During daylight hours, Whitetip reef sharks slumber together in docile gangs. Their adapted, streamlined bodies enable them to access favourite prey that hide in the crevices of a reef. After a night on the hunt, Whitetips are known to return to the same 'home' ledge or cave each day to rest. They're able to pump water over their gills, allowing them to lie still like this. As the morning passes, more and more sharks arrive, piling on top of one another until there's no room left.

This was one of the more challenging shark images I’ve taken. Roca Partida is a wild and desolate place, washed by powerful ocean currents. The surge pushes you in against the rock and then pulls you straight back out again. Everything comes down to split second timing, riding the surge at the right moment so that you don’t encroach upon the sleepy sharks or end up joining them!

Location: Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands, Pacific Ocean, Mexico

Photographer: Laura Storm