Shark Park 2010 – Swim with Sharks

Location

One of South Africa’s newly proclaimed marine protected areas, the Aliwal Shoal,  is home to South Africa’s first Shark Park.  It is a 7km boat trip from the launch site at Rocky Bay, which is 50 km south of Durban. This Shark Park is 35 km south of the Durban International Airport.

Seasonal Shark Species

December to June:
Tiger Sharks Galeocerdo cuvier 
Whalesharks Rhincodon typus
Dusky Sharks Carcharhinus obscurus
Blacktip Sharks Carcharhinus limbatus
Zambezi Sharks Carcharhinus leucas

June – December:
Tiger Sharks Galeocerdo cuvier
Ragged Tooth Sharks Carcharias Taurus
Dusky Sharks Carcharhinus obscures
Blacktip Sharks Carcharhinus limbatus
Copper sharks Carcharhinus brachyurus

November – February:
Giant guitar shark Rhynchobatus djiddensis

Itinerary:
07h30:  Meet at Shark Park.
07h30 – 08h00: Kit up and shark briefing
08h00 – 08h30: Boat launch
12h00 – 14h30: return to shore
14h30 – 15h00: Freshen up and coffee.

Water Temperature
January – June: 22°C to 28°C. (3-5mm wetsuit advised)
July – December:  18°C to 24°C. (5mm wetsuit advised)

Dive Type
Surface drift dive. Snorkeling / scuba air/ Nitrox mixes / rebreathers. Boat-based viewing opportunities available for non-divers.

Costs
A Shark Park dive costs R1200  per person.
This price includes:
One Shark Park dive per person
One cylinder and weighted belt per person