hand feeding sharks…
Let’s talk about hand feeding sharks. It’s taken me a long time to fully organize my thoughts on this, but I’ve reached the point where staying silent feels more harmful than speaking out. Some competitors may not like what I have to say, but my hope is that others can learn and grow from it. In every industry, there are those who do things the wrong way their entire careers without ever changing. Then there are others who, after years of following a certain practice, realize there’s a better path and evolve.
So, what is hand feeding? It’s when a shark takes food directly from your hand, with no space between you and the bait as it bites. This is very different from chumming sharks to a boat or indirectly feeding them without direct hand contact—more on that later.
In my early days, I frequently hand-fed sharks, both in and out of the water. I thought nothing of it. I even taught many others how to do it. And yes, it’s thrilling—the rush of having a shark take food from your hand is incredible.
But my perspective has changed greatly. Back then, there were only a handful of boats offering snorkeling trips—maybe three. Scuba boats were doing it more often, but overall, it was rare. Sharks didn’t experience hand feeding enough for it to cause problems.
Now, however, things are different. With the explosion of Instagram, personal egos, and the rapid growth of shark ecotourism (often led by inexperienced operators or guides), hand feeding has become a “monkey see, monkey do” trend. Many dives have shifted focus—from showcasing the sharks themselves to showcasing divers trying to outdo each other with risky behaviors.
What I’ve learned over time is that this is not the way, and here’s why:
First and foremost, it is entirely possible to run an incredible shark dive without hand feeding or altering their natural behavior. In fact, not hand feeding often leads to better encounters, as the relaxed energy of the sharks creates a more inviting environment for species like hammerheads, tigers, and other wildlife to approach. It also provides guests with a non-invasive and authentic opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural state.
It distracts from the purpose of the experience. Most people book shark trips to see the sharks, not to watch humans put on a show. The beauty of being in the ocean lies in observing its creatures in their natural behavior and feeling the connection it gives us. Hand feeding disrupts this, turning a calm, awe-inspiring dive into something high-energy, and often chaotic.
Over years of observation, I’ve seen how hand feeding makes sharks see peoples hands as a food dispenser. The more operators that do it and the more its done per operation. The worse the effect becomes. It is worse with some species then others. But for example hand feeding bull sharks directly is a huge mistake.
Lastly, hand feeding is dangerous for the person doing it. Sharks don’t see us as food, but they do target the fish being held—which is directly connected to the diver’s hand. We rely on our hands for far too many important things. I’ll let you imagine the potential consequences of an accident.
So, if this is the case, why do people still hand feed sharks? In my opinion, there are three main reasons sometimes it is a combo of them for me when I did it was a mix of all 3
Inexperience and the thrill. Many guides who are new to working with sharks don’t fully understand the dangers or the negative effects hand feeding can have. For them, it’s like discovering a new drug—addicting because of the adrenaline and the incredible feeling it brings
Desensitization. Others have been doing it for so long that they’ve become desensitized to the risks and consequences. This was me at one point. I hand-fed sharks for years without giving much thought to the bigger picture, simply because it felt normal.
Ego and showmanship. For some, it becomes more about putting on a show or impressing others than focusing on the sharks themselves. They prioritize the spectacle over the health of the animals or the quality of the experience for clients.
Understanding these motivations is key to shifting perspectives and creating better practices in the shark diving industry.
These realizations have shifted my perspective on hand feeding. I believe it’s time for the industry to reflect on these practices and make changes—for the safety of the sharks, the divers, and the integrity of the experiences we’re offering.
Visit www.xelaexpeditions.com for shark snorkeling experiences.