If a personalised exploration of seldom visited reaches of a magnificent coastline, a wander into the cobalt open ocean and a patrol of some of the worlds sharkiest waters interests you, then perhaps The Sharks of Southern Africa expedition is your calling. Well known for its famous population of Great Whites, the Cape Coast of South Africa is also home to an impressive array of other apex predators.
This expedition, hosted by world renowned Chris & Monique Fallows, aims to show you many of these impressive sharks and other marine life that is to be found along this beautiful coastline in a tour that is personalised and educational.
Since 2002 Chris & Monique have hosted these personalised expeditions for a select group each year.
In Chris’ words “it is a relaxed and special time spent in the company of amazing wildlife in beautiful settings with like-minded people that we look forward to each year. It is indeed an expedition that is often a highlight of our work”
Chris has worked with Great White sharks since 1991 and Monique from 1999. Chris along with a colleague discovered the now famous breaching sharks of False Bay. Together Chris & Monique have hosted or featured in more than 45 well known documentaries including Planet Earth, Air Jaws 1,2,3, Inside the Perfect Predator, Smart Shark, Great White Deep Trouble, Shark coast and many more. Chris has co-authored various papers on natural predation and has written the coffee table book, Great White and the Majesty of Sharks.
More so, the couple are known for their efforts to help in the conservation of these magnificent animals.
During past Sharks of Southern Africa expeditions we have averaged showing guests 10 species of sharks per trip. In conjunction to the sharks, large game fish, dolphins and whales of various species and an incredible array of open ocean seabirds are also encountered so this expedition should be seen as a marine safari rather than just a search for sharks.
You will have the chance to visit famous sharky landmarks such as the home of Air Jaws 1, 2 and just recently completed Ultimate Air Jaws, Seal Island False Bay, The Cape of Storms - Cape Point - the resting ground for many ships sunk in the 1800's and early 1900's, South Africa’s largest estuary and the worlds largest Bull sharks, the Breede river, as well as several other beautiful locations.
Underwater locations include the magical and vast kelp forests which enrich rocky reefs by providing shelter for small creatures. Diving off the continental shelf, into the big blue, 10 - 25 miles off Cape Point in warm water with multiple Blue sharks and the magnificent Mako shark. Diving in a southern Cape reef system that still teems with life as the Agulhas current flows through it.
The following species have been encountered on previous trips and the likelihood of seeing these sharks is as follows:
- Mako shark 80%
- Blue shark 90%
- Ragged Tooth shark 80%
- Bronze Whaler 70%
- Hammerhead 90%
- Great White 75%
- Seven Gill shark 80%
- Spotted Gulley shark 60%
- Leopard catshark 60%
- Striped catshark 80%
- Puff Adder shy shark 80%
- Brown Shyshark 60%
- Lessor Guitarfish 60%
Game fish such as Yellowtail, Yellowfin Tuna ,Albacore Tuna, Dorado, Garrick, Bluefish, as well as various large reef fish are often seen.
Various Dolphin and Whale species are also regularly encountered and have on past trips included Humpback, Southern Right, Sperm, Pilot and Brydes whales.
Common, Bottlenose, Dusky & Risso's dolphins
For guests interested in Pelagic birds part of this expedition occurs in one of the worlds premier areas to see various albatross, shearwater, petrel and many other open ocean bird species.
As a world renown marine and wildlife photographer, Chris is on hand to assist with any photographic expertise required. The expedition crew is experienced in positioning the boat to achieve the best lighting conditions needed for good images yet will always endeavour to make sure no wildlife is harassed whilst doing so.
During the expedition most of the diving is very easy and is done on snorkel but the great white and pelagic dives are cage dives due to legal and safety requirements. All dives are supervised by a Dive master and utmost importance is given to safety. The focus of the expedition is to show you magnificent sharks up close but also in a respectful and safe manner.
Due to the personalised nature of the expedition the maximum group size is 6 guests guaranteeing an educational and intimate experience.
Useful information
On average 75% of days offer reasonable weather to go to sea.
Water temperature ranges between 16-23c (62F-78F)
Visibility ranges between 4-25m (14- 80ft) depending on location and activity
What is included:
All dive gear.
Accommodation
All transfers from Cape Town international airport to your points of accommodation.
Snacks and lunch on board the vessel
All meals at the Breede River.
Cape Town - weather affected days - tours to Cape Point nature reserve, Boulders Penguin colony, Cape Town's famous wine route and The Two Oceans aquarium will be arranged and included in the package.
BreedeRiver – weather affected days - tours to De Hoop nature reserve, scenic hikes and upriver cruises.
What is not included:
Flights
Cape Town – Lunch and dinner.
Cost
6 places only – 50% deposit secures.
ITINERARY
As all trips are weather dependant we will try to keep the trip as flexible as possible in order to get out to sea as often as the weather allows.
Cape Infanta/Breede River and Cape Town days could be changed around for this reason.
12 February: Guest to arrive in Cape Town. Guest will be collected at the airport and transferred to Simon’s Town. Accommodation provided at The Grosvenor in Simon’s Town. The Grosvenor is a homely 3 star guest house boasting views over Simon’s Town Bay and Harbour.
SOUTH CAPE LEG
Each trip requires us to head out approx 6 kilometres from the estuary river mouth which includes having to cross the “bar” (the area where the river meets the sea). This can be “exciting”!
Target Shark Species
Ragged Tooth shark 80%
Bronze Whaler 70%
Hammerhead 90% (This is a smooth hammerhead pupping area so sharks encountered are all pups. All sharks are 70cm to 1.5 meters in length)
Spotted Gulley shark 60%
Leopard catshark 60%
Striped catshark 90%
Puff Adder shy shark 90%
Brown Shyshark 90%
Other:
Various Species of Gamefish and dolphin likely to be encountered.
If the weather allows we will also be able to snorkel in the spectacular Marine Reserve where we will have a great chance of encountering a large variety of endemic fish species.
Accommodation will be at “The Mudlark Waterfront Lodge”. These are rustic cabins overlooking the Breede River Estuary. Each guest will have a private cabin and bathroom. All meals are included on this leg of the trip. A cash bar for all softdrinks and alcohol is available at the accommodation.
The river fishing is excellent (tag and release) and this is a great optional extra in the late afternoons.
13 February: 8h00: Road transfer. (4 hours journey time)
Afternoon Sea Trip if weather allows
14 – 17 February: 8am to 2pm: Sea Trips, weather permitting
18 February: 8am to 11am: Sea Trip, weather permitting. Road Transfer back to Simon's Town.
18 - 24 FEBRUARY: CAPE TOWN LEG
Accommodation will be at The Grosvenor in Simon’s Town, a 5 minute walk from our launch site. This is a shared apartment but all guests will have their own bedroom and bathroom. A variety of restaurants are also within a 5 minute walk including a bank.
Breakfast and Dinner are not included on this leg but The Grosvenor is fully equipped for self-catering.
Shark Target Species
- Mako shark 80%
- Blue shark 90%
- Bronze Whaler 60%
- Hammerhead 20%
- Great White 75%
- Seven Gill shark 80%
- Spotted Gulley shark 60%
- Leopard catshark 60%
- Striped catshark 80%
- Puff Adder shy shark 80%
- Brown Shyshark 60%
- Lessor Guitarfish 60%
18 – 24 February:
Over this period we will be flexible to do the following trips. Our flexibility will depend on the weather conditions.
1) Mako and Blue Shark trip: 6.30am to 3pm
We will need to travel between 10 and 25 mile from Cape Point into the open ocean in order to find these species of shark. Be aware that this can be a 2.5 hour boat drive each away.
(We also have a possibility of encountering Bronze whaler and Hammerhead sharks as well as yellowfin tuna on this trip)
This is a cage dive.
2) Great white shark trip: 7am to 12.3pm.
It is low season for Great whites but there is a 75% chance of an encounter.
This is a cage dive.
3) Sevengill cow shark dive. A variety of cat sharks may also be encountered on this snorkel.
4) Spotted Gulley Shark snorkel at Cape Point Nature
24 February: Guest should arrange to fly out or carry on with own arrangements after the shark trip on 24 Feb. (so 4pm onwards). If an extra night accommodation is needed we can arrange this at a nominal additional cost.
