Exclusive Expeditions for 2011
Contact us now for Expeditions for 2011
Why a specialty expedition when we still run our existing trips?
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.
The group size for each expedition has been limited to a maximum of 8 participants only (all other great white shark operators take between 12-45 guests per boat). Limited numbers of guests on board ensures the best viewing potential, an un-crowded and intimate environment, maximum cage dive time and exceptional photographic opportunities.
Dates for each expedition have been specifically chosen as the very best period in the year to experience the specialty on offer.
Expedition 1: Sharks of Southern Africa - 13 February to 25 February US$ 4,100
Africa.... the mere mention of the very name evokes images of roaring lions, and herds of giraffe and zebra racing across the Savannas. Yet often absent are the images of Great White sharks, Southern Right whales breaching and playful seals negotiating the enchanted kelp forests. The oceans that border Africa's shores are worthy rivals to the familiar terrestrial landscapes. Africa's Oceans are without doubt amongst the most valuable natural treasures in the world. More information……..
The visitor can click here for the information on only Expedition 1 as below to be shown
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: –
Cape Town - bed with sea, mountain and harbour views in Simons Town.
Breede River - rustic wooden cabins overlooking a tranquil estuary 300km from Cape Town
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.
Breede River – 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: US$ 4,100.00
6 places only – 50% deposit secures.
View Itinerary – see itinerary below
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Expedition 1: SHARKS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA TRIP 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 and Cape Town days could be changed around for this reason.
13 Feb: 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.
http://www.thegrosvenor.co.za/
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.
14 February: 8h00: Road transfer. (4 hours journey time)
Afternoon Sea Trip if weather allows
15 – 18 February: 8am to 2pm: Sea Trips, weather permitting
19 February: 8am to 11am: Sea Trip, weather permitting. Road Transfer back to Simons Town.
19 - 25 FEBRUARY: CAPE TOWN LEG
Accommodation will be at The Grosvenor in Simonstown, 5 minutes 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 5 minutes walk.
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%
19 – 25 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
25 February: Guest should arrange to fly out or carry on with own arrangements after the shark trip on 25 Feb. (so 4pm onwards). If an extra night accommodation is needed we can arrange this at a nominal additional cost.
Enquire now
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Expedition 2: Open Ocean and Coastal Predators – 22- 31 May 2011 US$ 3,680.00
Location: False Bay and Offshore, Cape Town, South Africa.
Species: Great White Shark, Mako Shark, Blue Shark, Sevengill cow shark, Striped catshark, Leopard Catshark, Puffadder shyshark, Brown Shyshark, 64 000 Cape Fur Seals, Jackass penguins, various Pelagic Sea birds. More information…..again the visitor can click here and the information on the expedition only will appear
The dates for this expedition have been selected based on our data collected over the last 14 years which shows that this is the best cross over time to see a multitude of species in our area. The primary focus is on three environments.
- Seal Island - Great white sharks-cage diving, breaching and the beginning of the predation season.
- Pelagic offshore- cage dive with Mako & Blue sharks, view a multitude of pelagic bird species, regular sightings of gamefish and cetaceans. As this is a mixing zone for both sub-tropicals, temperate and cold water species a variety of other wildlife species not mentioned may be seen off the South Western tip of Africa.
- The Kelp forests- Scuba dive with seven Gill Cow sharks and various endemic shark species.
Although all of our trips are weather dependant we traditionally average 7/10 days at sea during this period. Based on the weather conditions we will select the best activity possible for any day.
The aim will be to do 7 days with the great whites, 2 days offshore pelagic diving, 1 day kelp diving.
Great white shark trips are 7h00am to 12h30.
Pelagic shark trips are 7h00am to 3- 4 pm.
Enquire now
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Expedition 3: Great White Shark – Cage Dive and Breach Specialty 21 – 30 June 2011 US$3,680.00
Location: Seal Island, False Bay South Africa
Species: Great White Sharks, 64 000 cape fur seals, Jackass penguins, various sea bird and cetacean species.
For anyone who wants the best possible chance to see large numbers of great white sharks and have a lot of diving opportunity on an un-crowded vessel, this would be the trip we recommend. More Information……
The reason we select this period is based on data collected on over 1100 trips which indicates that the period from 15 June to 1 July is traditionally the time of year when we record the highest concentrations of great white sharks at the island.
It is also a time of year when we can have settled conditions and good visibility making it the best time for cage diving and viewing the sharks interact at close quarters.
Ten days on the water during this peak time will give you the opportunity to become familiar with the unique personalities of the sharks in the area. You will get to see just how different their personalities are, from the very relaxed to the super confident.
Getting to know a handful of regulars will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of this trip and will create your own emotional attachment with the animal.
This time period also offers a good opportunity to see breaching and predation.
We will aim to do 8 morning trips (7am to 12.30pm) and 2 afternoon trips (1pm to 5pm)
Enquire now
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Expedition 4: Great White Shark – Natural Predation Specialty 22 – 31 July 2011 US$4,485.00
Location: Seal Island, False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Species: Great white Sharks, 64 000 Cape Fur Seals, Jackass penguins and the start of the Southern Right Whale viewing season.
Our work on natural predation has been broadcast in over 40 international documentaries. Seal Island is unquestionably one of the world’s great natural history locations and the first choice for any serious shark enthusiast wanting more than just an adrenalin rush.
It is the only place on earth where on many days you will have the chance to see multiple predatory events. Witnessing a one ton shark flying out of the water in pursuit of an agile and formidable prey is truly a spectacle to behold.
Having witnessed more than 5450 predatory events in the last 14 years we have a considerable respect and field knowledge for both predator and prey. Our emphasis is to make sure we do our best to put the wildlife first and whilst you will be close enough to get a great viewing opportunity we will not push the limits to interfere with the event.
Whilst the primary emphasis is on natural predation and breaching you will also have the opportunity to do a cage dive on each day when conditions allow.
All trips on this expedition are will be the Morning trip which is 7am to 12.30pm except the 27 July which will be a late afternoon and evening trip.
Enquire now
Accommodation
Simon’s Town is a safe, scenic and convenient location only 45 minutes from Cape Town.
Accommodation overlooks beautiful False Bay and is a short distance from the Boulders penguin colony. Simon’s Town is also home to the South African navy and has a variety of quality restaurants and other attractions.
Arrival and Departure
Guests need to arrive in Cape Town one day prior to the start date. Each expedition ends on the afternoon of the last day. If extra accommodation is required before or after an expedition we can gladly book this for you.
Weather affected days
All trips are weather dependant based on the discretion of the captain. During all specialty expeditions, on average, 75% of days are sea going.
On any weather affected days the package includes the option to do the following land based activity in and around Cape Town, the world’s 3 rd most popular city.
- Cape Point nature reserve- The world’s richest floral kingdom.
- Boulders Beach penguin colony.
- The Cape’s famous wine routes
- Table Mountain.
- A visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island.
Prices (per person sharing)
- Expedition 1: Sharks of Southern Africa 13 – 25 February –US$ 4,100.00
- Expedition 2: Open Ocean and Coastal Predators 22 - 31 May – US$3,680.00
- Expedition 3: Great White Shark Cage Diving and Breaching Speciality 21 – 30 June - US$3,680.00
- Expedition 4: Breaching & Predation: 22 – 31 July - US$4,485.00
Includes
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 10 nights Accommodation.
- 10 shark trips. * Subject to weather conditions.
- All dive gear.
- Lunch and snacks on board
- All tours on weather affected days.
- In addition to this one evening will include a specially prepared authentic South African meal followed by a talk on sharks by Chris & Monique Fallows.
Excludes
- Airfare (this needs to be organized by each participant)
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Car hire (optional)
