Shark Cage Diving runs from 1st Dec 2023 to June 2024

 

DO YOU GUARANTEE I’LL SEE SHARKS?

Answer;   No.. but we hope so!  Our job is to get you to the remote and amazing place they hang out, and then Mother Nature is boss!   We are grateful that we get to see wild animals in their own environment in this special part of the world but sometimes they are elusive on the day. Check out our No Shark Sighted Policy   Worst case scenario, you have to spend a day out with us again!

 

WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?

Answer: We are based in Bluff which is small a port town located right at the bottom of the South Island, New Zealand. We are a 25 minute drive from Invercargill,  2.5 hrs drive from Queenstown and 3hrs from Dunedin.    The nearest domestic airport is Invercargill, or International Airports for Queenstown and Dunedin are only 3 hours away. Bluff only has one main street and you'll find our booking office is smack bang in the middle, two doors down from the supermarket.  

 

ARE YOU GUYS ON STEWART ISLAND?

Answer;   No.. we are in Bluff right at the bottom of the South Island.   Although we no longer offer drop offs at Oban, Stewart Island/Rakiura, the Skipper does aim for a return to Bluff Port by 5pm so those heading south can catch the last ferry to the island.  

 

I'VE NEVER DIVED, CAN I GO IN THE CAGE?

Answer:  We offer an 'introduction to Underwater breathing' training session on the tour with our Dive Lead.  This training is designed to give new divers confidence when using the dive equipment and its an opportunity to dive with a professional in the cage before the FUN stuff happens!  We want you to be confident, comfortable and get value for money for the day.  

 

I DID MY SCUBA TRAINING YEARS AGO, ITS BEEN A WHILE, DO I NEED TO DO THE TRAINING AGAIN?

Answer:  We are certainly happy to have you go through the  'Introduction to Underwater breathing' training session the tour with our Dive Lead as a refresher.  But in most cases, its like riding a bike - you never forget how to use a reg.   Our dive team are on hand throughout the day and are there to support you.   Remember to bring your old Card, log book or any written proof of your training, as this will allow you to dive on an Experienced Diver fare.    

 

IS THERE FOOD?

Answer:     Morning tea and a complimentary light lunch are on offer to humans during the tour.  Lunch varies from day to day but may include packed sandwiches, savories or Southland's famous Cheese rolls. Tea Coffee, Cup-A-Soups, fruit and biscuits are available for morning tea. All water on the vessel is filtered.    Special diets should be self catered, especially medical based diets as our vessel travels to a remote location.  

 

WHAT SORT OF SHARKS DO YOU SEE?

 Answer: There are plenty of sharks in the Foveaux Strait, but we park up where the bigger ones go.  Over the summer months Great White Sharks are our most common sightings, but when the waters are warmer we also see Mako, Blues and the odd lost sevengiller.

 

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?

 Answer: The tour is labelled as a "full day tour' as its an early start and can last all day - it really just depends on the sharks!   Check-in time is 6:45am at the Shark Shop in Bluff, with our usual tour departure time at 7am.  This time can change pending weather updates, so our team will contact you 72 hours prior to advise of any updates.   Return time varies, but we aim for a 5pm return to Bluff, where possible.

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Answer:    Divers should bring togs/bathers, a towel, warm clothing and determination!   Experienced Divers, please bring your proof of Dive Training/Certification.  You are most welcome to bring own mask and suit but we recommend a 7mm full  dive suit as a minimum. All our wetsuits are picked for our conditions and  as all other items are  sanitized during the operation.     Sightseers should bring a sun cap, warm clothing, great eye sight and a loud voice for yelling 'Shark!'          Everyone should prepare for sea sickness, bring a camera,  polarized glasses  and any special dietary requirements you might have.    

 

HOW DO I GET FROM INVERCARGILL TO BLUFF?

Answer: Bluff is a 25min drive, from Invercargill.  Most of the common rental car providers are located at Invercargill Domestic Airport.  Although there is no longer a public bus service, Shuttle services are available or maybe cycle on the Bluff Cycle way (1.5hrs).  Check our We Recommend Page for details. 

 

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

Answer: Welcome to Southland! <<insert crazy Bluffy laugh here>>  Weather is key, but although we go out in rain, hail and snow, wind is a big factor for crossing the Foveaux Strait. Our dive location is nestled in a group of islands to its generally calm, but getting there is half the adventure!   Weather assessments are done 72hours, 48hours and 24 hours prior to trip.  If the Captain decides to postpone departure or cancel, we will contact you ASAP.

 

WHAT IF SICKNESS MESSES WITH MY TRAVEL PLANS?

Answer:  We try to be as flexible when illness impacts  your day out with the team. If you are unable to travel due to illness,  then talk to our team on +64 3 2127112 .  We can offer solutions based on government regulations/mandates in place at the time. Our standard cancellations policy stays for all other scenarios.

 

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Answer:  If you cancel your booking within 48 hours of your trip or simply fail to arrive, or fail to  contact us, then there is no refund.    If you cancel your booking outside of the 48 hours, then 20% of the booking amount is retained as a charge for the cancellation.  This amount is primarily to cover our booking service fees with our third party provider and any cost associated with filling your spot on a tour.  If your booking was made through an agent, please contact your agent to discuss the refund as their terms may differ from our standard conditions. 

 

DOES ANYONE TAKE PHOTOS?

Answer: Yes, you!   The best view of the sharks is in the cage - and that's where were want you!   Shark Experience do not offer professional photography services on any tours, however we do have GoPro and Underwater Cameras available for hire (best to reserve these) and we encourage you to bring own too. We do record footage of sharks for our Identification Program, and if its of good quality we are always happy to share it.  For more info on our Hire Camera options, click here  

 

HOW CLEAR IS THE WATER DOWN YOUR WAY?

Answer: Its not bad, some days its amazing! . Depending on the tide... the weather... the general sea conditions we get between 10m to 20m visibility. 

 

WHATS THE WATER TEMP DOWN THERE?

Answer:  Anywhere between 10 to 14 degrees Celsius.   We did have one day in 2023 when it was 17 degrees.!  In true Southland form -  sometimes its warmer in the water than it is on deck!   We keep you sorted with a 7mm wetsuit but bring extra warm clothing for after the dive. 

 

HOW MANY SHARKS DO YOU SEE ON AVERAGE?

Answer: It varies! they are wild animals and they do want they want!   We have a Shark Sightings Calendar that is updated daily ( NC= No Charter) and this shows how many  sharks we can identify that day, but generally there may be more, we just cant keep up!. Its uncommon to see the same sharks all season or even in a week. 

 

WHY DO THE SHARKS COME HERE?

Answer: We'd love to say because of us! but we just aren't that good! Our dive site is located in the Northern TiTi Islands about 45 minute voyage from Bluff.  We anchor near a seal colony that has been in on the uninhabited island for generations. Seals + Sharks?... well that's another story. 

 

HOW BIG ARE THE SHARKS?

Answer: They come in all shapes and sizes. In the early in the season,  we tend to see the curious wee boys (3m to 3.5m) and slowly as the months progress, the  boys get bigger (3.5m to 4m) and then the Big Gals arrive!.  

 

WHEN DO THE SHARKS COME BACK?

Answer: Some of them are here all the time!    Great Whites have been roaming Southland/New Zealand waters for a very long time. They come they go... some return every year, some just come visit seals while passing. Stories about Sharks off the Foveaux Strait go back generations. 

HOW BIG IS YOUR BOAT?

Answer:  The Southern Isle is a 17m alloy beastie who was designed for and roams the Foveaux Strait since her launch.    She handles the bigger waves, is covered in shark pictures and has the odd comfort (a shark cage, a toilet, a shower, a kitchen, a viewing platform, changing room etc)  She's not as big as Bluff Hill Motupohue, but she stands out in a crowd.  

 

HOW SAFE IS THAT CAGE?

Answer: Im going with SAFE! Its custom designed to accommodate divers and sightseers (see the nice fence on the top?). Its been approved following some strict guidelines by the dudes that know safety. Its bolted to the vessel so although you are still under water you are not going anywhere without a boat. Its roomy enough for five divers at one time and has easy access ladders to get in and out.  

 

WHAT TIME DO WE GET BACK?

 Answer: The tour is labelled as a "full day tour' as its an early start and can last all day - it really just depends on the sharks!    Return time varies, but we aim for a 5pm return to Bluff where possible.

 

CAN I DIVE IF I AM UNWELL?

Answer;   We ask all our passengers and divers to sign a medical disclosure advising that you are well enough to dive and participate in activities on the tour.  If you can not honestly sign that, we would prefer you sought alternatives, an alternate date or approach us to advise what options we have to accommodate you on a tour.      As well as respecting your needs, we also have other passengers who also need a safe day at sea.   As a dive boat we use shared equipment and host our passengers on a commercial vessel.     But... we are here to make dreams come true, so if you have a bucket list that must have Diving with Sharks ticked (in a short time frame) then call us - we will help find a solution! 

 

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?

Answer;   We have a saying around here "Every Day is Different"!   Our business partners are Mother Nature, Wild animals and the Foveaux Strait.    Generally our tours can range from 5 hours to 10 hours...    All scheduled tours depart at 7am, however if weather or conditions are not suitable, we may postpone your tour to enable a safe or more comfortable passage.        We do like to have everyone back to Bluff by 5pm, but if our mornings are full of sharks and memory making moments, we can have you home earlier.  In Autumn and Winter it can be very cold on the Strait, so getting you home early is key to keeping to you warm!
 

CAN I REFUND A VOUCHER?

Answer:   Since we like to keep it real - that is a No.   There are some very interesting things you can do with vouchers,  so they are considered a purchase with an expiry date. Gift Vouchers are transferable to another person - just drop us an email.   Return Trip Vouchers issued under our No Shark Sighted Policy are not transferable and not refundable. The value they hold is on us... we just want to honour the original purchase you made and get you back out there to see a shark.   For most people they are accepted as another opportunity to make a dream come true. 

 

 

THAT BIG QUESTION ABOUT SHARK CAGE DIVING:      

IS SHARK CAGE DIVING LEGAL IN NEW ZEALAND? 

 Answer:     Yes.  Shark Experience operate as a Shark Cage Diving tour company legally. 

The Wildlife Act 1953 was put under the microscope following a court case where a commercial dive/fishing group took the Department of Conservation to court over water safety matters.  The legal action and interpretation of this old bit of legislation meant that our industry had to change how it operated - so we did.  All Cage Diving Tours conducted by Shark Experience between September 2018 and October 2019 were done so without Incentive Baits for the purpose of enticing sharks.  As it worked out... .... Mother Nature amazed us with a 94% sighting rate for the 2018/2019 season.  Curiosity and a wee bit of patience was meant everyday was different. On the 11th October 2019.. .the Supreme Court of New Zealand made a decision that changed all of that again.  Shark Experience fought that battle, financed that battle and did so with conservation and sensible tourism in mind.   

Shark Experience will continue to operate with the original industry Code of Practice in place.  There are some older and very out of date websites out there that are yet to be updated....  so if you have any questions - just call!    Phone:  + 64 3 212 7112 

 

Photo Credit:  Catherine Travers 2020 Great White Shark Edwards Island

 

Shark Cage Diving "No Shark Sighted Policy" with Shark Experience

Your shark experience relies on the cooperation of an unpredictable, magnificent wild animals.  None of the animals we deal with are trained.   When dealing with any natural event or animal, there are no guarantees.  Shark Experience follows strict industry-imposed guidelines when dealing with sharks and our staff are trained to adhere to these guidelines.  Our crew will do everything it can to provide you with a Shark Experience within these guidelines.

In the rare event that you do not get to see a shark on a scheduled tour, as a Shark Cage Diver and Sightseer, you will be offered a ‘Return Trip Voucher’ to travel with Shark Experience at no cost for another chance to have your moment with nature.   If sharks are not sighted on the redeemed voucher tour, a Return Trip voucher is not issued for that tour.

• Return Trip Vouchers cannot be transferred into another person’s name.
• Vouchers are not redeemable for cash.
• Vouchers are valid for a period of 365 days from the date of issue.
•  Extensions may be granted on medical grounds or in extenuating circumstances by contacting our office prior to the voucher expiry.

 

 Please check out our Terms and Conditions to find out more about our Cancellation, Refund and Booking Terms.