Location: Various locations from False Bay to Aliwal Shoal in South Africa
South African Endemic Shark Photography Expedition
The ultimate quest to photograph all of South Africa’s endemic shark species
If you are a serious shark fan and want to photograph as many sharks as possible, we are running a very special ‘once only’ South African Endemic Shark Expedition in March 2021.
Apart from the sevengills, puffadder shysharks, dark shysharks, pyjama catshark, leopard sharks, and spotted gully sharks that live in False Bay, there are a number of other species of South African sharks that divers very rarely get access to.
After diving False Bay to photograph the more common catshark species and spotted gully sharks that are found there, we will be traveling east along the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, and stopping at Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, and all the way to Aliwal Shoal. At each location we will conduct chummed reef dives to photograph different catsharks including rarely seen Tiger Catsharks, Lined Catsharks, Brown Shysharks and Natal Shysharks.
We will also work with fishermen in False Bay and Aliwal Shoal where there are resident populations of deepwater squaloid sharks that divers never see. The sharks are an abundant part of the fishermen’s bycatch during their ‘redfish’ fishing activities. For the abyssal species, we will release these sharks with divers in the water so that we have a chance to snap a few shots of very unusual sharks as they swim back to their natural habitat. Although ‘purists’ may not be interested in this particular part of the trip, it is important to remember that this is essentially an eco-science trip to record all species of endemic sharks that we will have access to.
We expect this to be a very productive trip where we see at least 10 endemic South African shark species. We are limiting the group size to 5 guests plus Andy Murch as trip leader. It will be a relatively long trip compared to our standard week long shark safari but the reward for serious shark fanatics will be worth the time and expense!
THE ENCOUNTER
Diving with all of South Africa’s accessible sharks and some that are usually completely inaccessible!
2022
DATE
March 13-25 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$5,995 per person double occupancy
$6,995 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels or lodges in Simon’s Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Umkomaas.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Experienced open water divers only.
CONDITIONS
Water Temp: 14 – 24º C (7 mm suit recommended)
Water visibility: 5 – 30 meters
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
- 12 Nights in a variety of comfortable hotels along SA’s east coast.
- Airport transfers (CPT to Simonstown, Umkomaas to DUR)
- Transportation between lodges along the east coast of South Africa.
- 11 days of baited dives. 2-3 dives each day
- Deepsea shark encounters (accompanying fishermen)
- Professional Shark Diving Guides
- Weights and tanks
- Breakfast at the hotels and lodges
- Pack lunches & drinks on the boats
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Dinners
- Alcohol
- Dive gear
- Crew gratuities
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
A unique ‘once only’ opportunity!
We will be visiting a variety of destinations that are already on the diving map, but none of the local operators have experience in attracting endemic catsharks and other shark species. We will be traveling with the crew from Shark Explorers who have been successfully conducting baited shark dives in False Bay for many years. They are as excited as we are about the opportunity to chum for sharks in never-before-chummed spots along the Indian Ocean side of South Africa.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 |
DAY 1
Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to the Quayside Hotel in Simonstown. |
| Day 2-4 |
Dive False Bay shallow reefs to get the 4 normal species of catsharks.
Dive deeper to see if we can attract other catsharks. Max 40m.
Accompany deep sea fishermen that bring up deepwater sharks as bycatch. |
| Day 5-6 | Transfer to Plettenberg Bay. Dive Plettenberg Bay to look for Brown Shysharks and Tiger Catsharks. Transfer to Port Elizabeth. |
| Day 7-8 | Dive Port Elizabeth to look for Natal Shysharks, Brown Shysharks, and Tiger Catsharks. Transfer to East London. |
| Day 9-10 | Dive East London to look for Natal Shysharks, Lined Catsharks and Smoothhound Sharks. Transfer to Umkomaas. |
| Day 11-12 | Dive Aliwal Shoal to look for more catsharks. Then, accompany deepwater fishermen that bring up abyssal green-eyed sharks as bycatch during their red-fish fishing. |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Durban Airport. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Big Fish Expeditions
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last two decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
