Snorkel with Blue SHARKS IN CORNWALL!Snorkel with Blue Sharks in
Cornwall
Are you ready for the thrill of snorkeling with blue sharks in their
natural environment?!
The South West 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.
This trip isn’t aimed at beginner snorkelers. You don't need a dive
qualification but you need to have previous experience wearing a
snorkel and mask in open water.
We operate at the peak times of the year for swimming with blue sharks
in Cornwall.
We have a 95% 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.
PLEASE READ....
AGE RESTRICTION AND SNORKELLING EXPERIENCE
This trip isn’t aimed at beginner snorkelers. If you are new to
snorkelling then this trip might not be for you.
Please make sure you are comfortable using a snorkel and mask.
You do not need a dive qualification to join our trips. This is
snorkelling only. No diving.
We normally head 10-20 miles off shore. 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 normally stay with us
for a couple of hours.
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.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO SNORKEL WITH BLUE SHARKS?
The blue sharks visit our waters throughout May-October.
The best time is from June through to mid October.
Unlike other locations around the world it's not uncommon for us to
have half a dozen sharks around us at one time!
SCHEDULE
• Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure to allow time to park,
get changed and pay.
• Due to tides, the departure time will be confirmed 48hrs before
the trip - but it’s always between 9-10AM.
• Listen to the captain’s safety briefing
• We will head out to our shark snorkelling destination!
• On the way out 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 1-3 hours)
• We aim to return to the harbour by 4/5 pm. Depending on the sharks
and weather conditions we could be back at a different time.
• Say our good-byes!
COST AND HOW TO BOOK
Please view our availability calendar to check dates and space
availability.
PRICE PER PERSON £180
8-10 people per trip.
DEPOSIT £60PP 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 8 passengers) £1000
PRIVATE BOAT CHARTER (max of 10 passengers) £1200
You will be contacted 48 hours before the trip to let you know if the
forecast is ok to go.
*Please note, we cannot pay or help towards reimbursing for any
cancelled accommodation if the trip cannot go ahead.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO SEA CONDITIONS.
• 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 then Blue shark snorkel will
try to re-sell the space/s/charter. If we are unable to resell then
the following will apply;
Up to 20 weeks before the trip date - Loss of deposit
4 -16 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.
You will be asked to sign a waiver at the time of booking.
WHERE TO MEET AND TIME OF DEPARTURE
MJ MARINE CHARTERS
Unit 4 Albert Pier
Penzance
TR18 2LL
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
SAFETY
Your safety is our priority.
At blue shark snorkel we provide you with the safest interaction
possible.
We are diligent about checking the latest weather forecast and sea
conditions. If the conditions are not suitable then we will cancel.
This trip is offered at the peak times of the year for swimming with
blue sharks in Cornwall. 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.
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. We have the experience to
monitor the well-being of each shark we swim with, providing you and
the sharks with the safest encounter.
You will have a qualified snorkel guide with you in the water at all
times.
Safety ropes are attached to the back of the boat for you to hold onto
if you wish.
WETSUIT AND EQUIPMENT
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 anything white, yellow
or shiny as this can mistaken for scales of a fish.
We ask you to wear dark colours so we blend into the ocean, not for
warmth. These clothing rules are not optional.
We have a limited number of black snorkel and
masks/fins/boots/gloves/weight belts available to hire. These need to
be pre-ordered at the time of booking and are not available at the
pier.
*EQUIPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LAUNCH SIGHT.
PLEASE PREBOOK PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP
DATE*
You can hire black winter wetsuits at Porthminster beach St.Ives Surf
School.
https://www.stivessurfschool.co.uk/hire
[https://www.stivessurfschool.co.uk/hire]
If you are looking to buy wetsuit/hood/wetsuit socks/gloves. Head over
to West Cornwall Surf.
http://www.tombstonesurf.com [http://www.tombstonesurf.com]
Snorkelling equipment is available to buy at Watersports warehouse in
Hayle.
https://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk
[https://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk]
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.
Your snorkel guide will also capture your encounters and share the
footage/photos with you when conditions are suitable to do so.
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
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/cornwall/penzance/penzance.html
[https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/cornwall/penzance/penzance.html]
Longboat https://www.longboatinn.co.uk [https://www.longboatinn.co.uk]
PENZANCE Backpackers http://www.pzbackpack.com
[http://www.pzbackpack.com]
Get to Know Blue Sharks
WHY ARE THEY IN CORNWALL?
Through May to 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 north east and north Atlantic.
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03/09/2021 Last update