There are about forty species of sharks that occur in Hawaiian waters, ranging in size from the deep-water pygmy shark (about 8 inches) to the whale shark (up to 50 feet or more). About eight species are somewhat common in nearshore waters.
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Also, with the exception of white tip and black tip reef sharks, seeing a shark is so exceptionally rare that most locals have never seen one. If you do see a shark when visiting Hawaii—especially in clear, blue water—consider yourself lucky to have had the chance at such a rare encounter.
Shark bites are rare in Hawaii — and fatal shark attacks even more rare — but the risk is not zero. There are about 7 to 8 shark incidences in Hawaii per year, based on the past 10 years' data.
Out of all the Islands, Maui sees the majority of shark incidents, with twice as many shark encounters as Oahu, according to the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources. From 1995 to 2022, Maui had 62 incidents, while Oahu, the most populated island, had 32.
Yes, great white sharks have been spotted around Hawaii. They visit the area between January and April when the water temperature goes below 75 degrees Fahrenheit because great whites prefer living in colder waters. No official record indicates specific locations in Hawaii where great white sharks have been spotted.
Beneath the ocean's beautiful blue surface, conditions can be unpredictable and even dangerous. Ocean safety experts recommend checking in with lifeguards before you enter the water - they'll be happy to tell you about potential hazards like rip currents, hidden rocks and shorebreaks.
Although tiger sharks may be the most dangerous of Hawaiian sharks, other species have been known to bite people, usually with much less serious results. But as mentioned above, sharks have very sharp teeth, and even small sharks can cause significant tissue damage to a person.
Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks. Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.
You'll want to keep a safe distance from the underwater animals (as many of them could be endangered) and never stand on or touch the reef, as it is extremely fragile and can easily cut you. Snorkeling tours are safe, well-organized, and know the best spots for viewing sea turtles and fish.
She has seen them as close to 40 yards from shore (as have I), napping in the coral to as far out as 300 yards. Reef tips are considered docile sharks when it comes to human interaction. Occasionally there are tiger shark sightings. Tiger sharks are considered aggressive to humans.
The easy answer is no. Alligators are not native to Hawaii, and the only way you'll see a gator in the Aloha State is in the zoo, such as the Honolulu Zoo. However, of the two alligators the Honolulu Zoo had, their oldest alligator, Goliath, died in 2015 after living six decades in the zoo.
Hawaii has no native snakes. But, unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's snake-free. The islands have seen their fair share of snake species thanks to travel, stowaways, and illegal smuggling. However, Hawaii is far from overrun, in part, thanks to the fact that it's illegal to own snakes.
It is well known in Hawaii that October through the end of the calendar year is a time of increased shark activity. Historically, it's been the month with the most recorded unprovoked shark bites.
When Are Sharks Most Active In Hawaii? Another great question. Sharks are present all year round and can be active throughout the day. When shark attacks do happen, they are most likely to happen during the day, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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.
Choppy waters are not ideal for snorkeling, especially; if you're not a proficient swimmer. Wavy waters will bounce you around, and you'll experience diminished underwater visibility because of increased moving debris and sand. Waves also influence the ease and safety of getting in and out of the waters.
The quick answer is no, you don't have to know how to swim to snorkel in Maui! Although knowing how to swim will make snorkeling easier, it does not mean you need to know how to swim to be able to snorkel in Maui.
Out of all the Islands, Maui sees the majority of shark incidents, with twice as many shark encounters as Oahu, according to the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources.