Cuba’s Bold Underwater Adventure: Swimming with Bull Sharks

The shark suddenly veers towards me, swimming with alarming speed.

Between us lies only open water—no protective cage—while the bull shark, often considered the most dangerous of its kind, closes in.

Doubts start to creep in as I reconsider the wisdom of this assignment.

Before we plunged into the ocean, my Cuban dive instructor, Oromelio 'Oro' Rodriguez Salabarría, reassured me that no client of his had ever been bitten by a shark—not even a small nip.

I had enlisted local guides and spent weeks navigating Cuba’s complex bureaucracy to arrange a dive with these sharks. The Shark Friends Dive Center, located in the remote beach town of Playa Santa Lucía, is the only place in Cuba—and one of the few worldwide—where divers can safely swim with bull sharks.

With over 350 sharp teeth, a powerful build, and a history of attacking boats and humans, bull sharks have earned a fearsome reputation. Despite this, attacks on people are rare, though bull sharks are often hunted for their fins, liver, and skin.

More and more governments, including Cuba, are embracing shark protection, realizing that close encounters with these creatures can attract visitors rather than scare them away. Cuba is now offering tour packages that combine its famous old cars and cigars with thrilling dives alongside these toothy predators.

Dan Whittle, senior director at the Environmental Defense Fund, explained, 'People travel to Cuba from all over the world to swim with the sharks.' His organization worked with the Cuban government, local scientists, and fisheries in 2015 to implement stronger marine life protections.

'A living shark in the water at some of these national parks is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,' Whittle said. He estimates that shark tourism in Cuba generates millions of dollars annually.

Oro, a seasoned scuba instructor with over 20 years of experience leading shark dives, is passionate about the allure of these creatures. 'It's the myth of the shark as a dangerous, man-eating predator that fascinates people,' says Oro.

'Then you see a shark just a meter and a half away, and when you surface, you think, 'This is the best dive of my life!'

A rapidly expanding industry

While shark tourism in Cuba remains a smaller-scale operation, guides are optimistic that the island’s untouched reefs and increased efforts to protect around 100 species of native sharks will attract visitors, especially those slow to return since the pandemic.

Before the pandemic, the dive center in Playa Santa Lucía was a popular destination for shark enthusiasts worldwide. Now, however, visitors are few. Carrie Prevost, a Canadian tourist, was one of the rare few who chose to swim with the bull sharks on her recent trip.

'This is a world I don’t belong in, but it’s thrilling to have the chance. I’m both excited and nervous at once,' she shared with Dinogo.

As she prepared for her first dive, Prevost confessed that the theme from the movie 'Jaws' was playing in her mind while suiting up.

'I watched the movie when I was very young, and it made me afraid of swimming in pools, let alone the ocean. So, this is a real challenge for me,' she explained.

Marine biologists emphasize that, despite the media frenzy surrounding shark attacks, these creatures rarely pose a threat to humans and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of reefs and fish populations.

Shark diving guides have been working hard to educate the local community, emphasizing to fishermen that sharks can provide a direct economic benefit.

'We encourage the locals not to kill or fish for them. We’re constantly reinforcing this message,' said dive guide Lazaro Suarez Zayas. 'The bull shark isn’t endangered, but it’s native to this area, and as a valuable resource, we must protect them.'

Some guides, who feel a deep connection with the sharks, believe that the animals recognize them.

As soon as Lazaro enters the water for our dive, he spears a few snappers, explaining that he wants to attract the sharks without agitating them too much.

At a depth of over 80 feet, we glide past the wreck of a Spanish ship that sank over a century ago. Lazaro turns to me and gestures by placing his hand above his head in the shape of a fin.

At first, the crystal-clear blue water reveals nothing. Then, out of nowhere, a bull shark appears in front of me.

We settle on the ocean floor as the shark swims around us. It's longer than my body. Another shark appears, and the two quickly devour the fish Lazaro had prepared. He feeds the fish right into the sharks' mouths, pulling his hand away just before their jaws snap shut.

The larger shark fixes its jet-black eyes on me and starts swimming toward my direction. I recall the guides’ advice to remain calm, avoid swimming away, or making any erratic movements that could make me seem vulnerable or easy prey.

Despite my heart racing, I can’t help but appreciate an animal so perfectly adapted to its environment. The shark swims behind me. I turn my head, giving Lazaro and Oro the 'ok' sign.

'It’s just checking me out… I think,' I tell myself.

For a few brief moments, the circling shark completely captivates me, as if nothing else mattered. Will it attack, or get even closer? How much can the guides really do to keep me safe?

Being just a few feet away is an incredible rush – exactly as the guides promised, this is already one of the best dives I’ve ever had. Fortunately, the shark doesn’t seem as intrigued by me as I am by it.

After several close passes, the shark loses interest and gracefully swims away.