I was not fain to watch my friend get twinge by a shark .

Hey, I’m Marisa! I have a passion for snorkeling and diving and have dedicated the past few years to exploring the world ofsharks. In 2020, I had a life-changing experience during a family trip to Mexico where I encountered 30-foot whale sharks. This encounter sparked my desire to push my limits, and I started seeking opportunities to dive with every shark out there. If there was a shark near me…I was swimming with it!

During my first dive with a tiger shark, I had to redirect the shark and, in my mind, I confidently pushed her away. In reality, my hand was shaking and I may have almost cried. It took some time to become accustomed to these amazing creatures, but along the way, I’ve gained valuable knowledge.

Throughout my shark diving journey, I’ve gained some insights that have not only increased my understanding of sharks and their behavior, but have also made my diving experiences safer and more fulfilling. Some of the discoveries even surprised me!

Here are some of the most useful things I’ve learned while swimming with sharks.

1.Sharks Are Very Curious

2.Learning How To Redirect A Shark Is Important

3.You Shouldn’t Wear Yellow Or White When Diving With Sharks

4.When Diving With Sharks, Get In The Water ASAP

5.Don’t Splash And Look Like Prey

6.Maintain Eye Contact With Sharks At All Times

7.Be Aware

8.Keep Camera Equipment Detached From Your Body

9.Don’t Look For Shark Teeth Where The Sharks Were Just Fed

10.If You Want To Dive With Sharks — Start With Whale Sharks

11.Sharks Recognize People — Especially The Shark Feeders

12.Check In On Your Dive Buddies

13.Remember, They Are Predators

14.Lastly, Don’t Be Afraid!

Would you ever dive with sharks? Let me know in the comment section below!

Three people in scuba gear on a dock. A woman in the center wearing a pink tutu guard looks up and smiles. A man in black scuba gear stands next to her

Divers photograph a shark swimming under a large boat in clear blue ocean water

A shark swims while smaller fish swim near the shark

A single shark swims gracefully toward the camera in clear ocean water

A scuba diver encounters a large shark underwater; another diver with a camera is in the frame

Divers, equipped with underwater cameras, are photographing sharks swimming around them underwater

A large shark swims underwater in a clear blue ocean

A person swims with a shark and several smaller fish

Scuba divers interact with sharks underwater

Two scuba divers swim underwater among several sharks. One diver is in the foreground, and another is farther back. Bubbles and fish are seen in the background

A scuba diver swims underwater near a large shark, appearing to reach out as the shark approaches. Bubbles rise from the diver's breathing apparatus

A hand holding two small, white shark teeth against a light-colored wooden background

A large whale shark swims gracefully in deep blue water, accompanied by a smaller fish swimming close by

Multiple fish, including a shark, swimming in deep blue underwater scene, with sunlight filtering from the surface above

A view from a boat deck at sunset with scuba diving equipment in the foreground and the ocean extending to the horizon

A shark swimming in the ocean over a sandy seabed

Scuba diver interacts with a shark on the ocean floor