Sharks in Puerto Rico
Written by: Captain Alberto Jimenez
After more than two decades navigating Puerto Rico's waters, I've encountered virtually every shark species that calls our Caribbean home. From the gentle nurse sharks sleeping in shallow caves to the magnificent tiger sharks that patrol our deeper reefs, these apex predators represent both the beauty and power of our marine ecosystem. At Curate Fishing, our extensive experience with Puerto Rico's shark populations allows us to provide accurate information about these remarkable creatures, whether you're seeking fishing adventures, diving encounters, or simply want to understand the sharks that share our waters.
Are There Sharks in Puerto Rico?
Yes, Puerto Rico's waters are home to a diverse population of shark species—and that's excellent news for our marine ecosystem. At least 42 species belonging to 15 families of sharks have been confirmed to exist in U.S. Caribbean waters based on specimen collections and DNA sequences. These range from the tiny Antilles catshark, measuring just 1.5 feet, to massive whale sharks that can reach lengths of up to 40 feet.
Why Sharks Thrive in Puerto Rico Waters:
Our unique geographical position creates the perfect conditions for shark diversity. The island sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, providing varied marine environments from shallow coral reefs to deep ocean trenches. The Puerto Rico Trench, which plunges over 30,000 feet deep just miles from our coast, creates upwelling currents that attract pelagic species while our extensive reef systems support resident populations.
The Reality of Shark Encounters:
Despite hosting numerous shark species, actual encounters with these predators remain relatively rare for most visitors. Shark attacks in Puerto Rico are quite rare. The last shark attack in Puerto Rico was on Vieques, in 2011. This rarity stems from several factors: most shark species active during daylight hours prefer deeper waters, many species are naturally shy around humans, and our healthy fish populations provide abundant natural prey, reducing any interest in human interaction.
Shark Attacks in Puerto Rico
The statistics surrounding shark attacks in Puerto Rico tell a reassuring story for anyone concerned about safety in our waters. Over the past century, from 1900 to the present day, fewer than 20 shark attacks have been recorded in Puerto Rico, with only 10 classified as unprovoked and a mere four resulting in fatalities.
Historical Shark Attack Data
The 2011 Vieques Incident:
The last shark attack in Puerto Rico was on Vieques, in 2011. This incident occurred in Mosquito Bay during a bioluminescent bay tour, highlighting the extremely unusual nature of shark encounters in Puerto Rico waters. The attack prompted temporary restrictions on swimming in the bioluminescent bay, though these have since been relaxed with proper safety protocols in place.
Why Attacks Are So Rare:
The reason for rare shark attacks in Puerto Rico is that sharks don't consider humans a food source. The island sees an average of around 4 million visitors per year, and over the last 100 years, there have been fewer than 20 shark attacks in Puerto Rico. This translates to an extraordinarily low probability—statistically, you're more likely to be injured driving to the beach than encountering a shark while swimming.
Comparative Context:
To put Puerto Rico's shark attack statistics in perspective, the majority of shark attacks in the Caribbean have occurred in the Bahamas, with two reported last year, one of them fatal. The Bahamas' higher incident rate correlates directly with increased shark tourism activities and higher volumes of people in the water during organized shark encounters.
What Types of Sharks Live Near Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico's diverse marine environments support an impressive variety of shark species, each adapted to specific ecological niches within our archipelago's waters.
Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
Most Common Species
The most common shark species that is found in Puerto Rico is the Caribbean Reef Shark. This type of shark can grow up to 8 feet long and feeds mainly on fish and small marine animals. These robust predators represent the quintessential Caribbean shark experience.
Physical Characteristics:
Length: Typically 6.5-8 feet (maximum 9.8 feet)
Weight: Up to 150 pounds
Coloration: Dark gray or gray-brown above, white below
Distinguishing features: No prominent fin markings, stocky build
Behavior and Habitat: Caribbean reef sharks patrol coral reefs and drop-offs, typically found in depths from 30-60 feet but ranging from shallow lagoons to 1,200-foot depths. Caribbean reef sharks are sometimes seen resting motionless on the sea floor or inside caves; it is the first active shark species in which such behavior was reported. This unusual "sleeping" behavior, first documented in caves off Mexico's Isla Mujeres, remains one of the most fascinating aspects of this species.
Safety Considerations: They are not considered dangerous to humans, but they may become aggressive if provoked. As our most frequently encountered species, Caribbean reef sharks deserve respect and appropriate distance during any water activities.
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
The Apex Predator
Bull sharks have been spotted in the waters around Puerto Rico. They are known to inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers. These powerful predators represent one of the few species capable of transitioning between saltwater and freshwater environments.
Physical Characteristics:
Length: Up to 11.5 feet
Weight: Up to 500 pounds
Build: Stocky, muscular body with broad, flat head
Behavior: Highly territorial and aggressive when threatened
Habitat Preferences: Bull sharks frequent Puerto Rico's estuaries, river mouths, and shallow coastal areas. Their ability to tolerate freshwater allows them to venture far up river systems, making them the species most likely to be encountered in unexpected locations.
Significance: Bull sharks (Carcharhinus Leucas) are one of the ocean's most fearsome creatures and represent one of the "big three" species responsible for most shark attacks worldwide. However, encounters in Puerto Rico remain extremely rare.
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
The Ocean's Garbage Disposal
Tiger Sharks are found mostly in deeper water near reefs, however they are known to visit river mouths or venture into shallow reef waters. This shark can grow to almost 14 feet long and weigh up to 1,400 lbs, so it is quite a monster in size.
Identification:
Distinctive dark stripes (especially pronounced in juveniles)
Large, broad head with powerful jaws
Maximum recorded length: 18 feet
Behavior: Tiger sharks earn their reputation as indiscriminate feeders, consuming everything from fish and seals to sea turtles and even garbage. This opportunistic feeding behavior occasionally brings them into contact with human activities, though encounters in Puerto Rico waters remain infrequent.
Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
The Gentle Giant
Physical Characteristics:
Length: Up to 10 feet
Weight: Up to 300 pounds
Color: Brownish with rounded fins
Distinctive features: Broad head, barbels near mouth
Behavior: Nurse Sharks are brownish in color, have a broad head, and their fins are rounded. They can grow to 10 feet long and weigh up to 300 lbs. These docile bottom-dwellers spend most daylight hours resting in caves or under coral ledges, making them popular with divers due to their predictable, non-aggressive nature.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
The Acrobatic Species
Characteristics:
Length: 4-6 feet average
Distinctive black-tipped fins
Torpedo-shaped body with pointed snout
Habitat and Behavior: Blacktip Reef Sharks are very shy and will often swim away if humans approach; however they do spend a lot of time in shallow waters, so interaction with these Puerto Rico sharks is very possible when you're even just swimming near the beach.
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The Gentle Giant
The largest fish in the ocean occasionally graces Puerto Rico's waters, particularly during winter months when plankton concentrations increase.
Characteristics:
Length: Up to 40+ feet
Diet: Filter feeder (plankton, small fish)
Behavior: Completely harmless to humans
Status: Endangered species
Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus)
The Tail Whip Specialist
Thresher sharks are occasionally encountered in Puerto Rico's deeper offshore waters, distinguished by their remarkably long tail fin that can comprise up to half their total body length.
Physical Characteristics:
Length: 10-20 feet (including tail)
Weight: Up to 750 pounds
Distinctive feature: Extremely long upper tail lobe
Coloration: Dark blue-gray above, white below
Behavior and Habitat: These pelagic sharks use their elongated tail as a weapon, stunning schools of fish with powerful tail slaps before feeding. Thresher sharks prefer deeper waters beyond the continental shelf but occasionally venture into shallower areas while following bait fish migrations.
Encounters: While not commonly seen near shore, thresher sharks may be encountered during deep-sea fishing expeditions or while diving at advanced sites like Desecheo Island or Mona Island, particularly during winter months when they follow seasonal prey movements.
Are There Great White Sharks in Puerto Rico?
This question frequently arises among visitors, and the answer requires careful explanation. On very rare occasions, Great White Sharks were seen in Puerto Rico. It even came to a non-fatal accident in 1966. Since then, no further Great White incidents were reported.
The Reality of Great White Presence:
Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) represent an extremely rare visitor to Puerto Rico's waters. The 1966 incident represents the only confirmed interaction between a great white and a human in Puerto Rico's recorded history. Several factors explain this rarity:
Temperature Preferences: Great whites prefer cooler waters (typically 60-75°F), while Puerto Rico's tropical waters average 78-82°F year-round.
Prey Availability: Great whites primarily hunt marine mammals (seals, sea lions), which are absent from Puerto Rico's ecosystem.
Migration Patterns: Great white migration routes typically follow cooler currents along continental coasts rather than through Caribbean waters.
Occasional Sightings: When great whites do appear in Puerto Rico, it's typically during unusual oceanographic conditions, such as cooler upwelling events or while following prey species like tuna during their migrations.
Deep-Water Species
Six-Gill Shark (Hexanchus sp.)
The six-gill shark Hexanchus sp., was recorded during Dive 6 of the Océando Profundo 2018 expedition swimming around ROV Deep Discoverer at a depth of 672 meters (2,205 feet). These primitive sharks inhabit Puerto Rico's deep waters but remain far from typical diving or fishing depths.
Catshark Species
A catshark in the genus Scyliorhinus was observed swimming in its natural environment during both the 2015 and 2018 Okeanos Explorer expeditions to this this region. These small, harmless sharks populate deeper reef areas and represent important components of the ecosystem.
Shark Fishing in Puerto Rico
Shark fishing in Puerto Rico offers some of the Caribbean's most thrilling angling experiences, combining the challenge of targeting apex predators with the opportunity to participate in important marine conservation through catch-and-release practices.
Regulations and Conservation
Federal and Local Guidelines:
No permit or license is required for recreational fishing in federal waters. Anglers are responsible for abiding by all federal and state fishing regulations and obtaining any state license required. However, shark fishing involves specific considerations:
Prohibited Species: Several shark species receive complete protection under federal regulations Size and Bag Limits: Vary by species and are subject to seasonal changes Circle Hook Requirements: Mandatory for all shark fishing to reduce injury and improve release survival Shark Identification: Critical for compliance—misidentification can result in significant penalties
Charter Fishing Advantages:
Any angler on a registered charter will not need to get their own license. More importantly, experienced captains ensure compliance with all regulations while maximizing fishing success through knowledge of seasonal patterns, optimal locations, and proper techniques.
Target Species for Fishing
Caribbean Reef Sharks
These abundant species provide excellent fishing opportunities while contributing to conservation research through tag-and-release programs. Most Caribbean reef sharks caught on fishing charters range from 4-6 feet, providing exciting fights on appropriate tackle.
Nurse Sharks
Popular targets for families and novice shark anglers due to their docile nature and predictable feeding patterns. Nurse sharks readily take natural baits and provide educational opportunities about shark behavior and conservation.
Blacktip Sharks
We also caught a bar jack and lemon shark while baitfishing. These smaller, acrobatic sharks offer spectacular aerial displays during the fight, making them favorites among sport fishing enthusiasts.
Lemon Sharks
Occasionally encountered in Puerto Rico's shallower waters, lemon sharks provide excellent sport fishing opportunities and contribute valuable data to regional research programs.
Optimal Fishing Locations
West Coast Deep Waters
The waters off Rincon and Cabo Rojo provide access to both resident reef species and visiting pelagics. The deep clear waters off Rincon and Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico offer some of the greatest fishing in the world.
South Coast Wall Fishing
The dramatic depth changes along Puerto Rico's south coast create ideal conditions for shark fishing, with depths dropping from 100 feet to over 1,000 feet within short distances.
North Coast Offshore
The deeper waters north of San Juan and Arecibo offer opportunities for larger pelagic species, including occasional tiger and bull sharks.
Techniques and Equipment
Bottom Fishing for Reef Species
Using fresh or prepared baits (barracuda, mackerel, or squid) on appropriate circle hooks, targeting known reef structures and drop-offs where Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks concentrate.
Drift Fishing for Pelagics
Allowing baits to drift naturally with current while maintaining contact with deeper water columns where larger species patrol.
Chumming Strategies
Creating scent trails using fish oil and ground bait to attract sharks from considerable distances—a technique requiring experience to execute safely and effectively.
Conservation-Focused Techniques
All shark fishing with Curate employs barbless circle hooks, quick-release techniques, and participation in local tag-and-release programs contributing to regional shark research.
Seasonal Considerations
Winter Months (December-March)
Cooler water temperatures may bring different species closer to shore, including occasional visitors from northern ranges.
Summer Months (June-September)
Peak activity periods for most resident species, with increased feeding activity during early morning and late afternoon periods.
Hurricane Season Awareness
Weather patterns can significantly affect shark behavior and fishing success, requiring flexible planning and safety considerations.
Shark Diving in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico offers some of the Caribbean's most accessible shark diving experiences, ranging from casual encounters with nurse sharks to advanced expeditions targeting larger species in deep water.
Popular Shark Diving Locations
Cayo Lobito (Nurse Shark Haven)
Maybe they should've named this site "the Hospital" because nurses are everywhere—nurse sharks, that is. On this 75-foot dive, jacks and barracuda keep the sharks company. This site consistently provides encounters with multiple nurse sharks in a controlled, shallow-water environment ideal for photographers and novice divers.
Diving Conditions:
Depth: 40-75 feet
Visibility: Often exceeding 80 feet
Current: Generally mild
Best for: Intermediate to advanced divers
Vieques Diving
Mosquito Pier and Surrounding Reefs
Vieques offers unique opportunities to observe Caribbean reef sharks in their natural habitat, with several sites featuring regular shark sightings combined with exceptional coral formations.
Desecheo Island
Remote Deep-Water Encounters
Just 12 miles off the coast of Rincón is the small island of Desecheo, a National Wildlife Refuge with some of the best-preserved coral reefs in Puerto Rico. Desecheo provides Puerto Rico's most adventurous shark diving, with opportunities to encounter larger species in pristine conditions.
What to Expect:
Species: Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, occasional tiger sharks
Visibility: Up to 100+ feet
Depth: 60-130 feet
Difficulty: Advanced diving experience recommended
Mona Island Expeditions
The "Galapagos of the Caribbean"
With the variety of caves, hard and soft corals, the plethora of big animals, from sharks to humpback whales and high-voltage currents, it's like diving the Galapagos Islands, but in warmer waters.
Mona Island represents Puerto Rico's ultimate shark diving destination, accessible only through specialized liveaboard expeditions or advanced day trips.
Advanced Shark Encounters:
Multiple large species possible
Pristine reef conditions
Professional guide requirements
Weather-dependent access
South Coast Wall Diving
The Puerto Rico Trench
The destination: a hanging section of the continental shelf off the southern-side of the island known as "The Wall", aka the Puerto Rico trench. This dramatic underwater topography creates conditions where pelagic sharks venture close to diveable depths.
Unique Characteristics:
Dramatic depth changes (shallow to 5+ miles deep)
Pelagic species opportunities
Advanced diving skills required
Professional supervision essential
Shark Diving Safety and Ethics
Professional Operations
Our dive boats are inspected and licensed by the USCG and we are fully endorsed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Department and Natural Resources Department. Choosing established, certified operators ensures both safety and environmental responsibility.
Safety Protocols:
Buddy System Enforcement: When you take an introductory scuba course, you learn the importance of having a dive buddy for doing pre-dive equipment checks, assuring an unfamiliar, nervous, or inexperienced diver, and providing an air source in the event that your buddy runs out of air or their equipment malfunctions.
Equipment Standards: All reputable operators provide or require specific safety equipment including surface signaling devices, first aid equipment, and emergency communication systems.
Behavioral Guidelines: Proper shark interaction protocols emphasizing observation over interaction, maintaining appropriate distances, and avoiding actions that might stress or agitate sharks.
What to Expect During Shark Dives
Caribbean Reef Shark Encounters
Most shark diving in Puerto Rico centers around Caribbean reef shark observations. These encounters typically involve:
Sharks maintaining distance while investigating divers
Natural feeding behavior observations
Opportunities for photography and videography
Educational components about shark behavior and conservation
Nurse Shark Interactions
Maybe they should've named this site "the Hospital" because nurses are everywhere—nurse sharks, that is. Nurse shark encounters provide more relaxed, predictable experiences, often allowing:
Close-range observation of resting sharks
Photography opportunities
Extended observation periods
Ideal introduction to shark diving for nervous divers
Seasonal Variations
Winter Months: Increased visibility and potential for unusual species Summer Months: Peak activity periods and optimal conditions Year-round Opportunities: Unlike many destinations, Puerto Rico's tropical climate allows shark diving throughout the year
Certification Requirements
Open Water Certification Minimum
Most shark diving sites require Open Water certification or equivalent, though some shallow nurse shark sites accommodate Discover Scuba participants under direct supervision.
Advanced Certifications Recommended
Sites like Desecheo and Mona benefit from Advanced Open Water certification, with some operators requiring advanced credentials for deeper or more challenging locations.
Specialty Training Available
For students interested in jumpstarting their OPEN WATER PADI CERTIFICATION before arriving in Puerto Rico, the academic portion of the course is now available online through PADI. Local dive operations offer shark diving specialty courses and advanced training programs.
Conservation and Research
Puerto Rico's shark populations face the same global pressures affecting shark species worldwide, but local conservation efforts provide hope for maintaining healthy populations.
Current Research Projects
Tagging and Tracking Programs
Local research institutions collaborate with charter operators and dive centers to collect data on shark movements, behavior, and population dynamics through tag-and-release programs.
Genetic Studies
The incidental capture of sharks by fishers has added valuable information on the identity, as well as geographic and depth distribution, of sharks in deep waters (100 to 500 meters; 328 to 1,640 feet) surrounding the U.S. Caribbean.
Conservation Challenges
Habitat Protection
Maintaining healthy coral reef systems essential for shark nursery areas and feeding grounds requires ongoing conservation efforts addressing pollution, coastal development, and climate change impacts.
Fishing Pressure
While Puerto Rico's shark attack statistics demonstrate these predators pose minimal threat to humans, they remain vulnerable to overfishing pressures both locally and throughout their Caribbean range.
How Curate Fishing Supports Conservation
Research Participation
Our charter operations contribute to ongoing research through:
Tag-and-release programs for all shark encounters
Data collection on shark sightings and behavior
Collaboration with marine biologists and research institutions
GPS logging of encounter locations and conditions
Education and Awareness
Every Curate fishing and diving charter includes educational components about:
Shark biology and behavior
Conservation challenges facing shark populations
Proper handling and release techniques
The ecological importance of apex predators
Sustainable Practices
Circle hook requirements for all shark fishing
Barbless hook modifications for easier release
Quick-release techniques minimizing stress
Participation in citizen science programs
Planning Your Shark Adventure with Curate Fishing
Whether you're seeking the thrill of shark fishing or the wonder of diving with these apex predators, Curate Fishing provides the expertise, equipment, and local knowledge necessary for safe, successful, and conservation-minded shark encounters.
Fishing Expeditions
Half-Day Shark Fishing (4-6 hours)
Target species: Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, blacktip sharks
Techniques: Bottom fishing, drift fishing
Includes: All equipment, bait, instruction, and conservation education
Full-Day Offshore Adventures (8 hours)
Extended range to deep-water shark habitats
Opportunities for larger species encounters
Combination fishing/diving options available
Professional photography services
Seasonal Recommendations
Optimal Conditions:
Visibility: Best during winter months (December-April)
Shark Activity: Peak during summer months (June-September)
Weather: Most stable conditions April-June and September-November
Booking Considerations:
Advanced booking recommended for specialized shark expeditions
Weather-dependent rescheduling options
Group discounts available for educational expeditions
Custom itineraries for research or photography groups
Conclusion: Respecting Puerto Rico's Apex Predators
After decades of working in Puerto Rico's waters, I've developed profound respect for the sharks that call our Caribbean home. These apex predators represent both the health of our marine ecosystem and the wonder that draws visitors from around the world. Shark attacks in Puerto Rico are quite rare. The last shark attack in Puerto Rico was on Vieques, in 2011. This remarkable safety record, combined with our diverse shark populations, creates unique opportunities for both fishing and diving enthusiasts to experience these magnificent creatures safely and responsibly.
The sharks of Puerto Rico—from the gentle nurse sharks resting in shallow caves to the powerful Caribbean reef sharks patrolling our drop-offs—deserve our respect, understanding, and protection. Through responsible fishing practices, ethical diving operations, and ongoing conservation efforts, we can ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the thrill and wonder of encountering these apex predators in their natural habitat.
At Curate Fishing, we're committed to providing these experiences while contributing to the long-term conservation of Puerto Rico's shark populations. Whether you're casting a line hoping for the fight of a lifetime or descending into the blue seeking a close encounter with nature's most perfect predator, we'll ensure your shark adventure in Puerto Rico is both unforgettable and conservation-minded.
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