Shark phobia

[Fina]

Hi All

I am a new member (as of today) and am in need of some expert advice!

I'm about to go to Sharm to dive but am a little scared as I have a real phobia about sharks. I've previously only dived in places where sharks are pretty rare- med, UK, Northern Europe etc, but I really want to see the Red Sea. I have three weeks to go and am already having nightmares about them!

Does anyone know if there are any dive sites in Sharm where sharks are really rare (or ideally where sharks don't go at all)? I think I might be ok with reef sharks but worry I might panic if a tiger or a mako comes along!

Also any other tips on avoiding them- time of day etc?

I know I am a being really cowardly! :(

Any help greatly appreciated!

Fina

[Adrian Kelland]

Fina,

To be honest, you would be really lucky to see one. I never have, even on the sites where they are supposed to be. I really wouldn't worry, if you did see one, it is most likely to be swimming away from you.

Adrian

[IainC]

I wouldn't worry, in the northern Red Sea anything big is scared away by all the thousands of divers and noisy boats.

It is a privilege if you do see one.

Iain.

[Tony_W]

Hi All

I am a new member (as of today) and am in need of some expert advice!

I'm about to go to Sharm to dive but am a little scared as I have a real phobia about sharks. I've previously only dived in places where sharks are pretty rare- med, UK, Northern Europe etc, but I really want to see the Red Sea. I have three weeks to go and am already having nightmares about them!

Does anyone know if there are any dive sites in Sharm where sharks are really rare (or ideally where sharks don't go at all)? I think I might be ok with reef sharks but worry I might panic if a tiger or a mako comes along!

Also any other tips on avoiding them- time of day etc?

I know I am a being really cowardly! :(

Any help greatly appreciated!

Fina

Welcome!

Same as Adrian says really, I've only been to Sharm twice but have actively sort out sites to increase my chances of seeing sharks whilst there. Have only seen one, about 30m below us on a 'brown stuff or bust' dive off the back of Jackson Reef - and it wasn't coming anywhere near us :(. You'll be pretty (un?)lucky to see one, but if you're with a good dive guide explain how you feel and they'll look after/reassure you.

When I first started diving I wasn't sure how I'd react, but when I did see reef sharks for the first time I was completely mesmerised - didn't even think about the scary stuff and being with a group of divers obviously increases that feeling of safety.

I'd try not to worry, enjoy the fantastic diving, and have a great holiday. If you are still having nightmares and not sleeping, just make sure you buddy up with someone wearing 'yummy yellow' :D

Have a great trip

[John Bantin]

Count yourself lucky if you see one! Sharks need to be enticed with a feee meal to come close and they rarely eat mammals! (picture taken last week in the Bahamas)

[Andy Wade]

Hi All

I am a new member (as of today) and am in need of some expert advice!

I'm about to go to Sharm to dive but am a little scared as I have a real phobia about sharks. I've previously only dived in places where sharks are pretty rare- med, UK, Northern Europe etc, but I really want to see the Red Sea. I have three weeks to go and am already having nightmares about them!

Does anyone know if there are any dive sites in Sharm where sharks are really rare (or ideally where sharks don't go at all)? I think I might be ok with reef sharks but worry I might panic if a tiger or a mako comes along!

Also any other tips on avoiding them- time of day etc?

I know I am a being really cowardly! :(

Any help greatly appreciated!

Fina

The chance would be a fine thing. :)
Almost three decades of diving, only ever seen one. And I have looked. :o
Ah well... rather disappointing really.

[Eddie Clamp]

The chance would be a fine thing. :)
Almost three decades of diving, only ever seen one. And I have looked. :o
Ah well... rather disappointing really.

Well! What can I say? Going to the Red Sea you must prepare yourself for the possible sighting of a shark. One dive off Jack Fish Alley near Ras M a v large Silky Shark passed me and my buddy at close quarters. :) Next came a large shoal of Tuna - that is what he was looking for - not us!! :D

Did see a white-tip at Ras um Sid well below us but there ain't a lot else to see there these days.

Elphinstone? That is something else!!

Eddie

[sharmite]

Hello Fina,I can uderstand your concern over these great animals and i know telling you they are really the most amazing things you will see will do know good.I have lived in Sharm for many years and the sight of sharks is quite rare.I myself have dived with alot of these top predators around the world and i am still ok.The Shark time on Shark reef is just starting but still the odds of seeing one if you stay next to the reef is very unlikely.Don't lose sleep over them it isn't worth it and the day you meet your first you will not forget.Not through fear but amazement.
Enjoy the diving , its a great time of year to be here..

[NickMcV]

Have a look at the International Shark Attack file, a website hosted by the University of Florida, and see just how unlikely a problem Shark attack is.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm

I've dived the Red Sea on 22 trips, a good shark sighting is rare on the day-boat dives, a slightly better chance on liveaboards.

Most Red Sea sharks are fish eaters, and don't like divers because the metal bit on your back hurts their teeth :)

[John Bantin]

Worry about the water. This are millions of tonnes of it.

[Nigel Hewitt]

I'm about to go to Sharm to dive but am a little scared as I have a real phobia about sharks. I've previously only dived in places where sharks are pretty rare- med, UK, Northern Europe etc, but I really want to see the Red Sea. I have three weeks to go and am already having nightmares about them!The real problem with sharks is that they tend to consider divers to be pretty much low life and as soon as they hear the bubbles they turn off and swim away muttering something about 'what is the neighbourhood coming too?' so you never get a decent picture.

They really are so 'not interested' in you.

More people get killed by vending machines so buy your chocolate at the newsagent and you'll be OK.

[Bryan Harrison]

Hi Fina,

I went to the Red Sea (Marsa Alam) for the first time last October.

Towards the end of the holiday we did Elphinstone. Shortly after dropping in we were lucky to be approached by three Oceanic White Tips. One got really close :eek: - see my pictures on the Gallery - http://gallery.bsacforum.co.uk/showphoto.php?photo=403&cat=537.

To be honest I wasn't scared even though this was my first encounter with a shark. I think I saw them as large dogs - something to be wary of but certainly not scared. Judging from peoples replies to your question I now also think of myself of extremely privileged to have seen such an amazing animal (sorry fish) on my first time out.

I know nothing we will say here will allay your fears but all I can say is it is a truly wonderful experience and one not to be missed.

Have a great holiday. I wish I was going back there soon.