The great white shark is a pelagic species, which means it lives in the open ocean, but it often comes close to shore to feed. Some of the areas where great white sharks are commonly found include:
- The Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan
- The Atlantic Ocean, particularly off the coasts of Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and South Africa
- The Indian Ocean, particularly off the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Australia
The great white shark's habitat includes a variety of environments, from kelp forests and sandy beaches to deep, offshore waters. They can be found in depths of up to 3,900 feet (1,200 meters), but are most commonly found in depths of less than 1,640 feet (500 meters).
Great white sharks are solitary hunters and do not congregate in large numbers, except during mating season. They typically travel alone or in small groups of two or three.