scubaseason

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

Sighting evidence at Dibba Rock, Dubai

Whitetip Reef Shark

Photo: Craig Fujii · CC BY-NC-ND

Small groups rest in the sandy gullies at the base of the pinnacle during the day and become active hunters at night, patrolling the outer wall and plateau in coordinated packs. Unlike most sharks, whitetips can pump water over their gills and rest motionless for hours on the seafloor, a sight that impresses divers unused to Gulf shark encounters. The Dibba Rock population has been consistently resident for over a decade, demonstrating strong site fidelity common in well-protected Gulf of Oman habitats.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Whitetip Reef Shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites