Shark

Grey nurse shark

Carcharias taurus

IUCN status: VulnerableWidely sought

A slow-growing coastal shark that aggregates at a small number of eastern Australian sites. The east-coast Australian population receives stricter domestic protection than its global assessment implies.

Max size
Up to about 3.2m
Habitat
Coastal sand channels, gutters and caves in warm-temperate waters

Best places to dive with Grey nurse shark

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Byron Bay & Julian Rocks
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarynot seen
Februarynot seen
Marchnot seen
Aprilnot seen
Mayoccasional
Junepeak season
Julypeak season
Augustpeak season
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novembernot seen
Decembernot seen

Winter aggregation is documented; sightings remain probabilistic.

Sydney
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryrare
Februaryrare
Marchrare
Aprilrare
Mayrare
Junerare
Julyrare
Augustrare
Septemberrare
Octoberrare
Novemberrare
Decemberrare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 1 source and checking notes