The Experience

Join Shark Explorers on a unique dive with sevengill cowsharks. This is one of the only places in the world that you can consistently dive with these rarely seen sharks. Sevengill cowsharks are formidable predators of seals, other sharks and fish. They are called “wolves of the sea” because of their cooperative hunting behaviour which is extraordinary behaviour amongst sharks. What adds to the unique experience is that because of their natural curiosity and confidence we don’t use any form of chum or bait to interact with them.

Habitat

The sharks are found in between the kelp forests of the Cape in a Marine Protected Area (MPA). This means the ecosystem is healthy and has an abundance and diversity of a variety of fish, shellfish and soft corals.

Shark behaviour and diver interaction

The sevengill cowsharks are very curious and confident sharks. They swim slowly through the kelp or over the sandy channels between the kelp. They are social sharks and are often found in groups of 10 – 20. The size range seen by divers is between 1 – 3 meters. They will readily approach divers to get a closer look which means they swim right up to you and only turn at the very last minute. Close encounters are common.

      DIVE DETAILS AND COST

        Location:  Cape Town, South Africa

        Season:  All year

        The dive:  SCUBA dive.

        Minimum experience required:  Open Water 1 Certification. Make sure to bring proof of certification         with you.

        Dive Depth:  6 – 12 meters (20 – 40 feet)

        Water temperature:  10 – 20 º C

        Water visibility:  3 – 20 meters

        Dive time:  between 30 – 60 minutes

        Chumming and baiting:  None

        Dive package includes:

            1. Two guided SCUBA dives
            2. Snacks & cool drinks on boat
            3. Dive briefing and full shark presentation
            4. Visit to the Save Our Seas Shark Centre (optional)

     Cost:  R1250 per person (excluding dive kit). Kit rental additional R350 for a full set.

       We take a maximum of 6 people (unless in a group) to reduce the impact on the sharks and enhance your personal        experience.

Tips for safely diving with sevengill cowsharks

These sharks do not like to be touched in any way whatsoever, whether it’s intentional or accidental. The best way to safely dive with these sharks is to always be aware of your position in the water and where you are kicking. Being in complete control of your buoyancy will help you achieve this. Make sure that you keep eye contact with any sharks that are approaching you. Make sure that you do not corner the shark or make it feel boxed in where it may react by biting because it feels threatened.

Filming and photography

Great close-up opportunities exist for filming and still photography of the sevengill cowsharks, smaller catsharks, endemic fish and the kelp forest provides the ideal setting.

      SHARK DIVE PACKAGES

  We offer customised shark diving packages to meet your needs so contact us directly for more   information. However we do have a few very popular suggestions:

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) sevengill cowshark spotted gully and cat sharks 2) sevengill cowshark and   Cape fur seals

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) seal and cowsharks 2) white sharks

  Two days in CapeTown -   1) seal, cowshark 2) blues & makos (seasonal)

  Three days in CapeTown -   1) seal & sevengill 2) blues & makos (seasonal) 3)white sharks

  Five days CapeTown to Aliwal -   1)seal & sevengill 2)blues & makos 3)white sharks 4) Tigers 5)raggies

      Contact us for more details info@sharkexplorers.com