Expeditions

Each Expedition is hosted by Chris & Monique Fallows who’s passion, knowledge and love of the wildlife in the area makes this the most personalized and educational trip on offer, with a limited maximum of 8 participants to ensure the best viewing potential.

2010 Expedition

• Expedition 3. Great white Shark – Natural Predation

Package Deals

If you are a serious shark lover and if it is a life’s dream to experience the Great White Shark, then the best way to do this is to book a longer stay.

• Package Deal: 5 day trip
  
• Package Deal: 10 day trip

Great White Shark Morning Trip

Natural predation, Breaching and Cage Diving.

The main focus of our tour is on a natural interaction with the sharks and we make our very best efforts to treat these animals with the respect they deserve and at the same time try to share our passion for these animals with you, our guest.

 

Itinerary

06h55 : Meet crew at Simons Town Pier.

Guests are welcomed aboard and a full safety and weather briefing is given before departure.

07h00: Depart for Seal Island. (25 to 35 minute boat ride)

07h35 to 12h30 : Arrive at Seal Island shortly before sunrise. This is the optimum time to have a chance of observing the natural predation behaviour that makes Seal Island so unique.

Lunch which usually consists of rolls with cold meats as well as a vegetarian option, accompanied by soft drinks, fruit juice, bottled water and a variety of snacks are available throughout the course of the day.

12h30: Boat will arrive back in Simons Town Harbour depending on the weather conditions and shark activity.

12h30 onwards: Tea and coffee available at our home base in Simons Town where payment is handled. You will also have an opportunity to browse through our unique range of shark related merchandise.

 

Additional Information

The great whites of Seal island are now world famous for their highly athletic breaches that they make in pursuit of Cape Fur seals which they hunt in the area.

We will observe natural predatory behaviour for as long as possible; however it is usually the first hour and a half that is the most intense. After this period we will try a short decoy tow using a fake cut out carpet seal where we try to get the sharks to breach. It is a very unique way to elicit predatory behaviour and has been very useful to help us learn different strategies adopted by different sharks.

After the decoy tow we do an inspection lap around Seal Island looking for any signs of bitten or injured seals which are recorded for research / conservation purposes. It is also a great opportunity to get close to the 64 000 strong Cape fur seal colony that has made Seal Island its home.

We will then choose the best spot to anchor up based on weather conditions and attract sharks to our vessel. Once a shark approaches our boat a small bait is put in the water to keep the sharks interested around the boat for identification and viewing purposes. At no point are the sharks purposefully fed or handled. We do not use shark livers or any other attractants that have a negative impact on the environment and every effort is made to avoid the sharks coming into contact with our vessel.

If the weather conditions are favourable, i.e. good visibility and workable seas, the cage is lowered into the water for cage diving.

Safety precautions and operational procedures are then explained to the diver wishing to enter the cage. It is important to know that the sharks come very close to the boat so it is not necessary to dive in order to see them. So for those not wishing to dive they will still have excellent views of the Great White Shark.

 

Back to Shark Cage Diving Trips