What Divers Should Know About Basking Sharks

Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) are an impressive sight, holding the title of the second-largest shark and fish globally, surpassed only by the whale shark. These gentle giants typically measure around 7.9 meters (26 ft), though some magnificent individuals have been recorded exceeding 10 meters (33 ft). Their greyish-brown, often mottled skin, and characteristically wide, white-lined mouths make them easily identifiable as one of only three plankton-eating shark species. This species earns its common name from its habit of slowly feeding at the ocean's surface, appearing to "bask" in the warmer waters.

Encountering a basking shark is a truly special experience. Divers in temperate oceans worldwide might spot them in coastal-pelagic zones, ranging from the continental shelf to occasionally entering bays close to land. While these sharks can venture down to at least 910 meters (2,990 ft), their pursuit of plankton often brings them to the surface, making them accessible to divers. Despite their immense size, basking sharks are slow-moving, non-aggressive filter feeders, posing no threat to humans. You might observe them alone or as part of a small shoal, gracefully navigating the waters.