Location: Various locations from False Bay to Aliwal Shoal in South Africa
South African Endemic Shark Photography Expedition
The ultimate quest to photograph all of South Africa’s endemic shark species
If you are a serious shark fan and want to photograph as many sharks as possible, we are running a very special South African Endemic Shark Expedition in February 2024.
This expedition will start on the Indian Ocean side of South Africa in Port Elizabeth. From there we will move to Plettenberg Bay, then False Bay, and finish with some exploratory diving on the wild west coast of South Africa. At each location we will conduct chummed reef dives to photograph different catsharks including rarely seen Tiger Catsharks, Lined Catsharks, Brown Shysharks, and Natal Shysharks.
The trip will include four days of diving in the Western Cape because of the sheer abundance and diversity of shark species in that area. In False Bay alone, we will probably encounter Leopard Catsharks, Pyjama Catsharks, Puffadder Shysharks, Dark Shysharks, Spotted Gully Sharks, huge Broadnose Sevengill Sharks and Tiger Catsharks. We will also spend a day offshore diving with Blue Sharks, and Makos.
THE ENCOUNTER
Diving with all of South Africa’s accessible sharks and some that are usually completely inaccessible!
2024
DATE
February 4-16 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$6995 per person double occupancy
$7995 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels or lodges in Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay, Simonstown, and the west coast.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Experienced open water divers only.
CONDITIONS
Water Temp: 13 – 20º C (7 mm suit recommended)
Water visibility: 5 – 30 meters
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
- 12 Nights in a variety of comfortable hotels.
- Airport transfers (Port Elizabeth and Cape Town)
- Transportation between lodges along the coast of South Africa.
- 11 days of baited dives. 2-3 dives each day
- Professional Shark Diving Guides
- Weights and tanks
- Breakfast at the hotels and lodges
- Pack lunches & drinks on the boats
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Dinners
- Alcohol
- Dive gear
- Crew gratuities
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
A unique ‘once only’ opportunity!
We will be visiting a variety of destinations that are already on the diving map, but none of the local operators have experience in attracting endemic catsharks and other shark species. We will be traveling with the crew from Shark Explorers who have been successfully conducting baited shark dives in False Bay for many years. They are as excited as we are about the opportunity to chum for sharks in never-before-chummed spots along the coast of South Africa.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Port Elizabeth and transfer to the Lodge.
|
| Day 2-3 |
Dive Port Elizabeth’s beautiful reefs to look for raggedtooth sharks and rare shyshark species.
After our second morning of diving in P.E. we will transfer to Plettenberg Bay
|
| Day 4-5 | Dive Plettenberg Bay to look for Raggedtooth Sharks, shysharks, and catsharks. After our second morning of diving in Plettenberg Bay we will transfer to the Quayside Hotel in Simonstown |
| Day 6-9 | Dive False Bay with Sevengill Sharks and a variety of catsharks, shysharks, and spotted gully sharks. On the best weather day, we will head off Cape Point to chum for blue sharks and makos. |
| Day 10-12 | Exploratory diving on the South Atlantic coast of South Africa; specific dive locations to be decided. This is a rarely dived area where we hope to see sevengill sharks, yellowspotted catsharks, and more on pristine reefs. |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Cape Town Airport |
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
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
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
