White shark

A white shark once swam from South Africa to Australia and back, the fastest known ocean-crossing return trip of any swimming animal.

On that trip it dived to 980 m, into water as cold as 3.4°C.

White sharks are partly warm-blooded, which helps them hunt in cool water.

In 2005, scientists reported a white shark that swam from South Africa to Australia and back. It was the fastest known ocean-crossing return trip of any swimming animal.

Source: Bonfil et al., 2005, Science, transoceanic migration of white sharks

On that journey across the Indian Ocean, the white shark dived to 980 m and swam through water as cold as 3.4°C.

Source: Bonfil et al., 2005, Science, transoceanic migration of white sharks

Mexico closed Guadalupe Island to white shark cage diving in 2023. The island's protected area plan no longer allows watching white sharks for fun, to stop the use of bait and cages there.

Source: Divernet, 2023, Guadalupe shark-dive ban made permanent (CONANP)

At Gansbaai, South Africa, white sharks have become very rare since two orcas began hunting them around 2017. A September 2026 report says the last one recorded there was in October 2025, and bronze whaler sharks are now the main shark seen.

Source: Sunday Times (South Africa), 20 Sep 2026, shark-cage diving in Gansbaai

At the Neptune Islands in South Australia, licensed tours may use up to 100 kg of minced fish a day to attract sharks, but feeding the sharks is not allowed.

Source: South Australia, White Shark Tour Licensing Policy, 2017