Leopard shark (zebra shark)
A docile, spotted shark that gathers in summer at Julian Rocks, North Stradbroke and Cook Island in numbers seen nowhere else.
Stegostoma tigrinum
Known as the leopard shark in Australia and the zebra shark elsewhere, this 2.5 m bottom-resting shark is a summer visitor to the subtropical east coast, where it aggregates at Julian Rocks (Byron Bay), Manta Bommie and Shag Rock (North Stradbroke), Cook Island (Tweed) and the Gold Coast reefs in numbers that draw divers from around the world. They rest on the sand in groups of ten or more and tolerate close approach.
Field notes
How to find leopard shark (zebra shark) on the dive
- Depth
- 8–20 m, on sand.
- Habitat
- Sand flats beside subtropical reefs in summer: Julian Rocks, North Stradbroke, the Gold Coast, Flinders Reef, and Ningaloo in the west. November to April on the east coast.
- The tell
- A long, spotted shark lying flat on the sand with a tail almost as long as its body, often several within sight. They rest during the day near the reef edge, usually in a slight depression.
- Behaviour
- Docile and slow; they lie still while divers pass and swim off lazily if approached too closely. They aggregate in numbers on the warm-water months and disappear when the water cools.
- Etiquette
- Approach from the side at their level, stay on the sand, do not touch or lie on them for a photo. A resting shark that swims off has been disturbed.
- Photographing them
- Wide or mid-range lens from low on the sand, side-on to show the tail.
Season heat map
When leopard shark (zebra shark) sites are in season
Share of the 22 leopard shark (zebra shark) sites with a stated best season that includes each month.
Stated season: December–April; peak January–March.
Best sites for leopard shark (zebra shark)53 sites
Ordered by how regularly the site is dived and how well it is documented. The species is listed in each site's recorded marine life; sightings are never guaranteed.
All other sites recording leopard shark (zebra shark)
- The Bowl (Flat Rock) · Max 34 m · North Stradbroke Island
- The Caves (Gneerings) · Max 12 m · Sunshine Coast
- The Nursery (Flat Rock) · Max 20 m · North Stradbroke Island
- Three Pyramids (Lady Elliot Island) · Max 18 m · Lady Elliot Island
- Wolf Rock · Max 38 m · Rainbow Beach
- Inner Gneerings · Max 20 m · Sunshine Coast
- Scattered Bommies (Lady Elliot Island) · Max 19 m · Lady Elliot Island
- Turtle Cleaning Station (Flinders Reef) · Max 14 m · Brisbane & Moreton Bay
- Julian Rocks – Mackerel Boulder · Max 17 m · Tweed & Byron Bay
- Julian Rocks – Tricky's · Max 18 m · Tweed & Byron Bay
- Lodestone Reef · Max 20 m · Townsville & Magnetic Island
- Palm Beach Reef · Max 25 m · Gold Coast
- The Labyrinth · Max 14 m · Ningaloo – Exmouth
- Cochrane Artificial Reef · Max 20 m · Bundaberg & Agnes Water
- Coral Gardens (Gneerings) · Max 15 m · Sunshine Coast
- Turtle Caves (Flat Rock) · Max 30 m · North Stradbroke Island
- Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef) · Depth not published · Brisbane & Moreton Bay
- Aussie's Reef (Gneering Shoals) · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Butterflies · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Clown City · Max 17 m · Gold Coast
- Lost Canyons · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- MKVI · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Moray Reef · Max 19 m · Gold Coast
- Nudi Junction · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Pyramids (Gneerings) · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Ship Rock · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Southern Comfort · Max 16 m · Gold Coast
- The Gutters (Palm Beach) · Max 12 m · Gold Coast
- The Hole · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- The Nursery (Palm Beach) · Max 14 m · Gold Coast
- The Plateau · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- The Zoo · Max 16 m · Gold Coast
- Triple D · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Tunnels (Gneerings) · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Turtle Point · Max 16 m · Gold Coast
- Wonderland (Gneerings) · Depth not published · Sunshine Coast
- Fairfax Islands Reef · Max 20 m · Lady Musgrave & Bunker Group
- Kendrew Island · Max 20 m · Pilbara & Dampier
- Ranger's Bommies · Max 8 m · Ningaloo – Exmouth
- Barwon Banks · Max 50 m · Sunshine Coast
- Orpheus Island – Iris Point · Max 15 m · Townsville & Magnetic Island
- South Gorge (Point Lookout) · Max 15 m · North Stradbroke Island
- Broken Head reefs · Max 16 m · Tweed & Byron Bay
- Althea 2 Wreck · Max 41 m · Bundaberg & Agnes Water
Frequently asked questions
How do I find leopard shark (zebra shark) on a dive?
Sand flats beside subtropical reefs in summer: Julian Rocks, North Stradbroke, the Gold Coast, Flinders Reef, and Ningaloo in the west. November to April on the east coast. A long, spotted shark lying flat on the sand with a tail almost as long as its body, often several within sight. They rest during the day near the reef edge, usually in a slight depression.
Where is the best place to see leopard shark (zebra shark) in Australia?
Julian Rocks; Manta Bommie and Shag Rock (North Stradbroke); Cook Island; Flat Rock; Wolf Rock occasionally.
When is the best time to see leopard shark (zebra shark)?
December–April; peak January–March.
How should I approach leopard shark (zebra shark)?
Approach along the bottom from in front, slowly. They will lift off if crowded from behind.