While exploring Nassau, my favorite part of the trip was the afternoon shark dive with the dive company, Stuart Cove. Stuart Cove offers an intimate shark encounter. The Shark Dive experience is actually composed of two very different dives.

The first dive takes you along a reef wall full of fish and corals. While exploring the area, you will see an abundant number of sharks swimming around you, searching for a snack – or just checking you out. Near the end of your dive, you will come across a sandy area called the Arena which is where the sharks are fed. Here, you will see a circular area of rocks with nothing but sand underneath. Inside, if you look closely, you may find some shark teeth which make a perfect souvenir! After exploring the Arena, head back to the ship.

Once on the boat, catch your breath and prepare for your next dive. Grab a fresh tank and additional weights for your BCD (buoyance compensator device) so you can comfortably rest on the ocean floor. Carefully listen to the dive masters to fully understand what will happen during the dive.

Once everything is ready for your second Shark Dive, put your mask on and your regulator in your mouth, then jump in! When your group leader gives the OK, begin your descent and dive…dive…dive to about 35 feet to reach the sandy Arena. You will immediately notice, there are more sharks swimming around you than during your 1^st dive. The sharks swarm around your head, between you and your dive buddies, and gobble fish in front of your eyes.

Once you have been stationed near one of the rocks that make up the Arena Circle, look above you! Here come the Stuart Cove divers who will feed the sharks and photograph your experience. They wear a thin layer of metal for safety, carry a feeding stick, and pull a container filled with fish. As the Stuart Cove dive team approaches, the shark behavior changes. The sharks get increasingly excited as they see the “Lunch Truck” approaching! Their excitement intensifies as the Lunch Truck touches down and they come closer and closer to you.

Soon, there are 50 or so of these beautiful predators around the Arena. Although you cannot touch them, they can touch you; so watch out for tails and fins coming toward your mask!

While the sharks are dodging divers to snag a fish in the middle of the ring, you will enjoy watching them. It’s fun to watch the tricks the feeders do with the sharks. At times, they are able to hold onto the shark and display the animal almost standing on its tail or its nose. While all of this action is going on, photographers are taking pictures and videos of everyone and the sharks. These photographic souvenirs can be purchased in the shop after your dive.

Once all of the food is gone and those feeding the sharks leave, it becomes a shark ghost town. Once packed full of sharks, the Arena is empty. Now, is the perfect chance to find newly fallen shark teeth lost during the feast. Though I wasn’t lucky enough to come home with one of these treasures, some people in my group were!

Stuart Cove feeds the sharks in the afternoon each day. It is an amazing treat to participate in the dive and see these magnificent predators in action. If you would like to experience sharks first hand, understand these spots fill up. It is recommended that you call in advance for a reservation.