Shark
Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)
Stegostoma tigrinum
A docile, bottom-resting carpet shark, spotted as an adult and striped as a juvenile. Called the leopard shark locally in Thailand and the zebra shark elsewhere. Regularly seen resting on the sand between Similan reefs. IUCN lists it Endangered from fishing pressure across its range.
- Max size
- 2.5m
- Habitat
- Sandy patches and reef flats to about 60m; often seen resting motionless on the bottom by day
Best places to dive with Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
The Indo-Pacific leopard (zebra) shark is the region's signature reliable sighting, resting on sandy patches at the Bida islands, Shark Point and Hin Bida through the year. Numbers are best in the calm dry season when boats reach the sites most consistently.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
The leopard (zebra) shark is a docile, spotted resident of several Tofo reefs, often found lying on the sand.
| 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 |
Leopard (zebra) sharks rest on sandy patches around the pinnacles and Koh Ha, most often in the calm dry season.
| 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 |
Indo-Pacific zebra/leopard shark (Stegostoma) resting on sand or reef; reported at Stonehenge and 8 Mile Rock.
| 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 |
Among the more commonly encountered sharks in the Similans, often resting on sand near reef edges through the open season. Sightings vary day to day. Not present during the mid-May to mid-October park closure.
| 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 |
Indo-Pacific zebra/leopard shark, seen resting on sand near Torinla Pinnacle and other reef edges through the season.
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.
- Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) — Wikipedia
- Sharks at the Similan Islands — Similan Dive Center