Stories from the Tribe: eye to eye with sharks at Seal Rocks

I didn’t think I’d be the kind of person to swim with sharks.

But here I am… grinning, wetsuit half-zipped, heart still racing.

The Salty Tribe’s shark retreat at Seal Rocks wasn’t about thrill-seeking, it was about embracing fear and meeting wild nature with respect.

We didn’t dive straight in (literally). The retreat began gently.

First, beach snorkels in calm, shallow water. A chance to slow down, get comfortable, and connect with the ocean again.

Then a scuba refresh session in the local pool. No pressure just guided support to ease back into the gear and remember how to breathe underwater.

By the time we headed out to the reef, we were ready. Not fearless, but we were steady.

The weight of our scuba tanks made a backward roll from the dive boat into the water simple. Slowly, we descended about 8 metres to the aggregation site with large rocky reefs, caves, overhands and gravel-filled gutters. And then the grey nurse sharks came into focus. Ancient, slow-moving and impossibly graceful. Some were over two metres long.

One of our local guides, Amelie, briefed us on the personalities of these sharks over dinner the night before. She spoke of them like old friends and knew them by name. So, when I saw “Steve” I was surprised that I recognised him immediately by his behaviours. Just like Amalie said, I could see the ‘teenage boy’ in Steve, his curious, playful nature, the fast, daring darts he’d make to come in close and check us out.   

Amelie’s familiarity with all the sharks here gave me confidence. These weren’t monsters, they were neighbours. Amalie affectionately told me “Ah, they are like Labradors”. And when I was amongst them in their home, immersed in the experience, I understood.

I hovered in the blue, watching one glide past. Its eye met mine. I stayed still, breathing slow and it kept going, unbothered. The fear didn’t surge like I’d imagined. Instead, I felt calm, humbled and alive.

After the dive, we returned to our ocean-front house, where Chef Sarah had lovingly prepared another amazing meal that nourished our bodies and souls. Every plate was stunning, local, and made to suit every dietary need. You could taste the care in every bite.

In the evenings, we gathered around the table, connecting over our similar but unique shared experiences as the wind carried salt from the sea and we watched the sunset from our ‘weekend home’. Strangers became friends and fear became freedom.

This retreat changed something in me. It wasn’t just about sharks, it was about reconnecting with the ocean, with courage, with community.

It wasn’t just a retreat, it was a reset.

Thanks to Kylie, for sharing so generously her story from our last shark retreat.

Inspired by this story and ready to take the plunge? Join our next Salty Tribe Shark Retreat 26 February- 1 March at Seal Rocks! See the details here.