Do White Tip Reef Shark Attack At Molokini Snorkeling?

Molokini Crater is a popular snorkeling spot in Hawaii, with over 250 species of fish, mammals, and seabirds found below and above the water. One of the most common species seen at Molokini is the white tip reef shark, which hunts at night and spends most of their time in caves during the day. Snorkeling is typically close to the crater and in shallow water. However, some experienced divers have only encountered white tip and gray reef sharks and one hammerhead in 20 years.

White tip reef sharks can be seen occasionally, but they are mostly harmless and rarely seen out in the open. Molokini Crater is known for its stunning views of over 250 species of fish, mammals, and seabirds. Adults are typically found along the bottom, eating octopus, crustaceans, and fish. They give birth in spring and summer, and mate in the summer and fall. There has never been a shark attack at Molokini, and many people and boats have visited the site.

A woman snorkeling off Maui was bitten in the leg by a shark Monday, about an hour after a nearby beach was closed due to a report of shark attacks. Drift diving at Molokini Backwall is a great place to see white tip reef sharks, with the incredible wall dropping off to 300 feet. The chances of seeing a white tip reef shark are low, but they are a common sight during snorkeling in Hawaii.

Is the boat ride to Molokini rough?

The boat ride was very rough and we saw no less than a dozen tourists get sick. Many others had mild forms of seasickness. When we arrived at Molokini, the captain moored the boat into the brisk wind and swells. Evidently other boats had priority mooring in the calmer waters near the center of the crescent caldera.

Do you see sharks at Molokini Crater?

Yes. Reef sharks spend most of their time on the backside of the crater, but we sometimes see them close to the bottom in deeper waters within the crater.

Via social media, email and comments, we’re asked the same questions over and over. So, we’ve answered them more thoroughly below.

Is your Molokini Crater question not answered below?. Let us know in comments and we’ll add more!

Most Molokini snorkeling is done within the protected crescent, which starts from the apex at around 10 feet deep and slopes down to 25 feet+ (3 to 8 meters).

What month are sharks most active in Maui?

The relationship between number of people in the water and number of shark bites is not always as expected. There appears to be an increased risk of being bitten by a shark during certain months, in particular October through December. Early Hawaiians recognized this, and cautioned against going in the water at that time. Although fewer people are in the water from Nov-Dec, some of Hawaii’s most serious shark attacks took place during those months. Analysis of weather/ocean conditions andtiger shark life history is beginning toshed some light on the patterns shown in this graph.

Please feel free to use only with citing the source as:Courtesy of Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

What are the odds of a shark attack in Maui?

It’s important to keep these incidents in perspective, and to remember that in Hawai‘i the chances of being bitten by a shark are less than one in a million. The chances of being seriously injured by a shark are much less than that. But considering the tendency of some media to sensationalize sharks, and the fact that shark bites are such unusual events, it’s probably not surprising that when they occur they often generate attention out of proportion to the risk itself.

Shark Bites vs. Shark AttacksWhen a dog bites a person, it’s usually called a dog “bite.” When a shark bites a person, it’s usually called a shark “attack.” If a dog bites someone repeatedly or viciously, it’s referred to as an attack. The same logic should be applied to sharks.

In most cases, sharks do not bite people repeatedly or viciously, but because sharks, especially big sharks, have powerful jaw muscles and very sharp teeth, any bite can cause considerable damage to human tissues. Still, it is more accurate to refer to such incidents as “shark bites,” rather than “shark attacks.” There are obvious cases where the term “shark attack” might be appropriate; but such cases are extremely rare.

How aggressive are white tip reef sharks?

Unlike its Oceanic cousin, the white tip reef shark is more harmless and is seldom aggressive unless provoked. They are also fearless and curious, as the whitetip reef sharks may approach swimmers closely to investigate. However, these sharks readily attempt, and quite boldly, to steal catches from spear fishers, which has resulted in several people being bitten in the process. In some places, local whitetip reef sharks have learned to associate the sound of a speargun discharge or a boat dropping anchor with food and respond within seconds. As of 2008, the International Shark Attack File lists two provoked and three unprovoked attacks to this species. Whitetip reef sharks are well-suited to ecotourism diving, and with conditioning they can be hand-fed by divers. In Hawaiian mythology, the fidelity (i.e. “loyalty”) of whitetip reef sharks to certain areas of the reef for years at a time may have inspired belief in ʻaumākua, the spirits of family ancestors that take animal form and protect their descendants.

The whitetip reef shark is taken by fisheries operating off Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and likely elsewhere, using longlines, gillnets, and trawls. The meat and liver are eaten, though sharks from certain areas present a substantial risk of ciguatera poisoning (especially the liver, which contains a much higher concentration of the toxin than the meat). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as Vulnerable, as its numbers have dropped in recent decades due to increasing, and thus far unregulated, fishing pressure in the tropics. Its restricted habitat, low dispersal, and slow reproduction are factors that limit this shark’s capacity for recovering from overfishing. On the Great Barrier Reef, populations of whitetip reef sharks in fishing zones have been reduced by 80% relative to no-entry zones. Furthermore, populations in no-take zones, where boats are allowed but fishing prohibited, exhibit levels of depletion comparable to fishing zones due to poaching. Demographic models indicate that these depleted populations will continue to decline by 6.6–8.3% per year without additional conservation measures. In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the whitetip reef shark as “Vagrant” under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

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Do I need to worry about sharks in Maui?

Incidents of sharks biting people in Hawaiian waters are very rare, occurring on average at a rate of about three or four per year. Fatal shark bites are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Hawaii’s waters.

People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers. A number of marine animals can cause serious injury to people, and sharks are just one example. Entering the ocean should be considered a “wilderness experience,” where people are visitors in a world that belongs to the sharks.

The risk of injury caused by sharks is extremely small, but it is a risk accepted by anyone who enters the shark’s world. By learning more about sharks, using common sense, and observing safety tips, the risk may be greatly reduced.

Can you swim with white tip reef sharks?

Limit your time on the surface – Do not swim or snorkel in areas with possible oceanic whitetip sightings.

What happens if you see a shark while snorkeling?

Go for the nearest safe spot It doesn’t mean that you have to head toward the beach; you can also swim toward a coral rock or sandbar. A shark finds it tough to easily attack you on very shallow ground.

If you love oceans and are fascinated with incredible marine creatures living under the surface, then one thing we know for sure is that spotting sharks has been on your to-do list for a long time now! Sharks are powerful, mysterious, and gorgeous. However, they are also one of the most dangerous creatures that you can encounter while snorkeling. So in order to feel absolutely safe in their presence and not behave in an uncontrolled way, it becomes crucial for you to know what to do if you see a shark while snorkeling.

We will provide you with important information and tips here so that you can keep yourself safe along with making the most of your underwater adventure. Moreover, if you are still wondering where you should go to see sharks, then Fahal Island in Oman would be a great choice as it is famous for the sharks that visit the waters around the island. Mainly black tip reef sharks and lemon sharks can be spotted here. In addition to that, reefs here are in abundance and are quite diverse. Needless to say, Fahal Island is the perfect way to get close to marine life!

The shark species you see whilesnorkeling in Fahal Island, Oman are essentially not dangerous. And even if a shark approaches you, it will just swim away without showing any aggressive behaviour or interest if you are not threatening it or not trying to hold onto its food. Pelagic species that can be dangerous to human beings are generally not present in shallow waters in the daytime. They come up from the deep to feed after dusk only.

What to do if you see a shark while snorkeling Maui?

Leave the water quickly and calmly if a shark is sighted; if you see a shark, alert lifeguards or other swimmers immediately. Keep pets out of the water as their erratic movement can attract sharks. Be aware that using bait to lure fish may also attract sharks.

Have reef sharks ever attacked humans?

Reef sharks are not considered dangerous. There are five types of reef shark: blacktip reef shark, grey reef shark, Caribbean reef shark, silvertip reef shark & whitetip reef shark. Since records began hundreds of years ago, there have only been 24 attacks on humans across all species.

Are there sharks in Molokini Crater?

One of the most common questions that we receive is “Are there sharks at Molokini Crater?” The answer, of course, is yes because they live in the ocean.