A shark is swimming in the ocean near another animal.
A man and another man looking at sharks in the water.
A group of sharks swimming in the water.

The Bahamas

You will be diving without a cage with large animals that have been baited so that we can get close up images of the sharks. Not only will you be diving with the main targets of Tiger & Great Hammerhead Sharks, but you ’ll visit sites for Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Lemon Sharks, and possibly Bull Sharks!

The 65 ft. Shear Water will be your home for the week. The boat will depart out of Lake Park, Florida for a 5-6 hour crossing to our check in destination at West End, Bahamas where Immigration and Customs officers will inspect our passports and vessel documents to officially “check†us into the country. We will visit several dive sites throughout the trip depending upon the weather and water conditions.

Bahamas Information

These unique shark trips are being run exclusively for shark enthusiasts and photographers. The emphasis will be on getting quality in-water time and photo opportunities; space is therefore limited to a maximum of ten people.

This is a fantastic opportunity you will find nowhere else, and with over 30 years experience in diving with sharks, Jim Abernethy can assure you the very best up close encounters. He has been doing these shark trips since 1999 and the shark action has never been better! We have numerous new locations, and we’re seeing a lot of the same sharks at each site, along with many new sharks every day. The Shear Water has started its very own identification catalog and look forward to sharing our encounters with you!

Our primary goal is to interact with great hammerhead sharks. These spectacular animals are among the most impressive yet rarely observed of oceanic predators. For many years, the great hammerhead has eluded underwater photographers. In 2000, following a hunch, we set off on our first dedicated shark expedition to find and photograph the King Kong of hammerheads, which can grow to a colossal 18 feet in length. The great hammerhead should not to be confused with the smaller and more common scalloped hammerhead, which can be seen schooling in many locations around the world. Encountering the great hammerhead, with its spectacular angularity, its Orca-like dorsal fin, and its bristle-toothed mouth, is at the very pinnacle of wildlife adventure.

In addition to great hammerheads, we are also in search of the tiger shark. Although the tiger shark tends to be more cautious than the great hammerhead, we regularly encounter tiger sharks from 6-18 feet in length. The giant of the tropical shark world, this awesome predator will sometimes cruise past in bulky silhouette, approaching the baits with fearless purpose, an exhilarating experience!

Our secret locations are often frequented by Caribbean reef sharks, bull sharks, lemon and nurse sharks while occasionally being visited by something more exotic such as a dusky shark or its little cousin, the silky. At the end of a good day, we have had as many as twenty sharks of as many as six different species.

Trip Schedule

These prices include:

  • A nearly unlimited amount of diving with sharks
  • Accommodations aboard the MV Shear Water as well as bed linens, pillow and towels
  • Tanks filled with air, and weights for diving
  • All customs & immigration fees, as well as Bahamian Taxes
  • All meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

These prices do not include:

  • Crew gratuities –15% of the retail charter price is recommended, and cash is preferred
  • Personal dive equipment. Rental equipment is available with advanced notice at $15 per piece per day or a $175 flat fee for multiple pieces.
  • Nitrox upgrade. This is available for a $100 fee with proof of Nitrox certification.
  • Alcoholic beverages. Guests may bring their own aboard but, in non-glass containers if possible.
  • Fuel surcharge

All prices are subject to change unless the contract is signed within the first 10 days of being issued.

Fuel Surcharge

As the expedition prices have not changed in 15 years we do charge a fuel surcharge upon check in.

7 Day Expedition – $75

8 Day Expedition – $85

10 Day Expedition – $105

How to Book

Reservations and bookings for the white shark trips can be made online by emailing us at: [email protected]. You can also phone our office at 619-299-8560 – 7 days a week- 9am-5pm Pacific Time Zone (Pacific Daylight Time during the summer)

Note:
Occasionally we are offshore out of cell phone range and may be unavailable, but there is a voice mail feature on our phone line. Please leave your message and we will return your call when we return to shore.

Payment:
We prefer a personal check , Cashier’s Check, or Money Order made out to San Diego Shark Diving and mailed to our office:

San Diego Shark Diving Expeditions, Inc.
6747 Friars Rd Ste 112
San Diego, CA 92108 USA

Payment can also be made using a credit card (Visa, Master card, American Express, or Discover Card). Many of our foreign white shark divers also like to make their payment via bank wire transfer. Please email or call us for the wire transfer details. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect against unforeseen situations.

Itinerary

An 8-day trip generally proceeds as follows:

Day 1           Check in between 10am and 4pm at our dive shop in Lake Park, Florida. Board the boat at 5pm, and enjoy dinner on board at 7pm.

Day 2          Clear customs in the Bahamas between 8 and 9am, then head out to the first dive site.

Days 3-7     Continue diving throughout the day and night, visiting various dive sites.

Day 7           After the last dive of the last day, we have dinner and head back to US waters.

Day 8          Clear US Customs between 8 and 9am, and disembark between 10am and 11am.

Guest Requirements:

Please keep in mind that these are very advanced dives and, for everyone’s safety, there are requirements that all of our divers must meet.

A minimum of Open Water certification with at least 75 dives is required. We also require diving within six months prior to the expedition. However, we recommend guests have an Advanced Open Water certification with drift and deep diving experience.

We require each diver to be completely dressed in black or dark colors with as little contrast as possible.

This includes the following:

  • Black hood
  • Black (mostly) full length wetsuit or full length dive skin
  • Black gloves
  • Black/dark blue fins
  • Black (mostly) BCD

The use of white, yellow, pink, red, silver, green, or any brightly colored gear will need approval prior to any shark expedition. Camera housings can be of color.

Hood and gloves are required.

As our divers are responsible for following their dive profiles, dive computers and back up batteries are highly recommended.

 

The Shear Water requires that every diver carry DAN, PADI or equivalent dive insurance. We highly recommend that guests carry travel (trip interruption) and camera insurance, as we do not refund money spent on air travel or accommodations. Please make sure trip insurance covers all possible circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, damage to our boat, diver cancellations, etc. More information can be found at www.insuremytrip.com.

Shear Water

A floor plan of the room with blue accents.

The Shear Water is inspected and maintained to not only meet, but exceed, the United States Coast Guard’s stringent standards.

  • Full navigational electronics on the bridge. (Radar, GPS, VHF and single side band radio)
  • 12′ Zodiac dingy with outboard motor
  • Large bow for sunning and relaxing
  • Beam: 19 ft
  • 450 gal. Freshwater Tank, 800 gallon per day water maker
  • Air conditioning throughout
  • Twelve individual beds complete with linens and fresh water shower towel
  • Three cabins with two beds in each (over/under) and six beds in the v-berth (bow common area) with privacy curtains
  • Camera table and charging stations in the salon and camera rinse bins on the back deck
  • Two bathrooms and showers with soap, shampoo, and conditioner
  • Hot water showers

Helpful tips:

  • The water temperature in the Bahamas ranges from 72 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3mm – 5mm wetsuit is recommended.
  • Bring a toiletry bag for personal items. Shampoo, conditioner, and soap are provided.
  • Pack lightly. Bring bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, and a windbreaker or heavier jacket if it’s fall or winter. The boat is air conditioned, so we also recommend a pair of warm pants and a sweatshirt.
  • Make sure to bring a dive light, back up light, batteries and a snorkel.
  • Please do not bring shoes that will leave marks on the deck. Flip-flops are not recommended.
  • We have a zero drug tolerance policy on board; please do not bring any illegal drugs. The charter will be terminated if we find anyone in possession of an illegal substance.
  • Spear guns, spears with mechanical trigger devises of any kind, and power heads are strictly prohibited in the Bahamas and on board the MV Shear Water.

Getting Here

The shop is located at 216 N Federal Hwy, Lake Park, Florida 33403. The Shear Water is docked across the street at the Lake Park Marina.

Check-in for charters is at the shop between 10am and 4pm on the date of departure. Boarding is at 5pm, and dinner is served at 7pm. We arrive back to our dock between 9 and 11am on the day of return.

Please allow for delays when making flight reservations. We recommend flights to be scheduled mid-afternoon or later on the day of return.

Palm Beach International (PBI) Airport is approximately 30 minutes away, Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) is about 1.5 hours away, and Miami (MIA) is about 2 hours away from us.

Trip Schedule & Pricing

Trip Schedule

These prices include:

  • A nearly unlimited amount of diving with sharks
  • Accommodations aboard the MV Shear Water as well as bed linens, pillow and towels
  • Tanks filled with air, and weights for diving
  • All customs & immigration fees, as well as Bahamian Taxes
  • All meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

These prices do not include:

  • Crew gratuities –15% of the retail charter price is recommended, and cash is preferred
  • Personal dive equipment. Rental equipment is available with advanced notice at $15 per piece per day or a $175 flat fee for multiple pieces.
  • Nitrox upgrade. This is available for a $100 fee with proof of Nitrox certification.
  • Alcoholic beverages. Guests may bring their own aboard but, in non-glass containers if possible.
  • Fuel surcharge

All prices are subject to change unless the contract is signed within the first 10 days of being issued.

Fuel Surcharge

As the expedition prices have not changed in 15 years we do charge a fuel surcharge upon check in.

7 Day Expedition – $75

8 Day Expedition – $85

10 Day Expedition – $105

How to Book

Reservations and bookings for the white shark trips can be made online by emailing us at: [email protected]. You can also phone our office at 619-299-8560 – 7 days a week- 9am-5pm Pacific Time Zone (Pacific Daylight Time during the summer)

Note:
Occasionally we are offshore out of cell phone range and may be unavailable, but there is a voice mail feature on our phone line. Please leave your message and we will return your call when we return to shore.

Payment:
We prefer a personal check , Cashier’s Check, or Money Order made out to San Diego Shark Diving and mailed to our office:

San Diego Shark Diving Expeditions, Inc.
6747 Friars Rd Ste 112
San Diego, CA 92108 USA

Payment can also be made using a credit card (Visa, Master card, American Express, or Discover Card). Many of our foreign white shark divers also like to make their payment via bank wire transfer. Please email or call us for the wire transfer details. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect against unforeseen situations.

Itinerary

Itinerary

An 8-day trip generally proceeds as follows:

Day 1           Check in between 10am and 4pm at our dive shop in Lake Park, Florida. Board the boat at 5pm, and enjoy dinner on board at 7pm.

Day 2          Clear customs in the Bahamas between 8 and 9am, then head out to the first dive site.

Days 3-7     Continue diving throughout the day and night, visiting various dive sites.

Day 7           After the last dive of the last day, we have dinner and head back to US waters.

Day 8          Clear US Customs between 8 and 9am, and disembark between 10am and 11am.

Guest Requirements:

Please keep in mind that these are very advanced dives and, for everyone’s safety, there are requirements that all of our divers must meet.

A minimum of Open Water certification with at least 75 dives is required. We also require diving within six months prior to the expedition. However, we recommend guests have an Advanced Open Water certification with drift and deep diving experience.

We require each diver to be completely dressed in black or dark colors with as little contrast as possible.

This includes the following:

  • Black hood
  • Black (mostly) full length wetsuit or full length dive skin
  • Black gloves
  • Black/dark blue fins
  • Black (mostly) BCD

The use of white, yellow, pink, red, silver, green, or any brightly colored gear will need approval prior to any shark expedition. Camera housings can be of color.

Hood and gloves are required.

As our divers are responsible for following their dive profiles, dive computers and back up batteries are highly recommended.

 

The Shear Water requires that every diver carry DAN, PADI or equivalent dive insurance. We highly recommend that guests carry travel (trip interruption) and camera insurance, as we do not refund money spent on air travel or accommodations. Please make sure trip insurance covers all possible circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, damage to our boat, diver cancellations, etc. More information can be found at www.insuremytrip.com.

Boat Accommodations

Shear Water

A floor plan of the room with blue accents.

The Shear Water is inspected and maintained to not only meet, but exceed, the United States Coast Guard’s stringent standards.

  • Full navigational electronics on the bridge. (Radar, GPS, VHF and single side band radio)
  • 12′ Zodiac dingy with outboard motor
  • Large bow for sunning and relaxing
  • Beam: 19 ft
  • 450 gal. Freshwater Tank, 800 gallon per day water maker
  • Air conditioning throughout
  • Twelve individual beds complete with linens and fresh water shower towel
  • Three cabins with two beds in each (over/under) and six beds in the v-berth (bow common area) with privacy curtains
  • Camera table and charging stations in the salon and camera rinse bins on the back deck
  • Two bathrooms and showers with soap, shampoo, and conditioner
  • Hot water showers

Helpful tips:

  • The water temperature in the Bahamas ranges from 72 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3mm – 5mm wetsuit is recommended.
  • Bring a toiletry bag for personal items. Shampoo, conditioner, and soap are provided.
  • Pack lightly. Bring bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, and a windbreaker or heavier jacket if it’s fall or winter. The boat is air conditioned, so we also recommend a pair of warm pants and a sweatshirt.
  • Make sure to bring a dive light, back up light, batteries and a snorkel.
  • Please do not bring shoes that will leave marks on the deck. Flip-flops are not recommended.
  • We have a zero drug tolerance policy on board; please do not bring any illegal drugs. The charter will be terminated if we find anyone in possession of an illegal substance.
  • Spear guns, spears with mechanical trigger devises of any kind, and power heads are strictly prohibited in the Bahamas and on board the MV Shear Water.

Getting Here

The shop is located at 216 N Federal Hwy, Lake Park, Florida 33403. The Shear Water is docked across the street at the Lake Park Marina.

Check-in for charters is at the shop between 10am and 4pm on the date of departure. Boarding is at 5pm, and dinner is served at 7pm. We arrive back to our dock between 9 and 11am on the day of return.

Please allow for delays when making flight reservations. We recommend flights to be scheduled mid-afternoon or later on the day of return.

Palm Beach International (PBI) Airport is approximately 30 minutes away, Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) is about 1.5 hours away, and Miami (MIA) is about 2 hours away from us.

Contact us now for more information about our trips

You can also Click to call now – 7 days a week- 9am-5pm Pacific Time Zone (Pacific Daylight Time during the summer)