kim

Hi! If there are any scuba divers out there, I would really like to know how concerned we should be about harmful sharks while diving the barrier reef. We are going in December for our honeymoon and although we know the GBR is a top scuba destination, we are very concerned about the great whites. If you have any information, please let me know. <BR>Thank you. <BR>

Louise

Sorry, we just snorkel but have been four times to the GBR in very remote locations and have never seen a shark. You might try posting on www.lonelyplanet.com in the Thorn Tree section in the forum covering Australia and also the Diving and Snorkeling forum. I am sure you will get a lot of answers.

Paul S

Kim, <BR> <BR>I very much doubt that you would ever see a Great White at the GBR. Their usual hunting grounds are in the southern waters of Australia ranging up to maybe Morten Bay in Southern Queensland. Their primary food source coming from seal colonies in the southern ocean areas. Suprisingly some divers insist on diving amongst these seal colonies wearing black wetsuits and black flippers and look remarkably like seals to the Great White. <BR> <BR>I think you will be looked after by the scuba outfit that you use for the GBR. <BR>They would have taken thousands of people out to the reef and I hav not heard of any being taken by sharks. <BR> <BR>Cheers

Steve

I dove seven times at the GBR and saw a couple of sand sharks. They were magnificent to see and none of us felt threatened. I heard no stories about great whites there. <BR> <BR>One thing to keep in mind about going in December is that as I recall you probably won't be able to snorkel off shore because of jelly fish. the diving though should be great. <BR> <BR>Enjoy! <BR>

leum

I live in Melbourne, and I've been snorkelling for 15 years off the coast here. In that time I've seen only three sharks, and they were all under three foot. Don't be too concerned.