Location: Brittany, France
Porbeagle Sharks
Snorkeling with Porbeagle Sharks and scuba diving in Brittany.
Porbeagle Shark Encounters
Apex predatory shark of temperate seas, the charismatic Porbeagle is a muscular lamnid; cousin to the Great White, Salmon Shark, and Mako. A fast and energetic hunter, the porbeagle is one of the few species that has physiological adaptations allowing it to maintain a body temperature higher than its environment.
Porbeagles are found at both ends of the Atlantic, and in the South Pacific but in most areas they are very rarely encountered by divers because they spend much of their time in the open ocean and at great depth.
For a short period during their summer migration, Porbeagles gather in unusually high numbers in shallow water off Brittany in northwest France. This unique spot is the only site where porbeagles are commonly encountered.
So far, more than 100 different porbeagles have been cataloged but the aggregation is probably much larger.
Swimming with Porbeagles and diving the reefs of Brittany
This is your opportunity to join four other guests and two shark researchers on a baited encounter to snorkel with porbeagle sharks. In this very special spot, the success rate for porbeagle sightings stands at 85%; vastly higher than any other location.
As well as chasing porbeagles each day, during the trip you will have the chance to snorkel at a grey seal colony, and conduct reef dives to see other endemic species such as lesser-spotted catsharks, torpedo rays, many endemic fishes, octopus, and cuttlefish.
We will also visit the only nesting point in France for northern gannets (20,000 pairs) and see Atlantic puffins (175 pairs), English shearwaters, and razorbills.
THE ENCOUNTER
Snorkeling with Porbeagle Sharks and scuba diving on the coastal reefs of Brittany.
2024
DATE
June 1-7 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$4,495 per person double occupancy
$5,695 per person single occupancy
LEADER
Simon Spear
2025
DATE
June TBA 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Simon Spear
2026
DATE
June TBA 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Simon Spear
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable oceanfront hotel in Brittany
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Open Water SCUBA certification required
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 nights at the Hotel des Rochers
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 5 charters to snorkel with porbeagles
- All required equipment and bait for attracting sharks
- Reef diving
- Birding and Gray Seal tours
- Experienced Shark Diving Guide
- Marine Biologists onboard
- Underwater photography coaching
NOT INCLUDED
- Land transfers to Brittany
- Lunch and Dinner
- Personal snorkeling/SCUBA equipment
- Crew gratuities
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive in Brittany and check into your marina front hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the ruggedly stunning peninsula.
In the evening we will get together for a briefing about the days ahead and learn a little about porbeagle sharks before heading out for dinner.
DAYS 2-6
After a delicious breakfast each morning, we will head out to look for porbeagle sharks not far from the coast. The sharks usually show up quite quickly. It is not uncommon to see multiple sharks at the same time so there are usually excellent photographic opportunities.
After a few hours of attracting sharks, the boat will return to shore with the changing tide.
You will have plenty of time to wander over to one of the local creperies for which the area is famous.
In the afternoons, we may head to a seal colony to snorkel with playful grey seal pups, or conduct a single tank dive to look for catsharks and other local marine life.
DAY 7
Time for a final breakfast at the hotel followed by fond farewells, before your onward journey.
ITINERARY AMENMENTS
Please note that the porbeagle snorkeling and daily diving schedule may be reversed or otherwise amended due to tidal and weather considerations.
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three 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
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
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
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!!
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
