UK Shark & Dolphins Snorkel & Free Dive Trip
Here is your chance to snorkel or freedive with both Blue Sharks and Dolphins in the wild. Whether you want to take pictures and or video, or just to enjoy the experience, being in the wild with wildlife is a truly thrilling experience.
What’s the plan?
You’ll be coming with me, Ben Loyd Holmes on an adventure you’re sure to remember. I will be photographing and filming the sharks, dolphins, tuna and anything else we are lucky enough to see as well as filming us! I’d love to get some footage of us all and why each person is doing it etc, but don’t worry there is no need to be on camera if you don’t want to. Who am I? I’m PADI Divemaster, photographer and filmmaker.
There will be a social the night before and the night after the Adventure, no need to attend either or but if you want to, it’s a chance to talk about everything wildlife and more. For those not attending the socials, we will meet at the Marina.
It will be a FULL day on the boat and in the water so please be rested and ready for a day at sea. We will be out around 10-20 miles from the coast, so it’s advisable to bring some snacks, water and layers of clothes as well as sun protection. This is judged as a safe activity and we will be going with local guides that specialise in this activity, however every individual is responsible for their own safety and must listen to the directions given.
If you have a wetsuit, you can of course bring it. If you don’t have one you can hire one locally. There’s more information on that below. If you are filming or taking pics, there’s lots of options from simple GoPro to more serious kit. Just remember to strap it to your wrist. If you’ve got questions I’ll be happy to help and answer as much as I can.
After the Adventure we will retire to a local bar and hopefully celebrate a great day at sea and of course compare pics and video.
Dates available
- Friday – 26th August £170
- Saturday – 24th September £170
In order to book please email here CLICK HERE TO BOOK – a place will only be confirmed and held once a deposit is in place as space is very limited. When you book please state clearly for how many places and which date.
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Before booking please read the below!
What you need to know
Am I guaranteed to see a shark?
We use all our expertise and knowledge but we can’t guarantee the sharks will want to interact. Please make sure you are happy with this before you book. We operate at the peak times of the year for swimming with blue sharks in Cornwall. We have great success rating and although it’s highly unlikely, there is a chance you may not see a shark or dolphin – it is not a theme park with captive animals, nor would we want it to be. Part of the excitement of this experience is being out on the open ocean not knowing what you are going to encounter. It’s one of things that makes this kind of trip so amazing.
Is there an age restriction?
We prefer not to take children under the age of 14. If your child is under 14 and a confident swimmer plus has experience in open water get in touch. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied in the water with an adult/guardian.
Do I need experience?
You should be comfortable wearing a snorkel and mask in open water.
Do I need a dive certification?
You do not need a dive qualification to join our trips. This is snorkelling only. No scuba diving.
Will there be a guide in the water with me?
Yes we will have a snorkel guide in the water with you at all times.
What is the sea temperature?
AUGUST average 16.5 degrees centigrade – Max 19
SEPTEMBER average 15.5 degrees centigrade – Max 17
What happens once we reach the snorkelling site?
We normally head 10-20 miles off shore. The chum is dropped in the water by the side of the boat and then we wait.
The sharks may appear after 30 minutes or 3 hours. It can sometimes be a little rocky whilst we are stationary waiting in the boat, but once they appear they normally stay with us for a couple of hours.
Where do we meet?
Meet Ben @ Albert Pier, Penzance, TR18 2LL
Is there parking?
All day parking is available in the harbour car park. £8 for 24 hrs. Payable by card, cash or Just Park app.
Note: the nearby public toilets require a 20p coin.
Is there a toilet onboard?
Yes. We have a flushing toilet onboard the boat.
What should we wear?
We don’t provide wetsuits, extended time in the water can get chilly, so please bring your own or hire from one of our recommended hire outlets. We recommend at least 5mm thickness.
When entering the water, you MUST be dressed in DARK colours. YOU MUST WEAR a DARK FULL LENGTH WINTER WETSUIT, HOOD, GLOVES and BOOTS/SOCKS and you do so entirely at your own risk.
Avoid any large patches of white or yellow. Logos are fine. If you have bright patches, then you could cover them up by wearing a black top/rash vest/leggings over the top.
PLEASE PRE-BOOK PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP DATE
Hire Prices
- FINS £5
- WETSUIT BOOTS/SOCKS £5
- SNORKEL AND MASK £5
- WETSUIT HOOD £5
- WETSUIT GLOVES £5
- WEIGHT BELT £10
WETSUIT HIRE OUTLETS
You can hire winter wetsuits nearby at The Hoxton Special based on Marazion Beach
Email: info@thehoxtonspecial.com
Tel: 07572432402
OR
Porthminster beach St.Ives Surf School.
https://www.stivessurfschool.co.uk/hire
If you are looking to buy wetsuit/hood/wetsuit socks/gloves -head over to West Cornwall Surf.
Snorkelling equipment is available to buy at Watersports warehouse in Hayle.
https://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk
My wetsuit has bright white/Yellow patches. Can I wear it?
If you can cover up your bright patches with a long sleeve black rash vest, then yes. The rash vest would need to stay in place and not ride up.
My snorkel and mask/Fins aren’t black, can I wear them?
Only black or dark coloured masks/fins are allowed. Camo is fine if it’s blue or dark green.
We have black snorkelling equipment available to hire at very reasonable prices.
Do you use chum?
Yes we use frozen blocks of chum. This is more of a taste than a meal. Our trips are irregular and not in the same location so the sharks won’t see this as a regular occurrence for a source of food. Plus blue sharks are open pelagic species which travel thousands of miles across the ocean – very different from resident sharks that stay in one area.
Will I be insured?
Our insurance only covers you when you are in the boat so if you require in-water cover you will need to arrange this privately.
You will be asked to sign a waiver at the time of booking.
MEDICAL
You will be asked to complete a medical form on the day of the trip.
If you have a medical condition or had recent surgery, please contact us and we can email over the medical form and you’ll need to bring a signed doctor’s letter stating you are fit for the trip.
Whats your cancellation Policy?
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO SEA CONDITIONS.
- The organiser and operator has the right to cancel the scheduled charter at any point leading up to the trip due to adverse weather conditions.
- If it is necessary to cancel the charter due to circumstances beyond the organiser and operators control, you can choose to reschedule for an alternative date or receive a full refund.
In the event of customer cancellation then the following will apply;
20 weeks before the trips date – 50% payment will be taken.
Less than 8 weeks before the trip date – 100 % payment will be taken.
- It is the individual’s responsibility to make sure they have read the details of our trip and snorkel/free dive within their own training limits and experience.
- The organiser and operator and all its associates will not be held liable for loss or damage of any personal belongings/equipment/camera equipment.
- If one individual is booking the charter on behalf of others, it is their responsibility to make the other members of the group aware of the terms and conditions.
- There’s no money back if we don’t see the sharks.
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID-19
If Covid restrictions stop the entire trip from going ahead then you will receive the refund of your deposit. If you get Covid or any other illness that prevents you from attending, it will be classed as a customer cancellation.
Where can I stay overnight?
There are plenty of places to stay overnight, and we will do a social the night before and the the night after, details of which will follow
Mount View Hotel – https://mountviewhotelcornwall.com
Premier Inn Hotel – https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/cornwall/pen zance/penzance.html
Longboat – https://www.longboatinn.co.uk
Penzance Backpackers – http://www.pzbackpack.com