Thresher Shark
Sharks with a Weapon Tail

The thresher shark has a very unusual body shape, making it easy to distinguish from other sharks. Its caudal fin is exceptionally large with a strong tail root. The upper part of the caudal fin can grow to be as long as the entire length of the shark’s body. They use this powerful fin as a weapon when hunting, using the elongated tail to hit smaller fish and stun them before eating. Experiencing this unique hunting method live is like nothing you’ve seen before while scuba diving.
Thresher sharks are also known as one of the few shark species to be able to breach out of the water. They have been reported to be seen not only jumping fully out of the water but also twisting their bodies like dolphins. You can find them in tropical and subtropical regions both near the coast and in the open ocean. Although they can dive up to 500 meters, they prefer staying in the upper water column. While diving with thresher sharks make sure you behave very calmly, as they are often shy and easily scared away. However, if they have the chance to get used to the presence of humans, they will come a little closer. Click here to find the best places to dive with thresher sharks, one of the most beautiful sharks in the sea.
Popular dive sites

Kimud Shoal
14038 Logged dives • 9195 Sightings After the tresher sharks disappeared from Monad Shoal for unknown reasons and moved to the Kimud Shoal, this is now one of the best dive sites in the world to see the rare and elusive tresher sharks. These sharks normally live in the deep but regularly come here for the cleaning stations at shallower depths.Philippines

Malapascua
324 Logged dives • 80 Sightings A beautiful house reef dive full of fish.Philippines

Kelapa dua
158 Logged dives • 29 Sightings 45 minutes from Nabucco Islands and 15 minutes from Nunukan Islands, on the southeast tip of Kakaban Island lies this beautiful dive site. Generally very nice wall with usually very good visibility.Indonesia

Monad Shoal
8671 Logged dives • 1559 Sightings Monad Shoal is considered the best dive site in the world to see the rare and timid Thresher Sharks. These sharks normally live in the deep but regularly come here early in the morning for the cleaning station.Philippines
