I have been fortunate in many years of diving to have had some fantastic encounters with the ocean’s most magnificent predator – the shark. To many, this is seen as a form of madness, as the stereotypical view of sharks is that of man-eating monsters. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth and the privilege of being in the water with sharks to observe them first-hand is a unique and humbling experience. The above photograph, was taken in the waters off the north-eastern corner of the grand Bahama bank – one of the few places in the world where you have a reasonable chance of seeing the Great Hammerhead up close. For hours spent in the water waiting patiently, you may only get a close encounter that lasts seconds, when the shark overcomes its cautious nature, and its curiosity gets the better of it.