Whitetip Reef Shark - Trianodon obesus - Common - Depths 1-60m

The whitetip reef sharks are the wild cats of the sea. They are generally found sleeping on a sandy patch, as they are one of the rare sharks able to breathe without having to swim. They generally hide in caves (juveniles) or on remote reefs. Very easily frightened, so quiet approaches are necessary.

Where to encounter : The Shark Cave in Sharm, or any reef if lucky.

Grey Reef Shark - Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos - Common - Depths 20-80m

These sharks look much more massive, and can seem a bit impressive at first. However, they are very shy, and will generally flee at the first noticed presence of divers. They particularly appreciate strong currents, and can be found at the precise spot where very strong currents hit reefs.

Where to encounter : Ras Gomaa in Sharm, Brothers, Elphinstone, St-John's

Scalloped Hammerhead - Spyrna lewini - Common - Depths 10-90m

These are probably the most recognizeable and intriguing sharks which can be encountered during a dive. They appreciate warmer waters, and tend to school during summertime. They are curious, and like to come and check out divers. They like to sway far into the blue, before the currents hit the reefs.

Where to encounter : Jackson Reef in Sharm, Brothers, Elphinstone, Daedalus

Oceanic Whitetip - Carcharhinus longimanus - Uncommon - Depths 0-50m

Being the most opportunistic shark of the world, these oceanic sharks tend to gather in areas where boats stay during the night to feast on food leftovers thrown overboard. They generally ignore divers or even check them out for food. Very dangerous if not treated as such.

Where to encounter : Elphinstone, Brothers, Daedalus, St-John's

Zebra Shark - Stegosoma fasciatum - Uncommon - Depths 10-70m

This relative of the nurse shark is found in areas with sandy bottoms, where they are found laying asleep. The juveniles are striped, hence the name, where the adults are spotted. This explains why they are generally (and wrongfully) called leopard sharks. Quite harmless, unless tampered.

Where to encounter : Ras Mohamed and Tiran in Sharm.

Pelagic Tresher Shark - Alopias pelagicus - Uncommon - Depths 30-80m

These sharks are one of the shyest around, and will generally be seen from a fair distance, except if surprised on rebreather. Their profile, with a tail as long as its body, is unmistakable. Its tail seems to be used to slam fish unconscious before eating them.

Where to encounter : Tiran in Sharm, Brothers, Daedalus.

Silky Shark - Carcharhinus falciformis - Uncommon - Depths 0-40m

The silky shark is one of the other oceanic sharks, observed in the Red Sea as lone sharks cruising generally close to the surface. They tend to have the same behaviours as oceanic whitetips, with the exception of the fact that they do not tend to be intrusive towards divers.

Where to encounter : Ras Mohamed in Sharm, Little Brother.

Silvertip Shark - Carcharhinus albimarginatus - Rare - Depths 30-50m

These sharks are not commonly observed in the Red Sea, but have been spotted on several reefs. They can be mistaken by divers for oceanic whitetip sharks. Ways to distinguish them is the pointy fins, compared to the longer round fins of the longimanus.

Where to encounter : Elphinstone, Habili Ali St-John's

Whaleshark - Rhincodon typus - Uncommon - Depths 0-60m

These harmless giants follow the plancton blooms around the world, and find themselves in the North of the Red Sea during the spring plancton bloom, from April till June. It is impossible to mix up this shark with any other, as the typical patern with white spots on the back is unmistakable.

Where to encounter : Sharm El Sheikh from April till June

Tiger Shark - Galeocerdo cuvier - Uncommon - Depth 0-65m

Although not very common in the Red Sea, it happens regularly that they choose out a healthy reef to hang out for some time, up to several months. In that case, males tend to gather around one big (pregnant ?) female. They will then be very territorial, and will chase all divers out of the area.

Where to encounter : Any healthy reef around the Red Sea

Oceanic Blacktip Shark - Carcharhinus limbatus - Rare - Depth 30-60m

The only specimen of the species regularly observed in the Red Sea inhabits the reefs around Ras Mohamed in Sharm El Sheikh. It is generally observed in company of the huge school of barracudas which loyters around between Shark and Yolanda Reef during the summertime.

Where to encounter : Only reported specimen is in Ras Mohamed

Mako Shark - Isurus oxyrinchus - Rare - Depth 0-70m+

The Mako Shark, the fastest fish in the sea, feeds on pelagic fish. It has been observed and filmed several times in the Red Sea, among which once feasting on a carcass of a sailfish at the surface in the Straights of Tiran. Easily idetified thanks to its big eyes, and the tuna-like extensions on the side of its tailfin.

Where to encounter : Tiran and Ras Mohamed in Sharm

Snaggletooth Shark - Hemipristus elongata - Very Rare - Depth 60m+

The snaggletooth shark is a very rare encounter anywhere in the world, as it has been observed and filmed only once ever. The PURE team came across this fossile shark on Ras Mohamed at a depth of 65 meters. Please find here the movie by Virginie Abrial, the only existing images of this shark.

Where to encounter : Only encountered specimen was in Ras Mohamed