Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Photo: B Coleman
What to look for
A solid, torpedo-shaped grey shark with a broad rounded snout, a plain first dorsal fin and a distinctive black band along the trailing edge of the tail. They hold in the current with barely a flick, and will come in for a look at divers hanging on a wall, then move off.
Reading the body language
A relaxed grey reef shark swims smoothly. One that drops its pectoral fins, arches its back and swims in exaggerated S-turns is telling you it feels cornered: back off slowly and give it space. It almost never comes to that with divers who keep their distance and don’t chase. Grey reef sharks have declined steeply across the Indo-Pacific from fishing, which is why the Marine Park’s no-take zones matter.
Where to see it
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Barracuda BommieMax depth 22 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Harry’s BommieMax depth 16 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef The ChapelMax depth 20 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef The PointMax depth 25 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef The WreckMax depth 22 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Three SistersMax depth 20 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Turtle BayMax depth 22 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef West EndMax depth 15 m.
Dive with us to see it
You might also see
- Whitetip reef sharkThe slender shark asleep under the ledge. Harmless, curious at night, and a resident at several of our sites.
- BarracudaSilver schools that hang in the blue off the bommies, sometimes hundreds thick, with a few solitary big ones.
- TrevallyBigeye trevally schooling in a slow silver tornado, and giant trevally hunting the reef edge.
