Marine life

Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Stegostoma tigrinum

A docile, spotted bottom-resting shark that arrives on the east coast with summer's warm water.

Leopard sharks — confusingly also called zebra sharks, because the juveniles are striped rather than spotted — are among the most approachable large animals an Australian diver will meet.

They spend most of the day resting motionless on sand, propped on their pectoral fins, facing into the current. A diver can settle nearby and watch for the whole dive without the animal reacting.

On the east coast they are a seasonal marker. Their arrival at Julian Rocks and Cook Island signals that the East Australian Current has pushed warm tropical water far enough south, and their departure marks the turn toward grey nurse season.

A leopard shark encounter, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

Scientific name	Stegostoma tigrinum
Typical size	Commonly 2–2.5 m
Conservation status	Endangered globally
Peak months	January, February, March, December
Documented sites	5
States	New South Wales, Queensland

When to see them

possible good peak

A summer visitor on the east coast, arriving with warm East Australian Current water and largely absent through winter.

Where they are

Documented sites for Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark). Hover a marker for the site name.

Identification

pale tan body covered in dark brown spots
very long upper tail lobe, roughly half the total body length
prominent longitudinal ridges along the body
small mouth set well forward, beneath the snout
juveniles are dark with pale stripes, not spots

Behaviour

Rests on sand during the day, typically facing into current.
Feeds nocturnally on molluscs, crustaceans and small fish.
Highly tolerant of divers and will usually stay put unless crowded.

In-water etiquette

Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) is endangered globally. How divers behave around it genuinely matters.

Approach slowly and from the side, never head-on.
Settle at a distance rather than swimming directly over the animal.
Do not touch the tail or attempt to make it move for a photograph.

Where to see them

Sites where this species is documented as a reliable encounter.

Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli)Where tropical and temperate waters meet — more than 20 shark and ray species recorded.Cook IslandAn aquatic reserve off Tweed Heads with a resident turtle population and seasonal grey nurse sharks.Flat RockSoutheast Queensland's premier big-animal site — grey nurse sharks, mantas and turtles.Wolf RockAn offshore volcanic pinnacle and one of the few known aggregation sites for pregnant grey nurse sharks.Sunshine Coast ReefsLocal rocky reef systems off Mooloolaba and Noosa, including Old Woman Island and Inner Gneerings.

Operators servicing those sites

Businesses documented as diving the sites above. Confirm seasonality and requirements directly.

Sundive Byron BayA Byron Bay operation running daily Julian Rocks diving alongside introductory scuba and recreational training.Byron Bay Dive CentreA Byron Bay operation providing Julian Rocks diving and recreational training.Gold Coast Dive CentreA Gold Coast training and service business serving local divers and visitors.Gold Coast Dive AdventuresA Gold Coast operation focused on guided local diving and charter access to offshore sites.Manta Lodge & Scuba CentreA North Stradbroke Island operation combining accommodation and diving, which makes it structurally different from a suburban Brisbane training centre.Wolf Rock Dive CentreA Rainbow Beach operation specialising in Wolf Rock, an advanced offshore pinnacle site known for grey nurse sharks.Sunreef MooloolabaA Mooloolaba operation closely associated with the ex-HMAS Brisbane wreck alongside local reef diving and training.Scuba World MooloolabaA Sunshine Coast business combining training, retail and local boat diving including the ex-HMAS Brisbane.

Often seen on the same dives

Green TurtleThe most commonly encountered turtle on Australian reefs, and a reliable sight at Cook Island and the southern Great Barrier Reef.Grey Nurse SharkAustralia's most recognisable dive shark — ragged teeth, entirely harmless, and critically endangered on the east coast.Humpback WhaleHeard far more often than seen — the soundtrack to winter diving on both Australian coasts.Loggerhead TurtleHeavier-headed and less common than the green turtle, with a nationally significant nesting population near Bundaberg.Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.Spotted Eagle RayA spotted, long-tailed ray that flies rather than flaps — often seen in small squadrons over sand.

Frequently asked questions

Are leopard sharks dangerous?

No. They are docile bottom-feeders with small mouths, and they tolerate divers unusually well.

When can I see leopard sharks in Australia?

Summer, broadly December to April on the northern NSW and southern Queensland coast. Julian Rocks and Cook Island are the most reliable sites.

Last researched: September 2026. Dive businesses change frequently — confirm current services, prices and requirements directly with the operator before booking.