Deep Domain

With their unmistakably large, wing-like pectoral fins, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks are built for endurance in the open ocean. These elongated fins allow them to glide effortlessly for miles with minimal energy, conserving strength as they patrol the vast blue. Unlike reef sharks that rely on bursts of speed, Oceanic Whitetips thrive in the endless pelagic expanse, their slow, deliberate movements embodying patience and precision. This advantage makes them one of the ocean’s most persistent hunters, opportunistically preying on fish, squid, and even seabirds. Drifting silently through the deep, they are both guardian and predator of the open sea. I shot this photo during a trip to French Polynesia with a few friends—some of them shark divers and some scientists. We only had a three-hour window on the water before catching our boat back to Tahiti from Moorea, so we went straight out to a FAD (Fish Aggregation Device), which fishermen use offshore to attract pelagic species. These floating structures become a hub of life in the open blue, drawing in fish and, sometimes, sharks. We were over thousands of feet of deep water and had no idea if we'd even see a single shark. But within five minutes of arriving, we spotted our first Oceanic Whitetip. Then another… and eventually five of them. No bait, no chum—just us quietly floating, engines off, and these curious sharks circling us for over an hour. Oceanic Whitetips are opportunistic hunters, always investigating anything unfamiliar in their environment. In the vast blue desert of the open ocean, every encounter could mean survival—so they check everything out. Luckily for us, that curiosity didn’t turn into lunch. It was one of the most unforgettable and humbling encounters I’ve had out in the open sea.