Location: False Bay / Simon’s Town (near Cape Town) South Africa
South African Shark Diving Safari
Up to 10 species of sharks on one action-packed expedition
Join the ultimate South African Shark Safari and dive with: Great White Sharks, Mako Sharks, Blue Sharks, Sevengill Sharks, Spotted Gully Sharks, Puffadder Shy Sharks, Dark Shy Sharks, Pajama Catsharks, Yellowspotted Catsharks and Leopard Cat Sharks.
Plus, shoot the big five!
This 7 night expedition package also includes a game drive to view the BIG 5 so bring a long lens for close up shots of lions, cheatahs, elephants, Cape buffalo and Rhinos and many other South African species. Discover the beauty of the Western Cape with Big Fish Expeditions.
THE ENCOUNTER
Diving with 10 species of sharks including Great White Sharks
2021
DATE
TBA 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$3,495 per person double occupancy
$3,695 single occupancy
LEADER
Simon Spear
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Oceanfront hotel in Simon’s Town
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Open water diver with experience
CONDITIONS
Water Temp: 14 – 24º C (7 mm suit recommended)
Water visibility: 3 – 50 meters
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
- 7 Nights bed and breakfast in Simon’s Town
- Cape Town/Simon’s Town transfers
- 2 White Shark trips
- 2 Inshore dive trips (Cat sharks and Sevengill sharks)
- 1 Offshore dive trip (Makos and blues)
- 1 Big Game Safari drive (with full buffet lunch)
- Professional Dive Guide
- Weights and tanks
- Lunch, Snacks & cool drinks on boat
- Dive briefings and shark presentation
- Full day Big Game Safari including:
- Passage through the famous Huguenot Tunnel
- Coffee & cake on arrival
- 2-3 hour game drive with experienced game rangers
- Cheetah & Lion project
- Full buffet lunch
- Home via the famous Du Toits Kloof Pass
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Dinner
- Alcohol
- Dive gear
- Crew gratuities
Cape fur seals and other marine megafauna
Enjoy a dive with playful cape fur seals near Pyramid Rock and huge tuna and other pelagics on your blue water dives. Dolphins and whales occasionally swim by as well.
Even more marine life
Other species you may see on this expedition include Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Longfin Tuna, Bonito, Yellow tail, Cape fur Seal, Albatross, Shearwaters, Petrels, African Penguin, Sperm Whale, Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Brydes Whale, Southern Right Whale, Pilot whale, Red Steenbras, Red Roman, Nudibranchs, Crayfish, Abalone. However, even without the big stuff, False Bay’s reefs are packed with color and beautiful invertebrate life.
Visit an African penguin colony
If you have any energy left after your action packed shark diving schedule, it is only a 20 minute stroll down to beautiful Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin Colony. These extremely cute little penguins were almost wiped out but have since recovered and can be seen waddling around and surfing into shore every afternoon.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Meet at Cape Town Airport (flight not included). Transfer to Simonstown. Check into the four star Quayside Hotel. |
| Day 2 | Dive day at Seal Island (False Bay) for White Shark breaching, natural predations and cage diving. |
| Day 3 | 2nd dive day at Seal Island (False Bay) for White Shark breaching, natural predations and cage diving. Afternoon free for exploring Boulders Beach Penguin Colony. |
| Day 4 | Inshore dive trip (two dives) amongst the Kelp forests in search of Broadnose Sevengill Sharks, Spotted Gully Sharks, Puffadder Cat Sharks, Dark Shy Sharks, Leopard Cat Sharks, Pajama Sharks and Cape Fur Seals. Afternoon trip to Cape Point Nature Reserve. |
| Day 5 | Offshore trip in search of Blue Sharks, Mako Sharks, Giant Yellowfin Tuna and Longfin Tuna. |
| Day 6 | Inshore dive trip (two dives) amongst the Kelp forests in search of Broadnose Sevengill Sharks, Spotted Gully Sharks, Puffadder Cat Sharks, Dark Shy Sharks, Leopard Cat Sharks, Pajama Sharks and Cape Fur Seals. |
| Day 7 | Full day Big Game Safari on a luxury Private Game Reserve famous for having the BIG 5 and various other reintroduced safari game. The Private game reserve is a mere 2 hour drive from Cape Town |
| Day 8 | Check out and transfer back to Cape Town. |
DAILY SCHEDULES
White shark viewing/diving trips
- Meet between 6:15 and 6:45.
- Board boat and receive boat safety briefing and general information.
- Leave pier between 6:30 and 7:00.
- Arrive at island between 6:50 and 7:25.
- Discussion on shark hunting behavior and what to expect.
- View natural predatory interactions between sharks and seals.
- Tow a seal decoy to entice a breach so guests can get pictures.
- Anchor boat at 9am and start chumming to get sharks to boat.
- Drop cage and brief guests on the cage dive and shark behavior around the boat.
- Cage dive and view sharks from 9:00 to 13:00.
- Return to Simonstown harbor.
- Back by 13:30.
Sevengill shark/catshark diving trips
- Meet at 9 a.m.
- Board boat and check gear. Receive safety briefing and information.
- Leave pier at 9:15
- Arrive at 1st dive site at 9;45. Receive dive briefing.
- 1st dive at 10 a.m. (dive between 40 – 60 min)
- Relocate to 2nd dive site (less than 10 min). Have something to eat and drink.
- Arrive at 2nd dive site around 11:30.
- Receive dive briefing.
- 2nd dive at 11:45 (or 15:45). (dive between 40 – 60 min)
- Return to Simonstown pier at 13:00 (or 17:00).
Blue and mako shark trips
- Meet at 7 a.m.
- Board boat and check gear. Receive safety briefing and information.
- Leave pier at 7:15
- Arrive at dive site around 9:30. Receive dive briefing.
- Start chumming the blue waters.
- When first shark arrives we start on snorkel. When we have about 5 sharks we start our scuba dive. (scuba for between 60 – 120 min at 5 m).
- Return to Simonstown pier at 16:00
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
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
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
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
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!!
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
