Where and when to see bronze whaler sharks

Copper-coloured sharks of temperate seas that follow schools of fish, most famously during South Africa's sardine run.

This guide documents sightings in 2 Good Dives regions. The most regions are in peak season in June–July.

Colored-pencil illustration: one bronze whaler shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus).

Bronze whaler sharks sighting calendar

Calendar months, every year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Neptune IslandsAustralia●●●●●●●●●●●●
Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa●PeakPeak●

Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely.

Calendars describe animal presence, not weather or site access; check each region’s dive season. For grouped animals, a marked month may apply to only one member of the group. Sightings vary by site and dive.

Explore all 2 documented regions