Marine life
Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) Diving in Australia
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.
| 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 |
- 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
- 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.
Dive Sites for Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) Encounters
Sites where this species is documented as a reliable encounter.
Ranked guide: the best places to dive with leopard shark (zebra shark) in Australia →
Businesses documented as diving the sites above. Confirm seasonality and requirements directly.
Sundive Byron BayByron BayPADIByron Bay's PADI 5 Star dive centre, running three daily departures to Nguthungulli Julian Rocks with training from Try Scuba to Divemaster.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxPoolSource-backed profileByron Bay Dive CentreByron BayPADISSIByron Bay's original dive centre, running daily Julian Rocks dive and snorkel trips from The Pass with PADI and SSI training and an onsite pool.BoatCoursesAdvancedPoolHireSource-backed profile
Blue Bay DiversBrunswick HeadsA Brunswick Heads charter running the 8.5-metre catamaran Bay Warrior to Julian Rocks and less-visited Byron sites such as Windarra Banks and the Cape Pinnacle.BoatSource-backed profileGold Coast Dive AdventuresRunaway BayPADIA Gold Coast operation focused on guided local diving and charter access to offshore sites.BoatCoursesHireSource-backed profile
Manta Lodge & Scuba CentrePoint LookoutSSINorth Stradbroke Island's only full-service scuba centre and an SSI Instructor Training Center, with two boats, on-site lodging, and technical and freediving training.BoatCoursesAdvancedProTechHireSource-backed profile
Wolf Rock Dive CentrePADIA Rainbow Beach operation specialising in Wolf Rock, an advanced offshore pinnacle site known for grey nurse sharks.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Sunreef MooloolabaMooloolabaPADIThe Sunshine Coast's only PADI 5 Star IDC, with roots to 1976 and three dive vessels running the ex-HMAS Brisbane, Flinders Reef and humpback whale swims.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Scuba World MooloolabaMooloolabaSSIA Mooloolaba SSI Instructor Training Center with air, Nitrox and oxygen, Extended Range and rebreather programmes, and boat trips to up to 15 local reef sites.BoatCoursesAdvancedProTechNitroxSource-backed profileGold Coast Dive CentreA Gold Coast training and service business serving local divers and visitors.CoursesAdvancedHireDirectory listingMarine Life Seen with Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)
Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) Diving FAQs
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.