Shark Pool is a shallow, sheltered area past the northern end of Coral Gardens where, as marine life writers explain, the dive needs to be timed for the incoming tide: as the sea floods the reef flat, dozens of sharks move into the shallows. The Oceanity guide notes a high chance of encountering sharks here, particularly in summer. Species recorded include whitetip, blacktip, grey reef and tawny nurse sharks, and silvertips are also listed.

Watching several species cruise past in shallow, clear water is a memorable experience, and the sharks are generally unconcerned by calm divers. The site is shallow and easy, making it suitable for Open Water divers, but it depends entirely on timing, so the dive team schedules it according to the tide. Divers should settle at the edge of the reef flat and let the sharks come to them rather than swimming after them.

Photographers will find good light and close passes, but sudden movement quickly disperses the sharks. The reef around the pool also hosts reef fish and turtles. Shark Pool was grouped with Second Reef in the earlier database pass; it is now listed separately as a distinct northern site.

Shark numbers are highest in the warmer months, when reef sharks aggregate in the island's shallows, and lowest in winter, when the dive team is more likely to focus on the manta sites. As with all Lady Elliot sites, no feeding or baiting occurs; the sharks come in naturally with the tide to hunt on the flooded reef flat, which makes the encounter a genuine observation of natural behaviour.

Lady Elliot Island is the southernmost coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef, about 80 km north-east of Bundaberg, and is reached only by the resort's light aircraft from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Brisbane (Redcliffe) or the Gold Coast (baggage limit about 15-16 kg, extra dive-gear weight bookable). From the airstrip, walk to the resort dive shop; boats are launched from the western beach or the lighthouse side and all dive sites are 10 minutes or less by boat. Shark Pool lies past the northern end of Coral Gardens; the resort reaches it by boat, timed for the incoming tide.

The island has a western (lee) side and an eastern (windward) side. Under the prevailing south-east trades the western sites (Lighthouse Bommies, Coral Gardens, the Severance) are sheltered and dived most days; the eastern wall sites (Blowhole, Tubes, Hiro's Cave) need light winds or a westerly/northerly. Swell over about 2 m from the south-east closes the eastern side, and strong northerlies (spring/summer) make the west choppy.

Tidal range is about 2-3 m; currents are strongest at the southern tip. Summer brings warmer water but more plankton and occasional cyclones (November-April). Shark Pool must be timed for the incoming tide, when water floods the reef flat and sharks move in; it is sheltered in south-easterlies.

Enter as the tide begins to flood, settle quietly at the edge of the reef flat in 3-6 m and let the sharks move past you as they come in with the tide. Avoid chasing them; stay low and still.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort's PADI dive shop is the only operator: guided boat dives twice daily (early morning and afternoon, bookings open the day before), plus courses; boat rides are 10 minutes or less and all sites are moored. Day-trip packages from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and the Gold Coast include diving. The resort does not offer shore dives.