Silvertip Shark

Photo: Cécile Bonis · CC BY-NC

Silvertip sharks patrol the water column along the outer wall, their distinctive white-tipped fins clearly visible against the deep blue. These open-water sharks are more pelagic than the whitetip reef sharks found on the reef flat, typically cruising at 15-30 metres along the wall face and occasionally ascending to inspect divers with a direct, confident approach. They are considered potentially hazardous at close range due to their assertive behaviour and should be given ample space, particularly when food is present in the water.