Basking sharks are gentle giants. As the world’s second largest fish, these slow-moving behemoths make an impressive sight in the water, often swimming with their giant, gaping mouths open as they filter plankton from the sea. Despite their size, basking sharks pose little risk to humans, and a wild encounter can be truly unforgettable.
Swimming with basking sharks can be an incredible experience. But before you dive in, there are a few things you should know.
What you’ll discover in this guide:
- The World’s Best Places To Swim With Basking Sharks
- When Is The Best Time To Swim With Basking Sharks?
- Essential Tips For Swimming With Basking Sharks
- How To Book Your Basking Shark Adventure
Ready to learn more about these remarkable ocean creatures?
The World’s Best Places To Swim With Basking Sharks
Scotland’s west coast is widely regarded as one of the best places to swim with basking sharks. Every year, these filter feeders gather around the waters of Coll, Tiree, Mull and the Sea of the Hebrides to take advantage of seasonal plankton blooms. This creates good opportunities for encounters with basking sharks.
Scotland is also one of the only places in the world where organized tours specifically focused on swimming with basking sharks are offered. These guided trips allow snorkelers to enter the water responsibly when conditions are suitable and sharks are feeding at the surface.
While Scotland offers the most reliable opportunity to swim with basking sharks on a guided tour, the sharks also appear seasonally in several other parts of the world. You can also spot basking sharks in these locations:
- Cornwall, UK: Basking sharks are occasionally seen along the Cornish coast. The best places to spot them in this region are West Penwith and near Porthcurno.
- Boston, USA: While less predictable than other places, you can often find basking sharks in some US locations. The waters off Massachusetts, including areas around Boston, offer seasonal opportunities for encounters.
- Iceland: It’s possible to see basking sharks in Iceland, with the best locations being Faxaflói Bay, Árskógssandur, Eyjafjörður and waters in the West region.
- Ireland: Basking sharks appear seasonally along Ireland’s west coast, particularly around Donegal and County Kerry.
When Is The Best Time To Swim With Basking Sharks?
The best time to see basking sharks is usually from April through early summer, with sightings peaking between mid-May and mid-June in parts of the North Atlantic.
Late spring to early summer is considered peak season. This is the time when you’re most likely to see these giant fish feeding near the water’s surface.
In Scotland, the basking shark swimming season can sometimes continue throughout the summer into September, especially when waters stay warm and plankton levels remain high.
Essential Tips for Swimming With Basking Sharks
Whether you’re getting in the water with hammerheads, basking sharks or any other species of shark, it’s important to show the animals respect. Here are a few things to know before getting in the water.
Enter the water slowly and quietly
Basking sharks are a protected species, so it’s important to interact with them responsibly. When entering the water to swim with basking sharks, you should do it slowly and quietly to keep the atmosphere calm and avoid startling the animal.
Maintain a safe distance
Basking sharks may be gentle, but they’re also the world’s second-largest species of shark. To avoid distressing or accidentally colliding with them during the experience, maintain a safe distance of at least 3 – 4 meters (10 – 13 feet) whenever possible. This also allows you to get a wider view of these majestic beauties in action.
Swim alongside the shark, not in front
If you’re fortunate enough to encounter a shark, try to stay to the side rather than directly in front of it. This will allow you to watch them peacefully without running the risk of getting caught in their feeding path.
Even though they feed on tiny plankton, basking sharks still possess enormous mouths, so swimming to the side of them is always a good idea.
Stay calm and enjoy the experience
Basking sharks are peaceful creatures. If you remain calm and give them space, swimming alongside them can be a transformative experience unlike any other.
Follow the advice we’ve shared for swimming with basking sharks, and you’ll enjoy an experience you’ll never forget for all the right reasons.
Are You Ready To Swim With Basking Sharks?
Scotland’s west coast is one of the best places in the world to encounter basking sharks. The plankton-rich waters and seasonal gatherings make it one the world’s best places to swim with basking sharks in the wild.
If you’re ready to experience the thrill of seeing one for yourself, click below to find a PADI Dive Center. Start planning your Scottish diving adventure with PADI today.
