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GREAT HAMMERHEAD EXPEDITION A truly pioneering adventure in 'shark infested waters'
Monday 18th February - Friday 1st March 2002 (12 days) Leader: Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch Group size limit: 9 divers plus leader
There is a species of massive and spectacular tropical shark that is only rarely encountered by divers: the Great Hammerhead. The Great Hammerhead is very different from, and considerably more impressive than the Scalloped Hammerhead which tropical divers regularly come across. Normally solitary, Great Hammerheads grow to a colossal 6 metres in length! The species has huge bulk and is adorned with a gigantic sickle-shaped first dorsal fin. An encounter with this rare super-predator must rank as one of the most awe-inspiring of wilderness diving experiences.
For years Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch has been keeping his nose close to the ground, trying to find a location where this mighty species might reliably be encountered. To his surprise, while at Walker's Cay for our 2001 Shark Week Specials, Jim Abernethy, a highly-respected dive operator based in Florida, came in to Walker's Cay marina on his boat Shear Water. On board were Ron and Valerie Taylor and Douglas Seifert. Within nanoseconds Jeremy was quizzing them on their adventures and was invited on board to view the video footage that they had shot in a secret and utterly remote location in Bahamian waters.
Jim had made previous trips to the place and seen massive, sickle-finned silhouettes lurking in the background. It was only when Gary Adkison of Walker's Cay had suggested that Jim add a secret ingredient to the 'chumsicle' an ingredient that Polynesian fishermen knew attracted in Tiger Sharks that the Great Hammerheads came gliding in oh-so-close! In the last season Jim's expeditions were regularly diving with Great Hammerheads. Caribbean Reef Sharks, Bull Sharks and even a Dusky Shark also attended the feeds, and even the mighty Tiger Shark was also regularly encountered. Here is an extract from an e-mail from Jim: 'On our last 6 trips to the Bahamas at our Bahamas shark feed, we have had regular visits from two sharks of enormous size. Although it is hard to believe that Tiger Sharks and Great Hammerhead Sharks reach lengths of 6 metres, my crew and guests all agree that Sledge and Schoolbus are unbelievable in size. I hope I can show them to you, underwater on your trip...'.
This is pioneering adventure diving at its best. However, we can only offer places on this expedition to fit and experienced divers who have worked in currents and are familiar with shark diving.
Shear Water sleeps 12 clients in comfort, but to increase the quality of the diving and the shark experiences, we intend to limit the trip to only 9 divers plus leader.
Itinerary
Monday 18th February: Virgin Atlantic morning flight from London (Gatwick) bound for Miami, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to Waterfront Inns Beach Retreat in Fort Lauderdale for overnight. Tuesday 19th February: After breakfast transfer to Shear Water, which will be moored at Palm Beach, for 9 nights. Later in the day Shear Water heads out to its secret location in Bahamian waters. Wednesday 20th February - Wednesday 27th February: Eight days of diving at every opportunity. Thursday 28th February: Breakfast on board, followed by transfer to Waterfront Inns Beach Retreat (day rooms available at extra cost). Free time in Fort Lauderdale. Afternoon transfer to Miami Airport. Virgin Atlantic early evening flight bound for London. Friday 1st March: Morning arrival at London (Gatwick).
£2495 London/London
Includes: · Scheduled flights London (Gatwick)/Miami/London (Gatwick) with Virgin Atlantic. · 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation at Waterfront Inns Beach Retreat, Fort Lauderdale. · Transfer Miami/Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach/Miami · 9 nights full board accommodation on Shear Water including soft drinks, fruit and snacks. · 8 days diving. · Services of Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch as leader.
Important: Accommodation on the boat is in 3 cabins with 2 bunk beds and one cabin with 6 bunk beds (with 'privacy curtains'). Single occupancy is not available. Furthermore, we are unable to guarantee separate sex accommodation, although we will do our best within the obvious constraints. Anyone having to share with a member of the opposite sex will be notified and will be offered the opportunity to accept or withdraw without penalty. Two heads with hot water showers are available. Cabins are air-conditioned.
Single Occupancy Supplement: £49 (Fort Lauderdale only). Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the tour who are single travellers and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a room-mate not being available the single occupancy supplement will apply. Room-mates will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Deposit: £900 |