2024 DATES SWIM WITH BLUE SHARK(DEPOSIT ONLY)

Join us on a unique shark snorkelling trip in search of blue sharks!

The Southwest of Cornwall is hugely attractive to blue sharks at certain times of the year, they come here to feed on the nutrient-rich waters that are unique to the area.

Our Shark Eco Tourism tours operate at the peak times of the year for swimming with blue sharks in Cornwall.

Joining an ecotour for swimming with blue sharks is a fun and educational way to contribute to marine conservation efforts. We have various research programmes trialling throughout the season on our boat and take data from each trip.

We have a 90% success rating and although it’s highly unlikely, there is a chance you may not see a shark - we are not a theme park with captive animals, nor would we want 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 what makes this trip so amazing.

Although the sharks are the main focus of the trip– there's also a fantastic range of marine life in the area, so you’ll have a chance of seeing minke whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sunfish, basking sharks, porpoise and much more.

IMPORTANT INFO!! MUST READ....

AGE RESTRICTION AND SNORKELLING EXPERIENCE

This trip isn’t aimed at beginner snorkelers. If you are new to snorkelling then this trip isn't for you.

Please make sure you are comfortable using a snorkel and mask and confident in open water.

You do not need a dive qualification to join our trips. This is snorkelling only. No diving.

We normally head 10-20 miles offshore. The chum is dropped in the water 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 may stay with us for a couple of hours.

We don't take children under the age of 16.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied in the water by an adult/guardian.

SCHEDULE

• Arrive 45 minutes before departure to allow time to park, get changed and pay.

• Due to tides/conditions, the departure time will be confirmed 48hrs before the trip - but it’s generally between 8.30-10AM.

• Listen to the captain’s safety briefing

• We will head out to our shark snorkelling destination!

• Once on location we will discuss in detail how to safely swim with the sharks.

• The iced chum is placed in the water and we wait for the sharks. (This can be anything from 1-4 hours)

• We aim to return to the harbour by 5 pm. Depending on the sharks and weather conditions we could be back at a different time.

• Say our goodbyes!

COST AND HOW TO BOOK

Please view our availability calendar to check dates and space availability.

PRICE PER PERSON £195

10 people per trip.

DEPOSIT £65PP required at the time of booking.

The remaining amount is due on the day and is to be paid at the office either on card or with cash.

PRIVATE BOAT CHARTER (max of 10 passengers) £1800

You will be contacted via email 48 hours before the trip to let you know if the forecast is ok to go. Please check your emails including Junk Mail.

*Please note, we cannot pay or help towards reimbursing for any cancelled accommodation if the trip cannot go ahead.

*****IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ALL OF THE BELOW*****

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. You'll need to bring a signed doctor's letter stating you're fit for the trip.

WETSUIT AND EQUIPMENT

When entering the water you do so entirely at your own risk. You MUST be dressed in DARK colours and YOU MUST WEAR a DARK FULL-LENGTH WINTER WETSUIT(5mm), HOOD, GLOVES and BOOTS/SOCKS.

We wear dark colours so we blend into the ocean, not for warmth. These clothing rules are not optional.

Blue sharks are attracted to shiny surfaces and bright colours. Avoid any large patches of white or yellow(small logos are fine). If you have bright patches then you can cover them up by wearing a black top/rash vest/leggings over the top.

Wetsuit boots/Gloves/Hoods/Weight belts/Fins/Snorkel and Masks are required and can be pre-booked at the time of booking.

Blue Shark Snorkel Hire Prices

£30 Bundle - Wetsuit boots/Gloves/Hood/Snorkel&Mask/Fins/Weight Belt

£5 Boots

£5 Gloves

£5 Hood

£10 Fins

£5 Snorkel and Mask

Free hire for Weight Belts and dry robes.

WE DO NOT PROVIDE WETSUITS. Please bring your own or hire 5mm suits from our recommended hire outlet at St.Ives Surf School on Porthmeor beach.

https://www.stivessurfschool.co.uk/hire. Suits are £15 for 1 full day rental.

Please collect the suit between 2pm and 4:30pm the day before your trip and return the following morning before 11am. A £50 card deposit is required on collection of the suit. *Please do not phone/email the surf school in advance to book hire, we work closely with them and they will always have plenty of suits available.

*Wetsuit Hire collection and return service* For an additional £15 per wetsuit we can collect and return your wetsuit to and from St Ives Surf School. This service is available for most of our trips. Please email Johnny from St Ives Surf School ( johnnyfryer@hotmail.co.uk) to enquire and discuss sizing. Payment is only due once your trip is fully confirmed (normally 2 days before). Wetsuits will be brought to the Blue Shark Snorkel office by your tour guide on the morning of your trip.

If you are looking to buy a wetsuit/hood/wetsuit socks/gloves. Head over to West Cornwall Surf.

http://www.tombstonesurf.com

GO PROS

If you’re bringing a go pro or similar, please make sure it’s on an extendable stick (NO YELLOW FLOATS) We have black tape on hand if you need to cover up any small areas.

SAFETY

Your safety is our priority.

At blue shark snorkel we provide you with instructions that allow the safest interaction possible.

We are diligent about checking the latest weather forecast and sea conditions. If the conditions are not safe then we will cancel.

Blue sharks are very intelligent and will approach objects (including humans) very slowly and cautiously. Once they are comfortable with our presence they will become more inquisitive.

If you are nervous about entering the water then watching from the boat will be advised.

You will always have a snorkel guide with you in the water and you will be split into 2/3 groups per swim.

You must abide by our code of conduct which you will find on our website and will also be made aware of on the day.

Safety ropes are attached to the back of the boat for you to hold onto.

CHECKLIST

• Black/Dark wetsuit (no large patches of neon, bright yellow or white. logos and dark colours are fine) You can use dark rash vests or dark top/bottoms to help cover up bright patches if need be.

• Black wetsuit hood/gloves/socks or boots. (Logos are fine)

• Black/Dark snorkel and mask (avoid white, yellow)

• Dark Fins (No short bodyboard/swim fins)

• Windproof coat

• Towel

• Hat/sunglasses

• Suncream

• Drink and lunch (WE PROVIDE HOT DRINKS ON THE BOAT)

• Sea sickness tablets!!!

PHOTOGRAPHY

Blue sharks are a favourite for any underwater photographer. Their beauty and inquisitive nature allow incredible close-up encounters.

The nose of a blue shark is covered in electroreceptors, which enables them to detect and interpret magnetic energy produced by other fish and also our cameras.

Some sharks are quite happy to rub their noses on camera equipment, so if you are bringing a go pro, please attach it to a stick or handlebar plate.

Strobes are permitted once your guide gives you the thumbs up.

THE BOAT

Celtic Fox is a well-appointed evolution 38, powered by a 500 hp Yanmar engine. She has a flush toilet and seating for all.

There’s plenty of space for camera gear and snorkel equipment but please only bring what is necessary.

We use frozen chum to reduce the fishy smell. Please use seasickness patches/tablets if you suffer from seasickness.

WHERE TO STAY

Premier Inn Hotel - Close to pier (5 min walk) Also has a last minute cancellation policy

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/cornwall/penzance/penzance.html

Longboat - Penzance (10 min walk)

https://www.longboatinn.co.uk

Mountview Hotel - Longrock (5 min drive)

https://www.mountviewhotelcornwall.com/?redirect=false

WHERE TO MEET AND TIME OF DEPARTURE

MJ MARINE CHARTERS

Unit 4 Albert Pier

Penzance

TR18 2LL

Walk onto the pier, the sailing club will be on your left. We are at the end of the pier.

PARKING

All-day parking is available in the harbour car park. £8 for 24 hrs.

Payable by card, cash or Just Park app.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

CANCELLATIONS

• Blue shark snorkel 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 Blue Shark Snorkels' control, you can choose to reschedule for an alternative date or receive a full refund.

• In the event of customer cancellation Blue shark snorkel will try to re-sell the space/s/charter. The admin fee is £10pp.

If we are unable to resell then the following will apply;

Up to 10 weeks before the trip date - Loss of deposit

4 -8 weeks before the trips date - 50% payment will be taken.

Less than 4 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.

• Blue Shark snorkel 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.

INSURANCE

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.

WHY ARE BLUE SHARKS IN CORNWALL?

From June to late October, the South West of Cornwall is hugely attractive to blue sharks. They come here to feed on the nutrient-rich waters that are unique to the area.

The blue sharks that we see in Cornwall range from 4-9ft in length, although they can grow as large as 12ft.

We see both male and female blue sharks on the south coast of Cornwall, although the majority are females and juveniles, with the females being the larger of the two sexes.

Male blue sharks tend to travel south towards tropical climates and the females and juveniles travel east to more temperate climates, seasonally moving between breeding areas in the north west Atlantic and pupping areas in the northeast and north Atlantic.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO SNORKEL WITH BLUE SHARKS?

The blue sharks visit our waters from May-October.

The best time is from mid-June through to mid-October. We don't see a pattern that determines a "best month" - we have both good and not-so-good days throughout the season.

It's not uncommon for us to have half a dozen sharks around us at one time but we must also accept that the sharks may not always turn up.