Shark Gallery (Canyon aux Requins) – Moorea (Society Islands)

Site Overview

Shark Gallery, known locally as Canyon aux Requins, is one of the most famous and reliable shark diving experiences in the entire South Pacific, offering encounters with dozens of blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks in a controlled baited dive within Moorea\'s crystal-clear lagoon. This world-renowned site has been operating safely for decades under strict protocols managed by professional dive operators who have developed a deep understanding of shark behaviour and safety procedures. Divers descend to a designated area in the lagoon channel where a trained feeder presents bait in a controlled manner, attracting blacktip reef sharks that swim within metres of the observing divers. Grey reef sharks join the gathering, their larger and more robust bodies adding to the spectacle as multiple species interact in the current flow. Sicklefin lemon sharks make occasional appearances, their massive three-metre bodies commanding respect as they patrol the deeper sections of the channel. Between shark passes, the reef supports schooling jacks, giant trevally, eagle rays, and moray eels that thrive in the productive lagoon environment. The baited dive has contributed to shark conservation by demonstrating the economic value of live sharks to the local tourism industry, helping to shift attitudes from fishing to protection. The sharks at Shark Gallery are not fed by hand but are attracted by scent trails from bait boxes, allowing natural hunting behaviour while maintaining safe distances from divers. The shallow depth and calm conditions make this experience accessible to Open Water certified divers, though the proximity to multiple large sharks creates an unforgettable adrenaline rush regardless of experience level.