Snorkelling with sharks

On a holiday in Thailand on Koh phi phi.I found myself in a long tail boat(a long rowing boat with an outboard motor at the end of its long rudder).Speeding along the dark but clear and boat free water.In the low light of the early morning,with my local guide.

I'm feeling a little anxious about the upcoming event which I've landed myself in.I'm going snorkelling with black tip reef sharks.And at feeding time!

The boat slows up as we reach the aptly named 'shark point'(a tiny outcrop of rocks barely jutting out from the water).I'm peering into the water,searching for black shapes,and scanning the surface for those famous fins.Nothing yet!

Then,still feeling nervous.I follow the guide in,half expecting another shock to go with the cold water.However I'm fully armed with my disposable underwater camera,so I feel really safe if attacked.My nervousness now changes into a curiosity mixed with increasing confidence.

I'm searching intently all around me,into the hazy,dark blue distance and the dark unknown.Half expecting a shark to come bolting out of it.Of course I'm checking behind as well,just in case,they try and sneak up on me.

Were about 20 feet above the reef,which is unfortunately completely white,and so dead.One of the not so paradisaical features.

Were floating on the surface and occasionally fining around.While both of my hands are firmly on the camera.Held close to my chin,ready to take my action shots.Like a nervous soldier,prepared to let rip with his machine gun at the slightest movement.

Trying not to move too much.As the guide informed me that these sharks are really quite nervous.Not at all like the aggressive beasts we believe them to be.So much so,that if I move my arms suddenly about.They won't bite them off,instead they'll just dart off.

Suddenly the guide points to my left.I'd been staring off to my right.I turn to look.Nothing!Feeling a bit jaded,like being picked last for a school team.Again he points off into another direction.Of course,completely opposite from where I was searching.I quickly turn to look,hoping this time,but again nothing.Is he playing games with me?Pretending,to excuse his fee?Or are the sharks just teasing me,like some sharkey game of hide and seek?

However the next time he points,I do see a glimpse of something gliding off into the eerie distance.Maybe were not alone now and the sharks are getting used to our alien presence within their home.

Finally I do see a shark,and I don't need it to be pointed out to me.Even though it's still in the blurry distance.I'm starting to get used to this game.

Now there's more sharks,seemingly circling us.I guess,checking us out.With a few beginning to get closer.Including creeping up on me from behind and very close.Also from wherever I'm not looking.All the time getting closer but not personal yet.

I'm hoping to get a picture perfect shot of one coming right at me.And here comes my chance as a very brave one is indeed coming straight for me!Surprisingly I'm not frightened,instead just absorbed in and amazed at these wonderful,intriguing animals.Also helped by the fact that I haven't been bitten yet.What a great shot this will b...Git!It veers off just before my finger presses down.

There's even more of them mulling around us now.We've become quite an attraction to them now or just an oddity.However every time I try to get that perfect shot they always veer out of the shot just before I click.Bastards!

Just as it was getting busy.It starts to get lighter and we can hear boats in the distance and arriving here.With that,the sharks promptly disperse.They're not stupid.So we swim back to the boat,which is surprisingly far away.Avoiding the other long tail boats.Which I feel are more dangerous to a swimmer than these sharks.

It's been a great privilege to have had my first encounter with sharks.To experience at first hand that this variety at least,aren't the aggressive man eating beasts we believe them to be.I'm also still hopeful one day to get that perfect picture.

More shark snorkelling encounters.