Seeing a shark underwater when scuba diving is an exhilarating moment.

While some may find that prospect terrifying, others will find it eye-opening. For a long time, sharks have had a bad reputation as dangerous predators, but the risk of being bitten by a shark is “extremely low,” according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File 2025. The odds of a human being killed by a shark are 4,332,817 to 1, with the risk of drowning being much higher.

In reality, it’s sharks and rays who are at risk of death at the hands of humans. Each year, 80 million of these marine creatures are killed, specifically by commercial fishermen. Almost one-third of shark and ray species are facing an increased risk of extinction, according to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

This year, PADI launched a Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course alongside the Global Shark & Ray Census, one of the world’s largest citizen science initiatives, to encourage divers to understand why these animals are worth protecting. When divers record their shark sightings, it contributes to global research and a deeper understanding of why marine ecosystems need these animals.

“Sharks and rays need more awareness and more action at scale,” said Kristin Valette Wirth, chief brand and membership officer for PADI Worldwide, in an April press release announcing the new census and course. “By combining classic PADI education with real-world participation, we’re giving the global community clear, meaningful ways to protect the species they care about most. This is what it looks like when adventure, purpose, and impact come together.”

Diving with sharks in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience and offers a chance to fall in love with these powerful yet graceful creatures.

Here are the best places in the world to dive with sharks, according to PADI.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

▶ Operators:ProDive Cairns and Divers Den

There’s no other dive site more famous than the Great Barrier Reef, and for good reason. This marine ecosystem is home to an array of sharks and rays, including white-tip reef sharks, black-tip reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, leopard sharks and eagle rays.

Krabi, Thailand

▶ Operator: Fast Manta Krabi

A quieter alternative to the equally beautiful Thailand destination of Phuket, Krabi is a diver’s paradise. At dive sites located below gorgeous limestone islands, you’ll encounter black tip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, leopard sharks and some ray species.

Ishigaki, Japan

▶ Operator: Euro Divers Club Med Kabira Beach

Located in Okinawa, Japan’s version of Hawaii, Ishigaki is renowned for having one of the biggest populations of manta rays. From July through October, these majestic giants take over the waters. At “manta cleaning stations,” divers can witness a symbiotic relationship in action, as mantas gather and hover over reefs as smaller fish remove dead skin and parasites from them.

Fiji

▶ Operator: Beqa Adventure Divers

Fiji is more than just a gorgeous beach destination. Its waters are home to eight shark species, including tiger and bull sharks. The island nation has taken strides to protect its marine creatures. In 2004, Fiji established the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, the country’s first national marine park and a shark sanctuary, with locals giving up their rights to fish in exchange for sustainable tourism dollars.

Bimini, Bahamas

▶ Operator: Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center

For divers eager to spot a hammerhead shark, look no further than Bimini in the Bahamas. These unique-looking sharks flock to the shallow sand flats of the islands from November through April. These aren’t the only sharks you could see here – lemon sharks, nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks also in these warm, tropical waters.

Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

▶ Operator: Aliwal Dive Centre

An ancient sand dune off the coast of South Africa, Aliwal Shoal is a vibrant marine wonderland and a designated marine protected area. From July until November, gray nurse sharks, locally called ragged tooth sharks, collect to mate.

Kathleen Wong is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY. She’s the author of “The Conscious Traveller Hawai’i” and is based in Hawaii.

(This story was updated to add a photo.)