Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
Sighting evidence at Second Cathedral, Lanai
Photo: Craig Fujii · CC BY-NC-ND
Second Cathedral's tunnel system provides ideal daytime shelter for whitetip reef sharks, which are the most commonly encountered shark species on Hawaiian leeward reef dives. Individuals occupy the same resting spots for extended periods, allowing divers to observe their resting behaviour — gill pumping, occasional repositioning, and subtle social interactions — in exceptional clarity. Their nocturnal hunts through tunnel systems are among the most dramatic predator behaviours observable by divers, though the timing requires a night dive permit and qualified operator.
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.