Sharks are widely distributed throughout the Caribbean, but certain "hotspots" are famous for reliable encounters with specific species. The Bahamas is the global capital for shark diving; Tiger Beach (Grand Bahama) is world-renowned for Tiger and Lemon sharks, while Bimini is a hotspot for Great Hammerheads. In the western Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (off Mexico, Belize, and Honduras) is a premier location to see Whale Sharks, especially near Isla Mujeres and Holbox from June to September. Caribbean Reef Sharks are common on almost every healthy reef system, particularly in the Roatán area of Honduras. For those who prefer "gentle" encounters, Shark Ray Alley in Belize is famous for dozens of resident Nurse Sharks that are used to human presence. In 2026, conservation efforts have made shark sightings more common; however, you are much more likely to see these "bigger" species in the north and west, while the Lesser Antilles in the east typically hosts smaller reef and nurse sharks.