The Best Leopard Shark Dive in the World: Julian Rocks
By Josh Blank
Picture this – It’s a warm summer’s day, and you’re sitting on the dive deck completing your final buddy checks. Then, you walk to the back of the boat, slip on your fins, and take a giant stride into the water.
As you make your way over to the mooring line, you happen to glance down to the seafloor and notice a leopard shark gracefully gliding beneath your fins. Then, suddenly there’s another one, and another after that until before you know it, you’ve entirely lost count.
As you descend, now surrounded by sharks, you realise that you’re in for one hell of a dive!
Leopard or Zebra?
Now, as I am writing this, I can already feel the anger brewing from divers outside of Australia, wondering why on earth I’m referring to them as leopards when they’re so clearly zebra sharks?!
Indeed, these sharks are widely known as zebras outside of Australia, a name commonly given to them to reflect their stripes at birth.
However, in the land-down-under, they’re known as leopard sharks. A name to reflect their many spots that develop as they mature.
To remove all doubt, the species I am referring to goes by the scientific name Stegostoma fasciatum. And that’s regardless of where you are in the world.
Leopard Sharks: Seasonal Visitors
Like much of the marine life along Australia’s east coast, the aggregation of leopard sharks at Julian Rocks is seasonal. The sharks will begin arriving in December and are generally in full force through April.
Their timing is excellent for those who enjoy a warmer climate, with in-water temperatures reaching as high as 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). Unfortunately, these dates coincide with the east coast cyclone season, sometimes preventing any boats from reaching the rock. However, I promise you it’s well worth the risk!
The Dive Site: Julian Rocks
As mentioned above, Julian Rocks is located on the east coast of Australia, roughly 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) offshore from the coastal town of Byron Bay, New South Wales.
Several dive operators go to Julian Rocks, with some departing from Byron Bay itself and others departing from the beautiful sleepy town of Brunswick Heads.
There are many different dive plans to explore the rocks, all of which will see many aquatic species, both large and small. I really could go on and on about all the encounters that you can experience at this site, but I’ll try my best to stay focused on the leopards!
The Topography
During peak season, leopard sharks are typically found 5 to 15 meters deep, between what is known as “The Nursery” and “The Needles.”
You can best describe the underwater terrain as rocky, with large, jagged, boulder-like formations arising from the sand. These formations create an ideal environment for the leopards to either rest on the sandy bottom, sheltered from strong currents, or enjoy cruising through the water column between the rocks.
Visibility and Currents
As with most dive sites along the east coast of Australia, visibility can range dramatically based on several factors, including the wind and swell. On average, divers can expect approximately 8-12 meters of visibility. However, a day with minimal waves coupled with light south or easterly wind can see the visibility exceed 20 meters.
Currents are typically mild to moderate. However, they can be known to rip! But, of course, there is no need to worry. A strong current will simply turn your dive into an exciting drift as the water propels you through shark after shark.
What Makes Julian Rocks So Special
At this point, you might find yourself asking what makes Julian Rocks “the best” leopard shark dive in the world? For me, the answer to this comes down to two points.
Number of Leopard Sharks
The sheer number of sharks present during peak season is incredible. It’s not at all uncommon to experience upward of 30 leopards hanging around a single mooring line. There may even be more, but honestly, it’s hard to keep count!
Leopard Shark Behaviour
The behaviour of leopard sharks at Julian Rocks is unlike anywhere else I’ve heard of. In other parts of the world, if a diver is lucky enough to see a leopard shark, it’s a good bet it will be stationary on the seafloor.
For unknown reasons, the sharks here are seemingly on an endless loop as they elegantly sway their tails and effortlessly cruise through the water column.
So, to answer the question of why I rank this dive the best? Simply imagine yourself slowly descending to just 10 meters and being literally surrounded by leopard sharks in every direction you look. Truly amazing to witness.
A Photographer’s Paradise
I’ve been photographing Julian Rocks for close to seven years now, and let me tell you, the excitement I get every year when summer comes around is on a whole other level. Despite having captured them with endless different compositions and photographing a range of different behaviours, I am still so excited to continue chasing the elusive, perfect leopard shot.
The large population of sharks coupled with them constantly free-swimming around and overhead divers make this site a “must dive” for any photographer or videographer out there.
During peak season, when the Leopard Sharks are in high numbers, it becomes increasingly easy to compose images or videos any way you desire. The sharks do most of the work for you!
Shy is not a word I would use to describe these leopard sharks. If you remain as still as possible, avoid sudden movements, and minimise bubbles, it’s not uncommon to have multiple sharks pass by directly overhead. They can be literally inches from your camera.
Julian Rocks: Simply a Must-Do Dive!
So, there you have it, my case for Julian Rocks as the best leopard shark dive in the world. If somehow you haven’t noticed already, I’m a big fan of the site. In fact, I owe some of my most popular underwater imagery to the marine life that calls it home throughout the year.
The rock swarms with various species, and there is never a dull moment year-round. However, the unique and very special aggregation of leopard sharks over the summer is the icing on the cake.
About the Author
Josh Blank is an underwater photographer and blogger based on Australia’s Gold Coast. For more images from Josh, including more Julian Rocks and leopard shark shots, be sure to check out his Instagram @joshblankphotography!
Great article!!