Sphyrna Lewin is seen on Protea Banks from November to March
Best time to see Scalloped Hammerheads on Protea Banks is from mid November to mid January
The Scalloped Hammerhead comes to Protea Banks in super large numbers. Many dives we estimate seeing several thousand of these sharks.
We see different schools of hammerheads with each school about 300 – 500 strong. Each school always swims from South to North so we have to assume there are several different schools. A typical dive can encounter 8 such large schools !!!
Interesting Facts :
Scalloped Hammerheads seen in schools are resting during the day. They swim in large schools to protect themselves from other predators. “Marshalls” make sure there is no danger to the group and herd the “sleeping sharks” away from any potential danger or the unknown.
At night the schools break up and the individual sharks go hunting for food.
Once finished eating they meet up again, form schools and rest/sleep by moving slowly through the ocean.
It is extremely difficult to get a good photo of Hammerheads. They are very shy animals. As soon as they see an unknown shape, see or hear bubbles or see a light, i.e. camera flash or video light, they disappear into the ocean.
It is therefore critical for divers to stay together, not chase after Hammerheads, keep the light off and be as silent as possible.