Yes! Bamboo sharks, particularly species like the brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum), can be found in the waters around Pattaya and the Gulf of Thailand. These fascinating and gentle creatures thrive in various underwater habitats, making them an exciting highlight for divers.
The coral reefs and sandy bottoms near these islands provide ideal habitats for bamboo sharks. These sharks often rest under ledges or among rocks during the day, making careful observation rewarding.
These shipwrecks are magnets for marine life, including bamboo sharks. The crevices and sheltered areas underneath the bow and stern of these wrecks serve as excellent hiding spots for these nocturnal predators.
Despite its name suggesting larger sharks, Shark Point near Pattaya is also home to bamboo sharks. Its coral reefs and sandy patches are perfect for spotting these bottom-dwelling creatures.
Bamboo sharks are present all year, but the best visibility for diving in the Gulf of Thailand is typically between November and April. The calm seas during this period make for ideal diving conditions.
Since bamboo sharks are primarily nocturnal, night dives offer a higher chance of seeing them actively hunting or gliding through the water. Bring a dive torch and look carefully around the seabed.
Bamboo sharks often rest during the day, blending into their surroundings. Focus on scanning the sandy bottoms, coral reefs, and rocky areas for subtle shapes or movement.
Knowledgeable local dive operators in Pattaya are familiar with the habitats and behaviors of bamboo sharks, increasing your chances of an encounter.
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, diving in the Gulf of Thailand provides a unique opportunity to witness the serene beauty of bamboo sharks in their natural environment!
One of the Shark species that is native to the Gulf of Thailand is the Brown Banded Bamboo Shark. This shark species only grows to about 1 meter in length and it is not dangerous to humans, but like many other marine creatures it may try to bite you if it is harassed. The Conservation Status for The Brown Banded Bamboo Shark is ‘Near Threatened’ which means that the population of the species is decreasing.
Habitat.
They generally live around shallow sandy reef areas in South East Asia. They are native to the Gulf of Thailand, across South East Asia, Japan, and Northern Australia. These Nocturnal sharks are light-sensitive and can be found hiding between rocks and crevices or under coral formations during the day time. Brown Banded Bamboo Sharks can occasionally be located in rock pools at low tide and have even been known to survive out of the water for several hours.
Life Cycle
The Brown Banded Bamboo Shark lays egg sacs that resemble small leathery pouches sometimes called a ‘Mermaid’s Purse’ The outer lining of the egg sac is coated in a sticky substance that helps to attach itself to the sea bed. The shark embryo will begin to eat the surrounding yolk inside the case. Over time the case will begin to crack which will let oxygenated seawater seep into the case. Eventually, the baby shark will become strong enough to force its way out and swim away.
The Sharks tend to eat every few days and generally consume small fish, shrimps, and crabs. Normally they do not grow much more than 1 meter in length so they are much too small to be a threat to Humans.
The Juvenile Bamboo sharks are easily identified by their distinctive dark brown and cream coloured bands. As the sharks mature, their coloured bands will gradually merge together and when they become fully grown they will look like regular Brown/Grey coloured sharks. The Brown Banded Bamboo Sharks can have a lifespan of around 20 years or more.
Threats.
Humans are the biggest threat to this shark species. Brown Banded Bamboo sharks were often seen by scuba divers around coral reefs in The Gulf of Thailand. Nowadays the sightings are less frequent mainly because of overfishing during the past 50 years or so.
Many sharks are caught as bycatch and sold to the aquarium trade although this is not considered a major problem as the sharks will still reproduce in a fish tank.
Bamboo sharks can be purchased in markets around South East Asia. Adults and Juvenile sharks can be found for sale at some of these markets either for human consumption or for aquariums.
Shark Release Projects.
Occasionally, in order to rewild marine life, Scuba Divers will purchase sharks from Aquarium fish Markets for the purpose of releasing them back into the ocean. Transporting Brown Banded Bamboo Sharks back into the ocean can become stressful for a fully grown shark, whereas the juveniles hardly move around at all and are easy to manage.
The juvenile sharks can be purchased at some Thai markets for just a few dollars and can then be released back onto a coral reef during a shallow water scuba dive. Shark release programs have been criticized for the fact that it encourages fishermen to catch more of them.
Call it a shark release or a shark rescue, either way, it is a good education exercise for all of the people on the dive boat. One way or another a near-threatened shark species would have a better chance of survival in its natural habitat rather than in somebody’s fish tank.
