The Great White Shark, scientifically known as Carcharodon carcharias, is one of the ocean’s most recognizable and formidable apex predators. This species holds a top position in the marine food web. Though the great white is widely distributed across the globe, its precise locations are often shrouded in mystery due to its highly mobile nature. Tracking the movements of this massive shark has allowed scientists to map out its distribution, which is far more complex than simple residency in one area. This mapping reveals that the great white shark’s presence is defined by vast oceanic ranges, predictable seasonal feeding zones, and sheltered nursery habitats.
Global Range and Preferred Habitats
The great white shark is found across the world’s oceans, exhibiting a cosmopolitan distribution in both coastal and offshore waters. It inhabits temperate and subtropical seas between 60° North and 60° South latitude. Their location is defined by specific environmental factors, primarily water temperature and proximity to continental shelves.
Great whites generally favor waters ranging from approximately 12°C to 24°C (54°F to 75°F). This preference is partly due to their unique physiological ability to elevate their body temperature above the surrounding seawater, an adaptation known as endothermy. They are often found over continental and insular shelves, which provide relatively shallow waters rich in prey.
While often associated with the coast, these sharks are also highly capable of venturing into the open ocean (pelagic zones). They have been recorded at extraordinary depths, diving to at least 1,875 meters (6,150 feet). This depth capability highlights their broad habitat tolerance.
Major Aggregation Hotspots
Despite their vast range, great white sharks predictably congregate in several well-defined coastal locations, which are known as aggregation hotspots. These sites are almost always characterized by a dense, reliable population of marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, which serve as the primary food source for large adult sharks. The presence of this high-fat prey is the direct reason for the sharks’ residency during peak feeding seasons.
One of the most famous hotspots is the Western Cape of South Africa, particularly the area around Gansbaai and False Bay. False Bay is internationally recognized for its “flying” great whites, which breach the surface while attacking the numerous Cape fur seals near Seal Island. In the Pacific, Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, attracts some of the world’s largest sharks, drawn by the island’s pinniped colonies.
Along the North American coast, primary aggregation sites include the Farallon Islands and Año Nuevo Island off Central California. In the Northwest Atlantic, the waters around Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have emerged as a significant hotspot, linked to the recovery of the local gray seal population. Australasia also hosts major aggregations, notably around the Neptune Islands in South Australia and off the coast of New Zealand.
Seasonal Migrations and Pelagic Travel
The great white shark’s location is not static, as most adults undertake seasonal migrations away from their coastal feeding grounds. These long-distance movements, often over thousands of miles, shift the sharks from nearshore habitats to the open ocean. Tracking data shows that these sharks are not permanent residents of aggregation sites and travel across ocean basins.
A striking example of this pelagic travel is the “White Shark Café,” a remote area in the mid-Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Hawaii. Sharks from the North American coast journey here during winter and spring. The Café is understood to be a highly productive area for deep-sea fish and squid, suggesting the sharks may be feeding or engaging in mating activities during their months-long stay.
These transoceanic journeys demonstrate the species’ capacity for sustained travel. The migrations are likely driven by following prey availability, searching for mates, and managing their internal body temperature. During these long trips, the sharks make frequent, deep dives, sometimes plunging to depths of 910 meters (3,000 feet).
Critical Coastal Nursery Zones
Juvenile great white sharks occupy locations distinct from adult aggregation hotspots, utilizing critical coastal nursery zones for their early development. A nursery is defined as a shallow, protected area that provides young sharks with abundant, smaller prey and safety from larger predators. These areas are fundamental.
One confirmed nursery is the New York Bight, extending along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey to Long Island. Here, young sharks spend summer and early fall in warmer, shallow waters, feeding on small fish and stingrays. Another well-documented location is the Southern California Bight, from San Diego up to Santa Barbara.
These coastal zones feature warmer water temperatures, between 14°C and 24°C (57°F and 75°F), which is important for the smaller, less thermally-regulated young sharks. Juveniles may remain in these protective waters for their first few years, gradually moving deeper as they grow and their diet shifts.