Shark City

Shark City is a shallow reef flat and bommie complex on Kiritimati's southern shelf where grey reef sharks have historically congregated in numbers that gave the site its name. Counts of 50 to 100 grey reef sharks in a single dive are not unusual during the best months, a density that reflects the health of the broader ecosystem and the near-absence of shark fishing pressure around the atoll. The reef structure itself is a mosaic of large coral heads rising from a sandy floor at 12 to 20 metres, with good populations of snappers, fusiliers, and parrotfish that sustain the sharks. Blacktip reef sharks are common in the shallower sections. The site is calm and suitable for intermediate divers despite the high shark count, as the animals are relaxed and accustomed to infrequent diver visits.