Shark
Brownbanded bamboo shark
Chiloscyllium punctatum
A small, bottom-dwelling carpet shark of the Indo-West Pacific. Juveniles carry dark banding that fades with age. Nocturnal and sedentary, so daytime sightings mean spotting one wedged under a coral head rather than swimming. Assessed Near Threatened globally on the IUCN Red List, mainly from fisheries pressure and habitat loss.
- Max size
- 1.2m
- Habitat
- Shallow reef and rubble, tucked under coral heads and ledges by day
Best places to dive with Brownbanded bamboo shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
The most reliably reported shark at Con Dao, cited by local operators on the shallow reefs at Hon Cau and Bay Canh. It is small and resting, not a pelagic encounter. Con Dao has no dependable big-shark diving.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Found tucked under boulders and inside wreck structure at Tokong Laut, the Police Wreck and San Choi Wreck at the Perhentians. A guide who knows the ledges will usually turn one up; divers looking on their own often miss them because the sharks sit motionless in shadow. Most active at night.
Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Con Dao Dive Center — Day Trip, Con Dao Dive Center
- Scuba Diving Con Dao Island, Rainbow Divers Vietnam