Location: Ravencroft Lodge, Port Fidalgo
Snorkeling with Salmon Sharks
Swim with salmon sharks in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
Big Fish Expeditions Salmon Shark Adventure
Join us in Prince William Sound, Alaska for a once in a lifetime encounter with Alaska’s most iconic shark species: the mighty salmon shark! Nowhere else in the world is it possible to get close to salmon sharks but during a very short window in the Alaskan summer, these ‘mini great whites’ congregate in a couple of inlets in the sound to feast on pink salmon that are waiting to go upriver to breed.
The lodge is so well positioned for this encounter that the sharks can often be seen circling just off the dock with their fins breaking the surface. Be one of the first photographers to bring home images of one of the world’s last big predatory sharks.
THE ENCOUNTER
Freediving with salmon sharks and photographing terrestrial wildlife.
2023
DATE
June 10-17 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE
June 17-23 FULL
June 24-30 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$5600 per person double occupancy.
A small fuel surcharge may apply.
LEADER
N/A.
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Ravencroft Lodge in Port Fidalgo
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Snorkeling experience only
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
- Mask, snorkel, fins, and 7 mm wetsuit or a drysuit for snorkeling with the salmon sharks.
- Warm clothing; summer in Alaska can sometimes be a bit cool.
- Telephoto lens for eagles, grizzly and black bear sightings and capturing other topside life near the shore.
- EVERYTHING ELSE you think you’ll need because the lodge is extremely remote.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Five days boat travel with a knowledgeable and Dedicated Captain (approx. 6hrs per day at sea).
- Bait for attracting salmon sharks.
- Weight belts.
- Dock access for seft guided afternoon snorkeling sessions.
- Evening boat excursions to photograph eagles and terrestrial wildlife.
- Six nights accommodation in a well equipped lodge (price is for sharing a twin room).
- All meals.
- Boat transfer to and from Valdez (a regular water taxi is $1000 for the return trip).
NOT INCLUDED
- All personal snorkeling gear except weight welts.
- Mandatory travel medical insurance.
- Flights.
- Alcohol.
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
How the Salmon Shark Encounters work:
Salmon sharks are most easily spotted in the mornings, so we generally look for them between 6am and noon. Near the lodge there is a spot that we call ‘Shark Alley’ where the sharks like to hang out. They can often be seen slowly swimming in circles with tips of their dorsal fins just above the water.
When we locate them, the snorkelers quietly slip into the water and swim to the front of the boat. Then the shark wranglers casts a mackerel tied to a line (with no hook) towards the shark. Salmon sharks are notoriously shy so some will immediately bolt, but the braver ones will swim towards the bait, which the wrangler then draws towards the waiting snorkelers.
Once salmon sharks are fixated on the bait, they tend to lose all fear and will approach extremely closely, allowing the snorkelers to watch them at very close quarters. The photography opportunities are excellent, as the accompanying images clearly show!
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
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
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
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!!
