{"id":5967,"date":"2019-09-06T12:58:25","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T12:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=5967"},"modified":"2022-11-15T14:25:44","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T14:25:44","slug":"guide-to-diving-with-bull-sharks-in-playa-del-carmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/guide-to-diving-with-bull-sharks-in-playa-del-carmen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Diving with Bull Sharks in Playa del Carmen, Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Ultimate Guide to Diving with Bull Sharks in Playa del Carmen, Mexico<\/h1>\n

Are you aching to do something adventurous and maybe out of your comfort zone? You have thought about diving with bull sharks but still not sure if it would be a good idea? Don\u2019t worry, we can help you out!<\/p>\n

Many people would think that diving with sharks is a crazy and dangerous idea, but in reality, sharks have no interest in attacking humans. On the contrary, once you are out there, surrounded by these beautiful creatures, you will see how majestic and peaceful they really are.<\/p>\n

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Are Bull Sharks Dangerous to Divers?<\/h2>\n

Bull sharks are not dangerous to humans. We do not belong to their food chain and they are not there to hunt us. We are to them as dog food is to us. We do not like it or eat it as our daily meal but under tough circumstances, like facing starvation, for instance, we would eat dog food. Shark attacks on divers are extremely rare. Divers do not need to worry about scuba diving with bull sharks as they do not pose any threat to us. They are considered among one of the most aggressive sharks due to their characteristics, together with their cousins the great white and tiger shark. The bad reputation of bull sharks comes from the rare cases of attacks against humans when migrating through rivers. Bull sharks are amongst the only sharks that can be in freshwater, they also use rivers to migrate. In the murky, brackish water with low visibility, the sharks are feeling stressed, and in case of bumping into something their first reaction is to bite it without questioning it. For example, they use the Mississippi River or the Amazon River in South America during migration. Accidents like this do not happen when scuba diving with bull sharks in the ocean in Playa del Carmen due to the amazing visibility. They attack big prey but not humans. You have a better chance of finding a pot of gold underwater than getting attacked by a shark. And in the end, humans are a way bigger threat to sharks. There are some more bull shark facts you might want to know.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Are Bull Sharks Friendly Then?<\/h2>\n

Yes, of course, you can\u2019t look at them the same way you look at puppies; it is a fact that they are wild predators. But you can dive with them without any problems by following safety procedures and being knowledgeable about these creatures and their behavior. In our case, we get only pregnant females and some juveniles during our Bull Shark season in Playa del Carmen, they are in breeding mode and the more territorial males are far away from our coastline at this time of the year, creating the perfect environment for us to dive with them.<\/p>\n

What are Baited Dives?<\/h2>\n

A baited dive is when the sharks are attracted to the area by using a bait that is different types of fish or fish products. This will make the sharks stick around and bring them closer.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, baited dives are not a natural environment encounter. It can affect the sharks\u2019 behavior and if not done properly the sharks can start to see us as a free food opportunity and forget about their natural food source. It is important that sharks get their food independently and do not rely on humans for that. This is why many choose to dive with bull sharks freely without any other interaction than the occasional picture.<\/p>\n

At Koox Diving, we prefer to observe them freely without unnatural interaction, the females we dive with in Playa del Carmen<\/a>, for instance, will change behavior as soon as they sense fish therefore we think it is safer to not feed them. We are not opposed to baited dives, in the end, it is all about how it is done. If it is done responsibly, it will help towards shark conservation and provide economic value. Often after diving with sharks, either bated or not, divers start to see sharks differently and get more passionate about protecting them.<\/p>\n

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Check prices<\/a><\/p>\n

What Certification is Required to Dive with Bull Sharks?<\/h2>\n

To dive with bull sharks, you will need to own an Advanced Open Water Certification. Firstly, it is a deep dive exceeding the limit of the Open Water Certification. The depth of this dive is 65 \u2013 100 feet (20-30 meters) and their favorite spot is around 90 feet (27 meters). Secondly, it is not an easy dive as sometimes there can be a current present and we need to do smooth descends and ascends as a group. Don\u2019t forget that you are still surrounded by big predators and thus confidence and good dive skills will make the dive more enjoyable. You can always refine your buoyancy control and breathing techniques by completing a Buoyancy workshop with us and you can always extend your bottom time if you dive with Nitrox Enriched Air.<\/p>\n

\"Bull<\/p>\n

Check prices<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the Best Time to Dive with Bull Sharks in Playa del Carmen?<\/h2>\n

The bull sharks visit us at Playa del Carmen from November to March. Take into account that each season is different as the sharks are not following a strict timetable. Some years they come for a longer period of time and some years they prefer to leave earlier. The highest chance to see them is in the middle of the season but this is also the high season when most people want to go. If you are visiting at the beginning or the end of the season you will risk not seeing them but on the other hand, you will have them all for yourself if you do.<\/p>\n

Where to Go Diving with Bull Sharks?<\/h2>\n