The Experience

Join Shark Explorers on this adventurous dive with the sharks of the open ocean. Blue and mako sharks are arguably two of the most beautiful shark species with colours of blue and silver that stretch beyond your imagination. Schools of yellow and longfin tuna together with sightings of pelagic birds, like albatross, round off this amazing experience. This is another world which every ocean enthusiast should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Habitat

These sharks inhabit deep oceanic waters and can only be found 20 - 30 miles out to sea with no land in sight. Over warm waters that are hundreds of meters deep you just never know what to expect out there like seeing pilot or sperm whales or even turtles and whale sharks.

Shark behaviour and diver interaction

Blue sharks are curious sharks that don’t mind investigating divers, but they can be a little skittish and usually are most interested in the bits of chum on offer. Typically smaller blue sharks about 1.5 – 2 meters are around the boats with up to 30 sharks on one dive. Mako sharks seem to be more difficult to find, but when they are around they are very bold and inquisitive. Typical size seen is about 2 meters, but larger ones are around. Both species have the ability of great bursts of speed and divers are kept on their toes on this dive. Makos have even been recorded leaping up to 5 meters out of the water.

      DIVE DETAILS AND COST

        Location:  Cape Town, South Africa

           Season:  March – November

        The dive:  Free-diving or SCUBA. Boat leaves at sunrise and returns about 4pm

        Minimum experience required:  This dive is for experienced and confident divers only.

        Dive Depth:  Surface – 20m

        Water temperature:  18 – 22 º C

        Water visibility:  10 - 50 meters

        Dive time:  as much as possible during the day

        Chumming and baiting:  Yes

        Dive package includes:

            1. Guided dive
            2. Snacks & cool drinks on boat
            3. Dive briefing and full shark presentation
            4. Visit to the Save Our Seas Shark Centre (optional)

     Cost:  This is a charter dive which is done on request and subject to availability. Charter cost is R10 000      for the boat (takes 6 divers). Cost per diver R2000 and a minimum of 4 divers required.

Tips for safely diving with blue and mako sharks

These sharks do not like to be touched in any way whether it’s intentional or accidental and are usually frightened away when touched. The best way to safely dive with these sharks is to always be aware of your position in the water and where you are kicking. Being in complete control of your buoyancy will help you achieve this. Make sure that you keep eye contact with sharks that are approaching you. Make sure that you do not put yourself in a position where the shark feels threatened or cornered. Blue and mako sharks are attracted to shiny and bright objects and colours and it’s ideal to have one colour (preferably dark colour) wetsuit, fins and gloves. Diving in the open ocean has its own risks and although we are experienced it’s also important to make sure you stay in contact with the boat at all times.

Filming and photography

Due to the clear, warm water and beautiful colours of the sharks there are fantastic filming and photographic opportunities.

      SHARK DIVE PACKAGES

  We offer customised shark diving packages to meet your needs so contact us directly for more   information. However we do have a few very popular suggestions:

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) sevengill cowshark spotted gully and cat sharks 2) sevengill cowshark and   Cape fur seals

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) seal and cowsharks 2) white sharks

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) seal, cowshark 2) blues & makos (seasonal)

  Three days in CapeTown -   1) seal & sevengill 2) blues & makos (seasonal) 3)white sharks

  Five days CapeTown to Aliwal -   1)seal & sevengill 2)blues & makos 3)white sharks 4) Tigers 5)raggies

      Contact us for more details info@sharkexplorers.com