Shark
Great hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
The largest hammerhead, seen singly at Protea Banks in the warmer months, often shadowing the scalloped hammerhead schools; a tall sickle dorsal and broad head make it unmistakable.
- Max size
- Up to ~5.5m
- Habitat
- Coastal and offshore warm water
Best places to dive with Great hammerhead
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | occasional |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Roughly October–May, peaking March–April at Protea Banks.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | occasional |
At Tiger Beach great hammerheads are a winter bonus, not the reason to come — occasional between December and March and never reliable. The dependable great hammerhead diving in the Bahamas is at Bimini, about 100km south, where they aggregate in shallow water from roughly December to March with January and February strongest; those are also baited dives, in around 6m of water. Divers specifically after hammerheads should book Bimini rather than Tiger Beach.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- The Sharks of Protea Banks — Wetpixel / Don Silcock