Underwater Explorers

Shark Explorers has been operating since 2008, establishing itself as a specialist in predator-focused diving. Based in Simon's Town, just 35 minutes from Cape Town city centre, the centre provides access to some of the most biodiverse coastal habitats on the planet.

The operation is split between the South African coast and the Bahamas, offering two distinct styles of diving. In South Africa, the focus is on the kelp forests and the pelagic encounters of the Atlantic, while their Bahamas operations run dedicated liveaboard expeditions to encounter hammerheads and tiger sharks.

The centre is an SSI affiliated diving operation with a team of instructors providing a wide range of training. They are also partners with Mares, ensuring a high standard of equipment and service for their divers.

Beyond standard scuba instruction, the team has a strong connection to underwater film production through their partner, Atlantic Edge Films. This expertise in underwater cinematography often informs their specialised shark ecology and marine ecology programmes.

The centre offers a comprehensive SSI training programme, ranging from Try Scuba and Open Water Diver to advanced levels such as Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor Training Courses (ITC).

Specialist training is a core part of their curriculum, with specific courses for Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Navigation. They also provide niche training in Shark Ecology, Marine Ecology, Search & Recovery, and Specialty Computer Diving.

The fleet includes the Shark Explorer 2, a 35ft GeeCat with twin 300hp Suzuki motors, which can carry up to 18 passengers. For more specialised trips, they operate the Shark Explorer, a 9m Butt Catt, as well as several RIBs of 8m and 9m lengths.

For long-range expeditions, they utilise a 46ft catamaran liveaboard. These vessels are used for their Bahamas programmes, providing a platform for multi-day trips focused on hammerhead, tiger, and oceanic whitetip shark encounters.

The shore base in Simon's Town is equipped with a drying room, equipment sinks, and a charging station for torches. Divers can also make use of the lounge and free internet access while on land.

Full kit hire is available for those not travelling with their own equipment, though the centre specifically offers Mares equipment servicing. For those looking to upgrade, they also provide equipment sales and a dedicated area for rinsing gear.

The kelp forests and coastal waters are home to a vast array of predators. You will frequently encounter various shark species including the Sevengill shark, Bronze Whaler sharks, and several species of cushion sharks. Large pelagics such as Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and Shortfin mako sharks are also present, particularly from November to June.

In the open ocean and near the reefs, you can find larger marine life such as Orca, Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and various species of whales including the Southern right whale. Dolphins, such as the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), are also a regular sight.

For those interested in smaller inhabitants, the area supports a variety of fish including Yellowfin tuna, Albacore, and Amberjack (Seriola). You may also spot various rays, including stingrays, and different species of sharks that inhabit the reef structures.

Macro life and smaller organisms include various crustaceans and invertebrates. Look for rock lobsters, octopuses, and different species of crabs and sea urchins among the kelp and reef structures.

Diving in this region is influenced by the seasonal shifts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The kelp forest sites typically offer depths between 6 and 12 metres, while pelagic dives offshore can reach depths of 8 metres in open water.