Location: Senegal, West Africa
Ray Diving in Senegal
Scuba diving on the western tip of Africa
Diving with Endemic Rays in Senegal
For the intrepid diver looking for new adventures, the western tip of the African continent offers encounters with endemic species found nowhere else on earth. Exotic ‘Tiger Rays’ are the most abundant mega fauna, but you will likely see large African Stingrays, Pearl Stingrays, Round Fantail Stingrays, and up to four species of endemic torpedo rays. Other more elusive rays you may run into include blue stingrays and blackchin guitarfish.
Otherworldly Reefs
Jutting deep into the tropical Atlantic, much of Senegal’s underwater reef structure is composed of basalt columns that form a strange geometric backdrop. Although lacking an abundance of hard corals, Senegal’s rocky reefs are encrusted in coralline algae which glows a beautiful hot pink colour when illuminated by a diver’s lights or strobes.
Join renowned shark and ray photographer Andy Murch in the pursuit of West Africa’s exotic species.
Diving with Endemic Rays in Senegal
For the intrepid diver looking for new adventures, the western tip of the African continent offers encounters with endemic species found nowhere else on earth. Exotic ‘Tiger Rays’ are the most abundant mega fauna, but you will likely see large African Stingrays, Pearl Stingrays, Round Fantail Stingrays, and up to four species of endemic torpedo rays. Other more elusive rays you may run into include blue stingrays and blackchin guitarfish.
THE ENCOUNTER
Scuba diving with rays in Senegal
2025
DATE
June 30-July 6 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$2,995 per person double occupancy
$3,995 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2027
DATE
TBA 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2029
DATE
TBA 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable and secure hotel in Dakar
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Advanced open water diver / Nitrox.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Six nights in a comfortable hotel in Dakar.
- Five days of guided diving including 2 tanks each day and one tank each night.
- Nitrox when appropriate.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Airport transfers from Dakar International Airport.
WHY COME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
In a word, ACCESS. During the day, you can enjoy Senegal reefs and daytime marine fauna, but the region’s ray megafauna is mostly nocturnal. Senegal has a small expat diving community that you could dive with but they only organize one night dive each week. On our special expedition, we will dive every night, giving us way more opportunities to encounter all that Senegal has to offer!
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | When you arrive on Cat Island, you will be picked up at New Bight Airport and driven to Greenwood Beach Resort where you can unpack, relax by the pool, or go for a stroll along the deserted beach. Your evening is free to prepare you equipment and socialize with the other guests. |
| Days 2-4 | After a light breakfast, we will transfer you to Hawks Nest Marina where you will board our dive boat and head out to sea. After roughly a thirty minute ride into the deep, we will begin chumming for sharks. The oceanic whitetips often arrive within a few minutes. Occasionally, they may take a little longer. Once the sharks begin gathering, they rarely leave again so you will likely be in their company for the rest of the day.
Late in the afternoon we will return to shore and transfer back to the hotel. By the time you have downloaded your images or relaxed in the bar, it will be time for supper, perhaps a nightcap, and a sleep filled with dreams of sharks. |
| Day 5 | After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you back to New Bight Airport for your journey home. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
TRIP REPORTS
2023 Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition Trip Report
2022 Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition Trip Report
2019 Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition Trip Report
2018 Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition Trip Report
2017 Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition Trip Report
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
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
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!!
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
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
