Natural Predation and Breaching is our specific area of expertise and having witnessed and recorded just over 7000 predatory events in the last 15 years we are able to use our knowledge and experience to achieve these goals.
Limited to 8 guests per trip only
Please note that our scheduled trips cater for a maximum of 12 guests per trip so booking this particular expedition is a great advantage to have less people on board each day to ensure an even more personal experience, longer dive times and exclusive photography positions.
Location: Seal Island, False Bay.Species likely to be encountered
Great white Sharks, 64 000 Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins, Brydes Whales, Common Dolphin, a variety of sea birds and the start of the Southern Right Whale viewing season.
Our operating ethos is to provide a marine safari experience and with so many fantastic marine wildlife encounters possible in False Bay, the expedition allows us the flexibility to make the most of all marine life we encounter on any given day.
Natural Predatory and Breaching Behaviour
Seal Island is unquestionably one of the world’s great natural history locations and the first choice for any serious shark and wildlife enthusiast wanting a once in a lifetime nature experience.
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.
The dates for this expedition have been chosen over what is historically the most intense predatory activity period at Seal Island.
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 great viewing and photographic opportunities we will not push the limits to interfere with the event.
Cage Diving
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 in the morning which is 7am to 12.30pm.
Great White Shark Morning Trip Itinerary:
The main focus of our tour is 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.
06h55: Meet crew at Simon’s 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.
The great whites of Seal island are now world famous for their highly athletic breaches 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 the 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 their 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.
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 Simon’s Town Harbour depending on the weather conditions and shark activity.
12h30 onwards: Tea and coffee available at our home base in Simon’s Town.
Price (per person sharing)
- 16 to 25 July 2013 - US$ 4,200.00 per person
- 26 July to 4 August 2013 - US$ 4,200.00 per person
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
- Land based 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
Additional Accommodation Info:
- Accommodation will be in an apartment with other shark guests, although each will have their own bedroom and bathroom
- The apartments are either 3 or 4 bedrooms. Lounge with TV and kitchen with full facilities including a washing machine. www.thegrosvenor.co.za
- Internet connection available at an additional cost
- Other 4 star accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost at the Quayside Hotel in Simon’s Town overlooking the yacht basin and adjacent to our launch area. www.relaishotels.com
Excludes:
- Airfare (this needs to be organized by each participant)
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Car hire (optional)
- Afternoon Great White Shark trips which can be booked at an additional cost
Arrival and Departure
Guests need to arrive in Cape Town 16 July 2013 or 26 July 2013. Each expedition ends on the afternoon of 25 July 2013 or 4 August 2013. Should extra accommodation be required before or after an expedition, we will gladly book this for you.
Weather affected days:
All trips are weather dependant based on the discretion of the captain. Historically during this time period an average of 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 Capes famous wine route
- Table Mountain
- A visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island
- After 15 January 2013- 50% of the fee
- Less than 120 days before start date: 75% of the fee
- Less than 30 days before start date: 100% of the fee
