SHARKS Summer vs Winter | Byron Bay Diving

So it’s pretty well established that Australia has 2 seasons, Summer…. and Winter, and depending on where you're from they're pretty much the same thing. But beneath the surface of many of Australia's rocky coastlines, it’s a totally different story. This is Julian Rocks and it's one of my favourite places to scuba dive, and freedive!
The main difference here is in the wildlife, and it’s Australia, so by wildlife I mean sharks.
Summer at Julian Rock is epic. The warmer water attracts schools of these beautiful Leopard Sharks up to a hundred large (or Zebra Sharks if you're from the USA). They stay here from December to May, and on a good day you’ll get the chance to interact with a number of these beautiful gummy mouthed sharks. There's also plenty of large Bull Rays, Marble Rays, Turtles and if you're lucky Manta Rays!
But as the warm water starts to leave, so to do the leopards - let’s dive into winter.
So you will that many of the regulars are still here over winter, but our sharks species is totally different. These guys are Grey Nurse Sharks, (or Ragged Toothed Sharks, or Sand Tigers depending on where you're from) they’re large and they look fierce, and well that’s the appeal to diving with them - but truthfully they’re very relaxed and unbelievably docile, usually spending most of their time in large schools in gutters between the rocks.
If you only had one dive here, when would you do in summer or winter?
All footage was filmed out at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay. Summer footage captured with Byron Bay Dive Centre, and Winter footage was captured with Sundive Byron Bay.
For more visit my website: www.tomparkphotography.com
& check out my Instagram tomsunderwaterphotography
Camera Gear Used:
- Sony A7SIII
- Sony A7III
- Atomos Ninja V
- Sony 16-35mm f4
- Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Art
- Sony 12-14mm G
- Sony 50mm f1.8
- Sony 18-105mm G F4
- Sigma 35mm F1.4
- Isotta Underwater Housing
- Sea&Sea Underwater Housing and Domes
- OrcaTorch D950v and D910v Video Lights
- Zhiyun Weebill S Gimbal
- DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone

[@submergedstories]

Not only different sharks but different water colors! The winter was greener than the summer, but both were awesome! Always love your videos, Tom. Keep them coming!

[@TomPark]

The difference in water was just a visibility thing - we didn’t get as good conditions this past winter unfortunately. The result is slightly murkier water, but it’s usually the other way around! Winter generally carries clearer water :) The sharks are also about 10m deeper in winter which results in less light! But stoked you like the film thank you!

[@jimmycarthy7431]

Those leopards are beautiful, super fun video

[@TomPark]

Thank you! stoked you enjoyed!

[@underwaterimaging6935]

So good bro, love this so much 👏

[@TomPark]

Thank you mate, appreciate it!

[@riptideimages]

Amazing video! would love to go and dive there!!

[@TomPark]

Thank you! It’s a beautiful spot, really stoked you enjoyed the video 🙌🏻

[@Jak3yyyy]

Definitely Summer!

[@claudia-uy5gk]

This video is really really good

[@HuntmasterSpearfishing]

Epic video, and what a spot!

[@TomPark]

It's such a beautiful spot! Cheers

[@johnpark8949]

Love the sharks of Julian Rock but I would choose summer

[@TomPark]

Summer's my fav too, but we've had a pretty epic winter here too!

[@susanpark494]

No surprises here. I would jump in the water anytime of year. But those Leopard Sharks are a fav

[@TomPark]

haha shock horror! But me too, they're such beautiful animals

[@yogainthewind]

This is amazing !! So different for both seasons 😁

[@TomPark]

It's super impressive how different the two seasons are! Unreal for divers!

[@oneshotme]

Leopard Sharks (or Zebra Sharks if you're from the USA) I'm from the USA and only know them but Leopard and never heard of them called Zebra Summer or winter?? That's a hard one and don't know which one I like both the same amount Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@TomPark]

Really? That’s super interesting! The common names are different from aus to USA as you guys have another shark that looks very similar, particularly around the California region), and for whatever reason we can’t agree on one common name for leopard or zebra sharks. Obviously they’re the same sharks with the same scientific name but there’s always a lot of common name variation from country to country. Same as the grey nurse, they’re called ragged tooth or sand Tiger sharks In different countries. I just always get loads of comments with people telling me I’m wrong and they’re zebra sharks 😂🦈

[@Zeesh009]

Both seasons

[@TomPark]

It’s amazing there’s this much life year round!

[@InfiniteBlue_]

Iam gonna try this spot next year on my travel. Id love to come there in summer. Unfortunatly iam gonna be there around mid May. You think its still possible to see Leopards in that time?^^

[@Kevin_Aus]

Hey mate, have you ever dived Cook Island, Wolf Rock or the Gold Coast Seaway?

[@TomPark]

Hey Kevin, I’ve dove cook island a bunch, if you search on my channel for ‘tweed heads’ itl show up! :) haven’t don’t wolf rock of GC tho sorry - been meaning to do wolf rock for ages!