
Cat Island's Sharks and Greenwood Beach Resort
04 November 2024
Reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, lemon sharks, bull sharks, great whites... there are destinations around the world where divers can expect reliable encounters with these apex predators. By contrast, there are relatively few places where humans can cross paths with one of the more elusive members of the shark family– the oceanic white-tip shark.
True to their name, oceanic white tips patrol offshore waters in topic and sub-tropic regions. Divers will sometimes cross paths with these sharks in the offshore islands of the southern Red Sea where deep water runs close to land. But the world's most reliable encounters take place near an island in the Central Bahamas.

Located some 100 miles southeast of the Bahamian capital of Nassau, Cat Island perches on the edge of the Continental shelf, with mile-deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean running close to shore. While other islands in the world have similar underwater topography, there's something special about the waters of Cat Island that attract seasonal gatherings of oceanic white-tip sharks.
White tips are typically solitary hunters that cover vast areas of open water, moving at an energy-conserving pace as they search for food. Tagging research shows that at certain times of the year individual sharks converge on a common meeting ground to mate. And Cat Island happens to be a favorite place for these shark romances. Mating activity begins in April and runs through early June. That's when divers have unique opportunities for up-close interactions.
Meetings In Blue Water

Meeting oceanic white tips is a different experience from most other shark encounters. At most shark feeds and guided encounters divers either rest on the seabed, remain in a cage or remain close to a prominent underwater feature such as a pinnacle that provides a fixed reference point. By contrast, white tips patrol near the surface in very deep water, adding a three-dimensional element that requires divers to more carefully monitor their depth.
White tip encounters are not feeding events, though a bait box is used to lure the sharks to divers. Because they hunt in what is essentially a vast blue water desert where meals can be far and few between, white tips are adept at picking up the scent of food at great distances. They are also opportunistic hunters willing to wait for a meal and circle patiently at an energy-saving pace rather than rush in for an attack. This behavior works to divers' advantage as the mere scent of a meal is enough to keep the sharks in close proximity for hours.
White tips methodical and patient stalking behaviors have eared them notoriety for shadowing shipwreck victims floating in rafts or life vests. But because bubble-blowing divers suspended in the water column are not a familiar food item to white tips, the sharks are typically curious rather than aggressive. They will often approach quite close to divers, then usually shy away from these unfamiliar intruders at the last moment.
Actual attacks on humans are quite rate, and the sad reality is that we humans are by far the more dangerous species. Oceanic white tip numbers have declined significantly in the past 20 years, and they are listed as a threatened species under the Endangers Species Act.
Diving With Greenwood Resort

Cat Island's top choice for divers is the Greenwood Beach Resort. This 14-room property sits on an eight-mile swath of pristine pink-sand beach on the island's southeastern shore. The resort has a laid-back vibe and a personal approach to hospitality that earns it top marks from guests. Rooms deliver the amenities one would expect from a modern, mid-range resort, plus refreshing sea breezes and sweeping views of the ocean from private terraces.

It's an ideal setting for a relaxing out-island escape, and divers have a bonus, as the resort is just minutes away from the island's southern shore, where one of the most spectacular walls in the Bahamas begins just yards from shore. There are 20 dives sites spaced along this massive underwater cliff, which begin at depths as shallow as 40 feet. Diving with Greenwood is a memorable experience any time of the year, but it is the spring mating season that draws divers from around the world for trips beyond the wall to meet white-tips.

In addition to diving, Greenwood offers kiteboarding and sailing charters. Self-guided or guided walking tours provide an opportunity to explore the island's rich history and heritage while discovering a more authentic side of the Bahamas. Cat Island can be reached by way of short commuter flights from New Providence Island as well as direct flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Caradonna agents can create a custom air-inclusive itinerary for white tip encounters and Cat Island diving adventures at any time of the year.