Since I began scuba diving, I dreamed of encountering tiger sharks in the wild. After years of anticipation, that dream came true in 2012, when I joined a trip to Tiger Beach with Gerardo Del Villar, whose work I admired at the time. That journey became one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. Not only did I share the water with some of the ocean’s most majestic predators, but I also met incredible people like Paul Spielvogel, Johnny Gaskell, Mariela Garcés, Becky Kagan Schott, Fer Mijangos, Connor Cassidy, and Gaby Carias Tucker.

Although the tiger sharks didn’t approach us very often on that first trip, I spent hours mesmerized by the lemon sharks, with occasional visits from Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even a massive great hammerhead. Still, every time a tiger shark appeared, I was completely awestruck by its sheer size, grace, and calm, commanding presence.

In 2014, I returned to Tiger Beach with Epic Diving as part of the Rolex Scholarship. This time, I was joined by Daniel Norwood, now my husband, and Jeffrey Honda. On this trip, the tiger sharks were everywhere. It was beyond incredible.

Two years later, Dan and I visited Bimini to dive with great hammerheads alongside Neil Watson. As part of that trip, we took a one-day detour to Tiger Beach to observe Neil’s operation there. Again, the tiger sharks did not disappoint. What I love most about them is their powerful yet composed demeanor, as if they understand an unspoken agreement: behave respectfully, and you’ll be rewarded. That’s the principle behind shark provisioning. While controversial, when done responsibly it allows for respectful, close-up encounters with these apex predators that can inspire awe and advocacy.

I’ve also encountered tiger sharks in other parts of the world. In Jupiter, Florida, the dive felt exhilarating but chaotic, exciting, but not ideal in terms of safety or control. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are very experienced. In Fiji, I joined the Beqa Lagoon Resort’s tiger shark dive. The sharks were magnificent, but the setup felt too intense for beginners and not entirely responsible. That said, the scenery was stunning, and the up-close shark encounters were unforgettable.

One of the most striking tiger shark experiences I’ve had was in Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Unlike the shallow, clear waters of the Caribbean or the coral reefs of Fiji, Cocos is remote, wild, and unpredictable. Here, tiger sharks are not baited or expected. They appear from the deep blue on their own terms. Cocos belongs to the schooling hammerheads, but when a tiger shark emerges from the pelagic zone, the moment feels raw and primal. These are large sharks, often over four meters long, and the encounters feel more like stepping into their world than observing them in ours. It’s humbling and unforgettable. It reminded me that the same species can feel completely different depending on the environment and context.

Today, I am lucky to see tiger sharks in our own backyard here in Sint Maarten, where my husband and I run SXM Divers. We’ve spotted them on our Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems and at a few secret dive sites. Our commitment to these animals has deepened through our support of The One Shark Project, a groundbreaking conservation initiative focused on tiger sharks in this region.

Launched in 2020 by Professor Eric Clua and led locally by Hadrien Bidenbach, The One Shark Project uses science to study and protect tiger sharks. Through nonlethal tagging and tracking, the team gathers data on the sharks’ movements, behavior, and genetics. At SXM Divers, we proudly support this work by joining expeditions that safely catch, tag, sample, and release the sharks.

We’re now taking it a step further by offering citizen science shark tagging expeditions. Guests can join us and the One Shark Project team for a hands-on day of research, helping to tag tiger sharks, collect DNA samples, and contribute directly to marine conservation. It’s a rare opportunity to witness these remarkable animals up close while making a meaningful impact.

Our dream is to establish dedicated tiger shark diving here in Sint Maarten. With the right balance of conservation, education, and adventure, we believe the island can become a global hub for responsible tiger shark diving.