as white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, leopard sharks, as well as eagle rays. Operators like ProDive Cairns and Divers Den provide guided access to this famed marine ecosystem.

- **Krabi, Thailand:** A quieter alternative to Phuket, Krabi offers dive sites featuring black tip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, leopard sharks, and several ray species. Fast Manta Krabi serves this region.

- **Ishigaki, Japan:** Located in Okinawa, Ishigaki hosts one of the largest manta ray populations globally. From July to October, divers can observe mantas at cleaning stations, where smaller fish remove parasites—a unique symbiotic interaction. Euro Divers Club Med Kabira Beach operates here.

- **Fiji:** Known for eight shark species including tiger and bull sharks, Fiji established the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in 2004, its first national marine park and shark sanctuary. The reserve protects sharks through community agreements curbing fishing in favor of sustainable tourism. Beqa Adventure Divers offers diving experiences in this area.

- **Bimini, Bahamas:** Best known for hammerhead sharks that frequent the shallow sand flats between November and April. Divers may also encounter lemon sharks, nurse sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center operates in the area.

- **Aliwal Shoal, South Africa:** This ancient sand dune and designated marine protected area supports diverse marine life and offers vibrant shark encounters. Aliwal Dive Centre provides guided dives here.

Efforts like these combine adventure and conservation, aiming to safeguard sharks and rays while deepening public understanding of their critical role in marine ecosystems.