{"id":10163,"date":"2024-03-26T10:01:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=10163"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:37:44","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T00:37:44","slug":"swimming-with-sharks-in-hawaii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/swimming-with-sharks-in-hawaii\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Water: Find Your Fins by Swimming with Sharks in Hawaii"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swimming cage-free with tiger sharks off the coast of Oahu, Katie Dundas overcomes her Jaws fears and finds a new-found appreciation for one of the ocean\u2019s most misunderstood residents.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ease into the sea with intent, rather than a sudden jump, so as not to agitate the water\u2019s inhabitants. That was the advice from my guides, Bri and Gina, but I am still sliding off the boat\u2019s ladder with trepidation. I adjust my mask and snorkel and hope for the best \u2013 the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean awaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My eyes adjust to my new environment and, seemingly out of the abyss, I spot an ominous figure slowly swimming into my field of vision; its distinctive grey vertical stripes clearly visible. Just as my heart starts to race and panic sets in, the majestic and imposing animal turns away just as calmly as it arrived, wanting nothing to do with the sudden entrance of eight snorkellers into its ocean home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re lucky enough to be graced by the presence of a tiger shark, known to frequent Hawaiian waters in the summer and autumn months. There\u2019s nothing between me and this apex predator; I\u2019m freediving with sharks off Oahu\u2019s North Shore with One Ocean Diving, based in Haleiwa. While this might sound crazy to some, I wanted to push myself to try something out of my comfort zone \u2013 and not only did I achieve that, but I now look at sharks in a completely different way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Ocean is committed to shark conservation, educating us not just on how to safely enter the open water with sharks, but also on the real dangers that they face as a species. Overfishing, irresponsible fishing techniques and pollution are just a few reasons why over 30 per cent of the world\u2019s shark species are at risk of extinction. One Ocean is committed to changing public opinion of sharks, one snorkeller at a time, teaching guests about shark behaviour and safety, and challenging the perceptions created by films like Jaws. And with a 100 per cent safety record, I\u2019m confident, albeit nervous, to join One Ocean on a swim with sharks in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking the plunge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a>
A diver swimming with tiger sharks off the coast of Oahu. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m staying just down the road at Turtle Bay Resort, so I take advantage of their hourly Tesla rental, the island\u2019s first sustainable carshare service, and head out before dawn (early morning trips offer the calmest ocean conditions) to meet my boat at Haleiwa Harbor. I\u2019ve also taken advantage of Turtle Bay\u2019s free GoPro rentals for guests, eager to capture some video of this morning\u2019s heart-racing adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many operators offer caged shark diving, often accompanied by unethical practices like chumming, we\u2019re swimming alongside sharks out in the open ocean with only our snorkels and fins. Our small boat is just three miles off the Hawaiian coast, anchored near a pelagic zone where currents converge to create a natural habitat for many types of shark and fish species, drawn to the area for easy access to food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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