10 Types of Sharks In Maui: List with Facts and Photos

Around 2013, the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Marine Biology decided to work on a two-year long study of shark behavior around Maui’s waters. This study was prompted by an increase in shark bites off of Maui between 2012 and 2013. 

The researchers found that there are more tiger sharks in the Maui Nui Complex than around any of the other main Hawaiian islands combined. The Maui Nui Complex consists of Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe.

Dr. Carl Meyer, the principal investigator heading this study, said that the tiger sharks around Maui like to hang around the island’s insular shelf. The insular shelf is about 600 feet (200 meters) long and is an ideal habitat for tiger sharks.

Many tiger sharks who normally inhabit the waters of the other islands will come here too. The insular shelf contains lots of the prey that tiger sharks hunt, which is likely why they like the area so much. The area is also an ideal habitat for tiger shark mating and pupping.

The researchers believe that the insular shelf is better able to support larger tiger shark populations than other areas around Hawaii.

The researchers found that the tiger sharks would spend most of their time at Makena Point, followed by Kalama, Palauea, and Olowalu.

Researchers found that Makena Point detected tiger sharks 80% of the days over the year. Kalama had slightly less than 80%, while Palauea had about 60%, and Olowalu was just under 60%. This means that there are tiger sharks in the waters of Maui every single day.

However, despite Maui being a hotspot for tiger sharks, the researchers don’t believe it has anything to do with the increase in shark bites.

Some researchers believe that the increase in bites is due to the number of people at popular beaches in the area. There’s bound to be more shark and human interaction where tiger sharks make their homes. But, Meyer doesn’t seem convinced.

Meyer says that shark and human behavior has not changed from year to year, so that offers no explanation as to why the number of bites was increasing. He says that it’s most likely, “due to chance.”

Physical Description

Size: Up to 12 feet (3.6 meters). The largest recorded in Hawaii was 9.8 feet (2.9 meter)

Color: Brown-gray in coloration on their dorsal surface and a white underside. The outer edge of the tail is a dark gray.

Galapagos Sharks are known for the prominent ridge on their dorsal surface. This ridge can be found between the first and second dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are long and pointed. Its snout is wide and round.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN Red List Status: Unknown

These sharks are viviparous which means that they bear live young. The young is given nourishment from a placental attachment while in the embryonic stage.

The gestation period lasts for about 1 year, and mothers will give birth once every 2-3 years. Females will give birth to 6-16 pups, and the young are between 23.6 inches to 31.5 inches (60 m to 80 cm)

Habitat

In the Hawaiian islands, these sharks are most commonly found near the northwestern islands.

Globally, Galapagos Sharks like warm and clear waters near reefs, islands, and continental shelves. They are circumtropical and may be found offshore and around oceanic islands. 

Diet

These sharks mainly feast on bottom-dwelling fishes and cephalopods.

Predators

These sharks have few natural enemies. Juveniles are often cannibalized by larger sharks, but the adults don’t worry much about predators.

That is, besides humans. Galapagos sharks are actively hunted by humans who believe the species is aggressive. They are also commonly caught as bycatch in fishing nets.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 6 feet/1.8 meters, but usually under 5 feet/1.5 meters

Color: Light brown in coloration with significant black marks on the upper dorsal fin and tail tips.

Blacktip Reef Sharks have short, round snouts. Their teeth are angled and serrated like a saw. These sharks do not have an interdorsal ridge.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Blacktip Reef Sharks are viviparous. There is a yolk sac attached to the placenta where the pups get their nutrients while in the embryonic stage. Interestingly, the mother has two uteruses so that each embryo gets its own space.

The gestation period lasts for about 7-9 months and the mother will give birth to 2-4 pups. Pups are born at 13 inches/33 centimeters to 20 inches/50 centimeters.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are most often seen close to the coastline and along the edges of coral reefs. They stay close to the surface, usually at the top 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the ocean surface.

Globally, these sharks are found across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are often found near Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, New Caledonia, and northern Australia.

Diet

These sharks generally eat smaller reef fishes along with invertebrates.

Predators

These sharks have no natural predators. They are often caught by fishermen and are used for their meat, fins, and liver oil.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), but usually under 6 feet(1.8 meters). The largest reported in Hawaii was 6.2 feet (1.88 meters).

Color: Gray coloration with a subtle white streak down the back edge of the dorsal fin. There is a black line going down the back of the tail.

These sharks have no interdorsal ridge.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction:

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Gray Reef Sharks are very social animals that like to swim in groups during the day. However, after dark, they choose to hunt alone.

Like most sharks, the Gray Reef Shark is viviparous and will have live young. They don’t mature and will not begin breeding until 7 or 8 years of age.

When they’re ready to mate, the female will emit pheromones and certain behaviors that will attract the male. When the male seeks her out, he will grab onto her back with his teeth. Females have tougher skin for this purpose, but they can still sustain substantial wounds.

For reproduction, the males have a set of organs called claspers. These are positioned between the pelvic fins and it has a groove that deposits sperm into the female.

Sperm does not always fertilize the egg immediately. Sperm can be stored inside the female’s body for a long time.

After fertilization, gestation will take 12 months, and the female will have between 1-6 pups.

Gray Reef Sharks can live between 20-25 years of age.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are most common in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. They like to swim near coral reefs and in areas with strong currents and rough terrain.

These sharks have been found up to 900 feet (274 meters) deep in Hawaiian waters, but are most commonly seen above 320 feet (97.5 meters).

Worldwide, these sharks can be found in a number of places. They have been seen across the Indo-West Pacific to Central Pacific. They are also found in Madagascar, the Mauritius-Seychelles area to the Tuamoto Archipelago. They can also be found in waters from northern Australia to southern China.

Diet

Their diet consists mainly of bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Predators

Natural predators for the Gray Reef Shark include larger sharks like Hammerheads, Tiger Sharks, and Silvertip Sharks.

Gray Reef Sharks are also hunted by humans for their meat.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 9.5 feet ( 2.9 meters ) long, but usually about 6 feet (1.8 meters)

Color: Gray in coloration.

These sharks have a high interdorsal ridge and very noticeable nasal flaps. Their nose is very round and blunt.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

Bignose Sharks are viviparous and give birth to live young. The gestation period lasts for about 10 months, and the mother will give birth to 3-11 pups. The time of year breeding and birthing occurs depends on the geographic region the shark is living.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are usually found between 90 feet (27.5 meter)s to 1,200 feet (365.5 meters).

They like to hang out at the edges of continental shelves and slopes. Juveniles prefer shallower water.

Globally, the Bignose Shark is found around the world in tropical and temperate waters. They can be seen in the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean. They are also found in the western Indian Ocean in the Red Sea, near Mozambique, Madagascar, India, and South Africa. They are also found in the Pacific Ocean from China, to the Gulf of California, Mexico, and Ecuador.

Diet

Bignose Sharks like to feast on deepwater fishes like smaller sharks and rays. They will also eat cephalopods.

Predators

Bignose Sharks are prey for larger sharks, like Great White Sharks. Juveniles are particularly susceptible to this.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 8 feet (2.4 meters)

Color: Gray in coloration. Black edges along the pectoral and dorsal fins.

The snout is very pointed, and the body is shaped like a torpedo.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

When they are not mating, Blacktip Sharks will often form schools. These schools are segregated by gender where the females will school together and the males will school together.

Mating will occur between March and June, and the gestation period is 11-12 months. The mothers will give birth to 4-5 live pups.

The mother will give birth in a nursery area that is shallow and separate from the adult population. The mother does not stay in the nursery after birth, but will go back to join her group.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are usually seen between 40 feet (12.2 meters) and 210 feet (64 meters). The pups are commonly seen between Kaneohe Bay and Midway Atoll.

Blacktip Sharks like to live in coastal areas around the world, but are found in the largest numbers in the Gulf of Mexico. They have been found as high as Cape Cod Massachusetts. In the Pacific, they have been seen from southern California to Peru, and they have also been observed in the Indian Ocean.

Diet

These sharks like to eat bony fishes, octopus, squid, and sometimes bony fishes.

Predators

The largest predator for Blacktip Sharks are humans. Humans overfish these sharks for their meat and fins.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 8 feet *2.4 meters), but usually under 6 feet (1.8 meters).

Color: Gray or tan in coloration.

They have a high-set dorsal fin and a prominent interdorsal ridge. Their snouts are short and rounded.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

For Sandbar Sharks that live in the northern hemisphere, breeding will take place early on in the summer. For those living in the southern hemisphere, breeding won’t begin until fall or winter.

When ready to mate, a male will seek out his chosen female. He will follow her around and bite at her, nipping at her fins and gill slits. He will continue to do this until she rotates her body to allow breeding to occur.

These sharks produce live young, and the gestation period lasts between 8-12 months depending on geographic location. The female will have between 6-13 pups. The number of pups produced depends on the size of the female, with larger sharks producing more young.

The mother will choose a nursery setting to have her pups. This will usually be in shallow water near a shore. She will not stay in the nursery area after the pups are born, and they are left to their own devices.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are usually found between 30 feet (9.1 meters) and 900 feet (274 meters). The females prefer shallower waters though and will usually be spotted at depths of about 223 feet/68 meters.

These sharks like to swim near the sandy bottoms of the ocean, hence the name, “Sandbar” Shark. They prefer to live in shallow, coastal waters. You will often spot them at continental shelves, bays, harbers, islands, and estuaries.

Globally, these sharks can be found across the world in tropical and temperate waters.

Diet

These sharks prefer to eat smaller reef fishes as well as octopus and squid. They will also eat crustaceans and mollusks.

Predators

The only real predator of Sandbar Sharks is humans. They are significantly impacted by overfishing and habitat destruction.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 16 feet (4.8 meters), but usually under 14 feet (4.2 meters).

Color: A prominent spotted pattern is usually seen on juvenile sharks. These spots turn to stripes as they get older which is where the name “tiger” shark comes from. These stripes will fade with age and oftentimes can’t be seen.

Tiger sharks also have round and broad snouts. Their teeth are round, but serrated.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

Males reach sexual maturity at 7 years of age while famles reach maturity at 8.

In the northern hemisphere, mating will occur from November until January. In the southern hemisphere, mating occurs between March and June.

Tiger sharks are viviparous and breed through internal fertilization. The male will hold onto the female with his teeth while he inserts his clasper into her cloaca to guide the sperm.

The gestation period of Tiger Sharks lasts between 14-16 months and the females will give birth to 10-80 pups. Mothers will only give birth to pups every 3 years and will mate with multiple partners.

The lifespan of Tiger Sharks is thought to be between 20-50 years. 

Habitat

Tiger sharks will commonly swim between coastal waters and the open ocean. In Hawaiian waters, these sharks are usually seen between the surface waters down to 2,500 feet (762 meters).

While in the more coastal areas, these sharks will move between the surface and bottom depths of 300 feet (91.5 meters).

Globally, Tiger Sharks can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans. Still, they are most commonly found between North America, Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. They can also be found around Africa, India, China, Japan, and New Zealand.

8. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)

• Hawaiian Name: mano kihikihi

Physical Description

Size: Up to 14 feet (4.3 meters), but usually under 7 feet(2.1 meters).

Color: Gray in coloration.

The head is flattened and hammer-like. There is a central indentation on the head, marked on either side by another indentation. These markings are what gives them the name, “Scalloped” Hammerhead. The eyes and the gills can be found on either side of the hammer-shaped head.

These sharks also have ampullae, a type of sensory organ. It allows them to find prey buried in the sand of the ocean floor.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks give birth to live young and have a gestation period of about 12 months. The females will give birth to 12-38 pups.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, the adults usually live off shore. They will come into the shallower waters to mate and have their pups. They are most commonly seen in the shallow waters of Hilo Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and Waimea Bay.

Juveniles are found to stay closer to the bottom of these shallow areas.

These sharks prefer to stay close to shore during the day, but will go offshore at night to hunt.

Globally, Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks can be found around the world in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. They are most commonly found in locations like South Africa, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, and Tahiti.

They can also be found in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Diet

Hammerheads tend to prefer reef fishes, but will also eat rays and smaller sharks. They will also eat cephalopods and crustaceans.

Predators

Unfortunately, the Scalloped Hammerhead’s main predator is the human. These sharks are overfished for their meat, skin, and oil. They are also fished recreationally. Their reproduction rates are quite low, so they are more susceptible to overfishing.

Physical Description

Size: Up to 13 feet (3.9 meters), but usually under 8 feet (2.4 meters).

Color: Gray in coloration.

Their heads are flattened and shaped like a hammer. There is no indentation at the center of their heads like the Scalloped Hammerhead.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Smooth Hammerheads are viviparous and the gestation period lasts for 10-11 months. Reproduction occurs in the spring, and females will give birth to 20-50 pups.

When pups are born, they live in nurseries in shallow waters. The nursery areas also tend to have smooth and sandy substrate. The pups will form large groups, while adults prefer to be alone or in small groups.

However, in the summer, Smooth Hammerheads will form schools to migrate. They will migrate from the south to warmer waters before returning in the winter.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, the adults will usually stay off shore except to mate and have their pups. Pups are commonly seen at depths of 110 feet (33.5 meters) to 225 feet (68.5) meters.

These sharks prefer shallow water and will live close to shore. They prefer areas on the continental shelf as well as bays and estuaries. They can even sometimes be found in freshwater and have been seen in the Indian River in Florida.

Globally, these sharks are found across the world in temperate waters. It can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Diet

These sharks like to eat bony fishes as well as rays and smaller sharks. They will also eat cephalopods and crustaceans.

Predators

Juveniles are often susceptible to larger sharks, but the adults have no natural predators.

Like the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, the Smooth Hammerhead Shark is at risk from predation from humans

Physical Description

Size: Up to 7 feet (2.1 meters), but usually under 5 feet (1.5 meters).

Color: Gray in coloration with white tips on the dorsal fins and tail fins.

The head is slightly flattened, and they have a slender body. The nose is very short and round, and they have brow ridges that are easily distinguishable.

Life-Cycle & Reproduction

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Whitetip Reef Sharks are viviparous and produce live young. The gestation period generally lasts about 5 months. The female will give birth to 1-5 pups.

These sharks have been known to live for more than 25 years.

Habitat

In Hawaiian waters, these sharks like to stay in shallow waters about 25 feet (7.6 meters) to 130 feet (39.6 meters) from the surface.

They are the only shark that is able to rest and still be able to breathe. Most sharks must continue swimming to breathe. Because of this, these sharks are often seen resting inside caves.

They like to dwell near the bottom of shallow areas and are often found in coral and rock reefs.

Globally, these sharks are found in many waters. They can be found near Australia, South Africa, Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, the Pitcairn Islands, and the Galapagos Islands.

Diet

Whitetip Reef Sharks like to eat reef fishes, octopus, and crustaceans.

Predators

Whitetip Reef Sharks are often predated by larger fish like groupers and tiger sharks.

They are also in danger from humans who fish them commercially for their meat.

The government of Hawaii recently passed Act 51 making it illegal to kill sharks as of 2022. It is now illegal for anyone to intentionally entangle, capture, or kill any kind of shark while in Hawaiian waters.

Sharks have long been an important aspect of Hawaiian culture. The government also recognizes the importance of sharks in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in their waters. This is what led to the passing of this bill.

Anyone found violating this new law will be charged with a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500 per shark on their first offense. If they continue to violate the law, they can be fined up to $10,000 per shark. Any offenders are also at risk of losing their marine license, fishing equipment, and/or fishing vessel.

Of course, accidents happen, but Hawaiian officials encourage fishermen not to bring the shark on the boat. The fishing line should be cut as close to the shark’s mouth as possible before being released.

In 2010, Hawaii was the first state in the United States to ban shark finning and shark-fin sales. Following Hawaii’s lead, 13 states and territories shortly followed suit. Since then, data has shown that thousands of sharks may have been saved by this ban.

You are extremely unlikely to be attacked by a shark swimming in the ocean. In fact, you are much more likely to die of a dog attack than you are of a shark attack. As of 2013, there were only 1,022 confirmed cases of shark attacks in the United States since the year 1670. Of those thousand attacks, only 36 were fatal.

In Hawaii, there have only been 116 shark attacks recorded since 1828. Of those cases, only 8 attacks were fatal.

Typically, there are about 2-3 shark attacks that occur around Hawaii every year, but most are non-fatal. To give you some perspective, there are millions of people swimming in the oceans around Hawaii every year.

If you’re still afraid of being attacked by a shark on your vacation to Maui, don’t fret. There are things you can do to reduce your risk. If you follow these steps, you should be safe from any shark attack:

1. Don’t Swim At Night Or Twilight: Sharks are nocturnal and feed mostly at night.
2. Don’t Go Near River Mouths Or Stream Outlets: There are lots of small fish here that often get swept into the ocean. Sharks are very attracted to these areas.
3. Don’t Swim After Rain: Sharks are attracted to the shore after a rain. Also, the water will be murky, making it harder for you to see sharks.
4. Don’t Swim In Fishing Areas: Fish guts and bait attract sharks.
5. Don’t Go Near Murky Water: You can’t see well in murky water, but sharks can. Sharks also like the extra cover that murky water gives them for hunting.
6. Never Swim Alone: Sharks feel intimidated by large numbers of people. You are less likely to be attacked the more people you swim around.
7. Don’t Swim With An Open Wound: Sharks can smell blood from a mile away.
8. Don’t Wear Anything Shiny: Light reflects off shiny objects like a fish’s scales.
9. Don’t Urinate In The Ocean: Like blood, sharks are attracted to urine.

So, what if you do see a shark? STAY CALM. That is the most important thing. Do not make any sudden movements, and absolutely do not splash. Splashing is an indication of a wounded animal and will encourage the shark to go after you.

You are also more likely to be attacked by a shark while on a surfboard. Surfboards mimic the movements of seals — a popular meal for many sharks in the area.

You should also keep your body in a vertical position if you spot a shark. Sharks attack people more often when people are floating horizontally on the water.

Sharks are highly revered in Hawaiian culture. Many were seen as family members or as gods who were referred to as “Aumakua” — Ancestral Spirits. The Hawaiian word for shark is “mano”.

When a family member died, it was often believed that they came back as a shark after death. Deceased family members did not always come back as sharks. Living family members would know because the Aumakua would come to them in dreams.

If an ancestor was thought to have taken on the form of a shark, the family would no longer eat shark meat. Further, they would provide food to the shark they believed to be their relative.

Today, sharks are not generally thought of as gods or as ancestors, but they are still highly respected in Hawaiian culture. Most Hawaiians understand how important sharks were to their ancestors and do not like to see sharks be killed.

Sharks were even thought to have brought the first Hawaiians to the island. There is a tale of a shark named Kamohoali’i who was the brother of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. Kamohoali’i guided the canoes of the travelers onto the islands of Hawaii.