Shark Spotting, Galapagos

The deep water surrounding the Galapagos is rich in sharks.  Huge swarms of scalloped hammerheads patrol the underwater slopes of the cliffs, hunting sardines and other schools of fish, and between them flit the agile Galapagos shark.

Sometimes, the greatest prize in shark watching makes an appearance: The whale shark, the largest fish in the world, measuring 40 ft (12m) in length and weighing around 20 tons (18,000kg).  Despite its size, it feeds on some of the smallest denizens of the ocean, such as plankton and microscopic plants. 

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these leopard-spotted giants glide past, and anyone who has found themselves in their wake will surely never forget the experience.