The Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) - also known as the sand tiger shark or spotted ragged-tooth shark - is one of four species belonging to the family Odontaspididae.
The species has a large, rather stout body and is grey to grey-brown dorsally, with a paler off white underbelly. Reddish or brownish spots may occur on the caudal fin and posterior half of the body, particularly in juveniles. The species has a conical snout, long awl-like teeth in both jaws (with single lateral cusplets), similarly sized first and second dorsal fin and an asymmetrical caudal fin. Grey nurse sharks grow to 360cm total length. The grey nurse shark is a slow but strong swimmer and is generally more active at night.
Grey nurse sharks are often observed just above the sea bed in or near deep sandy-bottomed gutters or rocky caves, in the vicinity of inshore rocky reefs and islands. The diet of the adult grey nurse shark consists of a wide range of fish, other sharks, squids, crabs and lobsters.
Grey nurse sharks have a broad inshore distribution, primarily in subtropical to cool temperate waters around the main continental landmasses. In Australia, grey nurse sharks have been regularly reported from Mooloolaba in southern Queensland, around most of the southern half of the continent (excluding the Great Australian Bight), and northward to Shark Bay in Western Australia. The grey nurse shark has been recorded as far north as Cairns in the east, the North West Shelf in the west and also in the Arafura Sea.
Until recently, the grey nurse shark had an undeserved reputation in Australia as a man-eater. Harding (1990) found that it is not a threat to divers or swimmers unless provoked. Many shark attacks in Australia have been attributed incorrectly to the grey nurse shark (Whitley, 1983) often due to its fierce appearance. The grey nurse shark's reputation led to indiscriminate killing of the species by a spear and line fishers. Current threats to the species are believed to be an incidental catch in other shark fisheries, recreational fishing and to a much lesser extent beach meshing.
Check the Grey Nurse Dives
Note:If conditions make the planned site unsuitable, then another site will be selected for the dive.
Dive
Start Date
Magic Point - Boat
Saturday 25 Jan 2025
Start Date:
Sat 25 Jan 2025 at 12:00
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
Get ready for an unforgettable underwater adventure! Join us for a shark dive like no other, where you'll come face-to-face with the majestic grey nurse shark. These gentle giants, often misunderstood, are fascinating creatures with a unique appearance and a calm demeanor. Immerse yourself in their world, witness their graceful movements, and gain a deeper appreciation for these incredible animals. Join Jess our marine biologist here at Abyss Scuba Diving as you depart 7am for a dive to observe the fascinating Grey Nurse Shark at Bushrangers Bay, she will ensure your safety and provide you with valuable insights into the behavior and ecology of grey nurse sharks.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
This will be a great dive with a heap of marine life, schools of fish and maybe even the odd grey nurse shark. Shell harbour is an hour drive south of the dive centre. So for this dive we leave Abyss at early do the 2 dives and generally get back around 4pm. We'll have abundant marine life and schools of fish to explore as well as the possibility of spotting some gray nurse sharks. Please note that if the weather conditions are unfavorable, then another site may be chosen instead. Lastly, please keep in mind that transport is not included with this experience.
The Magic Point shark dive is a double boat dive. This site has a maximum depth of 24m but can easily be done at 15m. The site is renowned for its grey nurse sharks. Additionally, weedy sea dragons can be spotted at the sand line.
If the conditions are too rough for the site, we will relocate to another location.
The boat will depart at the scheduled time from the Sans Souci Public Fishing Wharf off Riverside Drive. This location is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle. Please arrive at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour before departure to collect any rental dive gear.
