Great white sharks are among the ocean’s most recognizable apex predators, known for their size and power. Public interest often focuses on their movements and where these creatures can be found. While they inhabit waters across the globe, their distribution is not uniform, with specific regions supporting denser populations. Understanding their presence in certain areas offers insight into marine ecosystems.
Global Range of Great White Sharks
Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) inhabit coastal and offshore waters in nearly all major oceans worldwide. They prefer temperate and subtropical regions, found in waters with temperatures ranging between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius (54 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). This broad range includes the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. These sharks can also venture into the open ocean and have been recorded at depths of up to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).
Their habitat preferences shift with age; juvenile great whites tend to remain in shallower, warmer coastal nurseries, while adults may move between near-shore habitats and deeper, pelagic waters. Despite their wide distribution, certain areas consistently host higher concentrations of these powerful predators.
Prime Aggregation Sites
Several regions globally are recognized as prime aggregation sites where great white sharks are frequently observed in significant numbers. One such area is the waters off South Africa, particularly around Dyer Island and False Bay, often referred to as the “Great White Shark Capital of the World.” These locations are famous for observations of sharks breaching while hunting seals. Australia also hosts notable populations, especially around the Neptune Islands in South Australia and off its southern coasts.
In the Americas, the waters off California in the United States, including the Farallon Islands and areas near San Diego, are well-known aggregation points. Guadalupe Island, off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, is another prominent site. Cape Cod in Massachusetts has emerged as a significant hotspot in the North Atlantic, with studies estimating hundreds of great white sharks visiting the area annually. New Zealand, particularly around Stewart Island, also supports a substantial great white shark presence.
Why They Choose These Locations
Great white sharks select specific locations due to a combination of environmental factors that support their needs as apex predators. The availability of abundant prey is a primary driver, with areas rich in marine mammals like seals and sea lions being particularly attractive. Locations such as Seal Island in South Africa and the Farallon Islands off California provide consistent food sources, drawing large numbers of sharks. Great whites are also opportunistic feeders, preying on large fish, dolphins, and even whale carcasses, ensuring a varied diet.
Water temperatures are another determining factor. This preference explains their prevalence in temperate waters and their absence from extreme polar regions. Coastal topography, including underwater canyons, seamounts, and steep drop-offs, creates ideal ambush hunting grounds for these predators. These areas can also serve as potential breeding or birthing grounds.
Their Seasonal Journeys
Great white sharks undertake extensive seasonal journeys, moving thousands of kilometers annually. These migrations are largely influenced by changes in water temperature and the availability of their primary prey. For instance, sharks in the Northwest Atlantic spend summers and autumns in feeding grounds off New England and Atlantic Canada, then migrate southward to warmer waters off the southeastern U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico for winter.
California great whites migrate between their coastal feeding grounds and offshore areas like the “White Shark Café” between Baja California and Hawaii. These offshore journeys are thought to be related to seasonal feeding or mating. Juvenile sharks also exhibit migratory patterns, often remaining in warmer, shallow coastal nurseries, such as those identified off Long Island, New York, before venturing further as they mature.