Cara Cara.
Come “Face to Face” with a Caribbean Reef Shark.
“Face to Face.”
The Cara Cara Shark Dive in Roatan is one of a kind. When translated into English, "Cara a Cara" means: "Face to Face." Cara Cara is a world famous shark dive in Roatan. It is also one of the only (if not the only) shark encounter on the island
Caribbean Reef Shark
The Dive is organized by the Waihuka Dive Center, which is located on the south side of Roatan. The Dive is sure to attract at least 10-15 Caribbean Reef Sharks that live in the area.
Recommendations
Experience Divers Welcome
Call in advance about filming
Strong currents likely
Mostly larger female sharks
Diving Conditions
Approx. 70 ft max depth
Strong currents
High Walled Dive Boat
30 Min. Pre Dive Orientation
Know before you go
Required Experience
The Cara Cara Shark dive is for advanced scuba divers. The dive profile calls for an extended bottom time as 70 ft, there is a current in the first atmosphere to negotiate, and then there are the sharks. There will be a dive briefing that will go over how to navigate the current and explain the safety rules. But divers need to be familiar with their gear, buoyancy, and diving abilities so that they can focus their attention on their surroundings.
The Dive.
Cara Cara is operated by a professional Dive crew. Further to textbook Scuba Diving Safety guidelines, the Cara Cara Dive operators will debrief you on shark behavior, interaction, and current conditions. It takes on or about 10 minutes to arrive at the dive site. Here are a few things to know: The boat walls are higher than ordinary boats. This is to prevent swells from pouring over the edge of the boat. There will be a current line for you to grab onto just as soon as you enter the water. Once the go-ahead is given to descend, divers are expected to reach the maximum depth quickly so that currents do not sweep drivers off their targets. The dive will be terminated if anyone diver cannot make the descent with the rest of the group.
The Feeding.
The target site is a flat plateau at about 70 ft with a barrier reef wall on one side. Divers are to begin the dive on their knees at with their back towards the protective reef wall. It is not uncommon to spot the sharks during the descent so keep your eyes pealed. Once all divers are in their starting positions and accounted for, the Dive Master will instruct you to swim among the sharks for a short while. Then divers are asked to regain their position against the wall, and the shark feeding is conducted by the Dive Master. The feeding ends with the Dive Master releasing a bucket of chump to for the Sharks to compete over and just as soon as the last bite is had, the Sharks finish leaving behind loose teeth for souvenirs.
Tooth Collection.
The feeding is at its highest when the chump bucket is opened up and left alone for sharks to fight over its contents. Once the sharks have been fed, divers are encouraged to swim with the sharks.
Other Spices
Black groupers, moray eel, and Horse-eye Jack are sure to join the scene, but you won't be paying too much importance to them as you'll have your eyes very much on the sharks.
Video encounter.
