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Whether inspiring excitement or a touch of fear, diving with sharks in Nusa Penida offer some of the most exhilarating encounters to be had on these vibrant reefs. These majestic predators not only contribute to a healthy marine ecosystem but also attract divers and marine enthusiasts from around the world. We are super lucky to encounter sharks in Nusa Penida frequently, from year-round residents like the whitetip reef shark to more elusive visitors such as the pelagic thresher shark.
Beyond the excitement they spark, sharks in Nusa Penida play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems around the island. As apex predators, they regulate the populations of other marine species, ensuring a stable and balanced food chain. Sharks in Nusa Penida also contribute to the overall biodiversity of the region by preventing the overgrazing of vital habitats such as coral reefs. Without these incredible predators, the delicate marine environment of Nusa Penida could become imbalanced, leading to detrimental effects on the entire marine ecosystem.
So let's meet the sharks hidden beneath the waves around Nusa Penida...
Triaenodon obesus, better known as the white tip reef shark, is one of the most frequently encountered sharks in Nusa Penida. These sleek predators are a common sight in the island’s shallow coral reefs, making them a favourite among divers hoping to experience sharks in Nusa Penida up close. This species has a wide habitat distribution throughout the tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, however, it is found almost exclusively on or near coral reefs.
Some of the best places to encounter white tip reef sharks in Nusa Penida are along the island’s East coast, at dive sites such as Semaya, Suana, Karangsari, Lucky Point and Batu Mulapan where we regularly spot these nocturnal hunters.
Although they can grow over 2M in length, we often encounter juvenile individuals resting under table corals or hiding in rocky crevices during the day. Their slender, flexible bodies are perfectly adapted to squeeze into tight spaces in pursuit of prey or hiding spaces. As nocturnal hunters, they become more active at night, hunting small bony fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Easily recognisable by their distinctive white-tipped first dorsal and terminal caudal fins, this species has a relatively calm temperament. They are non-aggressive towards humans and can even be curious, making them a popular shark in Nusa Penida for underwater photographers—if you can find them!
White tip reef sharks are currently classified on the IUCN 2020 Red List as ‘Vulnerable’ due to habitat destruction and overfishing. Their reliance on coral reef ecosystems makes them particularly susceptible to environmental changes, highlighting the importance of marine conservation efforts to protect sharks in Nusa Penida.
Chiloscyllium punctatum, commonly named brown-banded bamboo sharks, are known for the distinctive brown bands across their bodies, which give them their name. These markings are most prominent in juveniles, gradually fading as the sharks reach sexual maturity. Growing up to 1.5M in length, brown-banded bamboo sharks are typically found in shallow waters, often at depths of 3 to 30 metres, inhabiting sandy and coral reef environments throughout the Western Indo-Pacific region.
The rugged rocky terrain along the South Coast of Nusa Penida provides an ideal habitat for these sharks. At dive sites such as Manta Bay, Labyrinth and Manta Point, brown-banded bamboo sharks are frequently spotted cruising the rocky plateaus or sheltering in crevices during the day, making these some of the best sites to see sharks in Nusa Penida.
When diving these sites, be sure to check under rocky overhangs for these well-camouflaged nocturnal hunters. They are most active at night, emerging from their hiding places to hunt for small fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. However, it’s not unusual to spot these elusive sharks in Nusa Penida during the day as they search for new hiding places or slip away from curious divers.
Due to insufficient data, brown-banded bamboo sharks do not meet the criteria to be classified as “Vulnerable.” However, they are currently listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN, with concerns about the impact of human activities on their populations throughout much of their habitat.
Orectolobus leptolineatus, more widely known as the Indonesian wobbegong, is a seasonal visitor to Nusa Penida’s reefs, appearing when water temperatures drop from July to October. Not to be confused with the tasseled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon), which is found abundantly in other parts of Indonesia or the spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus), found in in Australia, the Indonesian wobbegong is a master of camouflage and ambush hunting.
These unique carpet sharks in Nusa Penida are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly into the rocky seabed as they wait to ambush unsuspecting prey and can be spotted at sites in the channel and South coast of Nusa Penida, particularly Manta Bay, Manta Point, and Crystal Bay. If you are visiting Nusa Penida during these cooler months, be sure to investigate the caves, cracks, and crevices of these dive sites to search for these bottom-dwelling ambush predators.
With their broad, flat heads, intricate patterns and upwards-facing eyes, the Indonesian wobbegong is designed for stealth! Unlike more active hunters, they rely on ambush tactics. Once prey gets close enough, Indonesian wobbegongs open their mouths at lightning speed, causing pressure differences in the water and creating a powerful suction-feeding technique to engulf prey whole in an instant! They are also known to be cannibalistic, with larger individuals occasionally preying on smaller wobbegongs.
Despite their distinctive, somewhat intimidating appearance, wobbegong sharks in Nusa Penida tend to be shy and reclusive, making an encounter all the more special for those lucky enough to find one.
The Indonesian wobbegong is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ according to the IUCN 2020 Red List.
Alopias pelagicus, known best as the pelagic thresher shark, is one of the rarer sharks in Nusa Penida, seen almost exclusively during the colder season from July to October.
Pelagic thresher sharks are the smallest of the three species of thresher sharks, though they still average around 3M in length! Highly migratory, they inhabit the pelagic waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, ranging from the coast of South Africa and Western Australia to Taiwan and even as far as California.
When diving along the North and East coasts of Nusa Penida, be sure to keep an eye out, looking into the blue for these majestic passers-by. Usually seen cruising through mixing currents and thermoclines, these unique sharks in Nusa Penida favour deeper waters below 20M at sites such as Sental, Pura Mas Gading, Semaya, and Malibu.
Like most sharks, pelagic thresher sharks are mainly solitary and use their iconic whip-like tail to hunt their prey. The elongated upper lobe of their caudal fin is used to slap the water and stun schooling fish, manipulating them into tight balls so they are easier to catch and eat.
Demand for their meat and fins puts pelagic thresher sharks at serious risk of extinction, with populations decreasing by 50–79% over the last three generations. They are officially classified as globally ‘Endangered’ according to the IUCN 2018 Red List
Rhincodon typus, the famous whale shark, is not only the largest species of shark but also the largest of all living fish species. Measuring up to 18M in length and weighing up to 34 tons, these slow-moving gentle giants are a thrill for any diver or snorkeller to encounter!
Typically found offshore in deeper waters, whale sharks can be seen across all tropical and temperate seas worldwide, occasionally making their way to coastal areas in search of food. With its nutrient-rich waters, Nusa Penida occasionally attracts these giants, especially during plankton blooms.
As one of only three filter-feeding sharks in the world, whale sharks primarily feed on plankton, small fish, and other microscopic organisms. Whale sharks are often seen swimming near the surface, making it possible to spot them from the boat as well as during dives. Their peaceful demeanour and slow-moving nature make them non-threatening to humans, and encounters with these sharks in Nusa Penida are a dream come true for divers and snorkellers alike.
Every whale shark possesses a unique pattern of spots and stripes on its skin, much like a human fingerprint. Despite their docile nature, posing no threat to humans, global whale shark populations were classified as ‘Globally Depleted’ by the IUCN in 2021.
Through global database software such as Wildbook, citizen science is helping researchers better understand these gentle giants by tracking individual behaviour and migratory patterns. If you are interested in contributing photos or footage of whale shark sightings (and other species), check out Sharkbook for more information on their citizen science projects! We collect data daily on our dives and submit a number count of all megafauna species, including sharks, to Marine Megafauna Foundation.
However, sightings remain rare due to their migratory nature and the unpredictability of their movements. Whale sharks have been spotted at dive sites all around Nusa Penida throughout the year—so who knows, will you get lucky on your next visit?
Stegostoma tigrinum, often referred to as the Indo-Pacific leopard shark, is an uncommon sight among sharks in Nusa Penida. Spotted only by exceptionally lucky divers along the East Coast, this bottom-dweller is as beautiful as it is elusive!
Reaching an average size of 2.5M, adult Indo-Pacific leopard sharks have a distinctive pattern of dark brown leopard-like spots covering their sandy brown backs. Young leopard sharks were originally thought to be a separate species due to their extreme pattern variation, displaying thick brown and pale stripes more similar to a zebra—hence why they are sometimes called zebra sharks.
The common name for this species changes depending on location. In the Indo-Pacific and Australia, Stegostoma tigrinum is most often called the leopard shark. However, in the USA, "leopard shark" can refer to an entirely different species, Triakis semifasciata, which is found exclusively off the Pacific coast of North America. To distinguish between the two species, one is commonly referred to as a leopard shark and the other as a zebra shark.
Indo-Pacific leopard sharks are nocturnal hunters found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, typically resting in caves and crevices during the day before emerging at night to hunt molluscs, crustaceans, small bony fishes, and even sea snakes. Although rarely encountered, these sharks in Nusa Penida add to the incredible diversity of marine life found in the region.
They are classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN 2023 Red List, as they are sadly heavily targeted by fisheries for their meat, fins, and liver oils used in traditional medicine.
To help restore their populations, the STAR Project / ReShark is rewilding leopard sharks in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, by importing egg cases from aquariums, allowing them to hatch in controlled nurseries before releasing them into the wild.
Hemipristis elongata, broadly recognised as the snaggletooth shark, gets its name from the distinctive, uneven teeth protruding from its lower jaw, giving it a somewhat “snaggled” appearance. Typically found lurking in deeper waters, this shark is elusive and rarely encountered around the world!
Snaggletooth sharks are more likely to be found at deeper dive sites around Nusa Penida, such as Blue Corner and Crystal Bay, though they have occasionally been spotted along the North Coast at SD Point and also at Manta Point.
Primarily active at night, these sharks hunt smaller fish and other marine creatures under the cover of darkness. As a rare shark, an encounter with snaggletooth sharks in Nusa Penida is an extraordinary and almost mythical experience—reserved for only the luckiest divers.
Snaggletooth sharks have a relatively fast growth rate and reach sexual maturity unusually early, at just 2–3 years old. However, despite this advantage, they are classified as ‘Endangered’ on the 2023 IUCN Red List.
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So, now you know all the majestic sharks that can be seen around the island, how many of them have you already ticked off your diving bucket list? Or is there one that has yet to cross your path?
Whether you're hoping to spot a white-tip cruising the reef, a wobbegong hidden in plain sight, or even a lucky glimpse of a whale shark, every dive with us holds the potential for an awe-inspiring encounter of sharks in Nusa Penida.
The question is—will you be one of the lucky few to meet one of the rarer species? There’s only one way to find out! Come explore their world with us!
