Experience

For the best experience, guests should be aware of this important information

What you need to know โ€“ please forward this information to everyone in your group

Thank you for booking your adventure with Atlantic Shark Expeditions! Below is essential information to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  • Section 1 applies to all expeditions.
  • Section 2 is only for Halifax cage diving expeditions (Jun 18 – August 5).
  • Section 3 is only for Yarmouth great white expeditions (August 10 โ€“ October 15).

Section 1: General Information

All guests are required to sign a waiver prior to the expedition, which can be accessed here.ย 

Parents or guardians will need to sign on behalf of minors (under 19 years old).

Please share the link to the waiver with everyone in your group.

Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

ASE may need to cancel or postpone an expedition due to high winds that would make the ocean too rough and thus unsafe for the shark cage. The weather in Nova Scotia is highly variable and the forecast is only accurate the day before, so we may be forced to cancel or reschedule the day before for weather-related safety. So please be on the lookout for text or email messages from ASE.ย 

Having to cancel or postpone a trip relatively last minute due to rough seas or other unforeseen circumstances is out of our control and a possibility.ย 

If a cancellation occurs, here are your options:
(1) Reschedule your expedition to a future date (subject to availability).
(2) Receive a never-expiring voucher for a future expedition. This voucher can always be redeemed for a full ticketโ€”even if prices increase.

If you purchased theย Weather-Proof Ticket Upgrade, you will also be eligible for a refund of your ticket (minus the weather-proof upgrade fee) if ASE must cancel. If you initially declined this upgrade at the time of ticket purchase, you can still add it up to two weeks (14 days) before your expedition start date by calling 902-943-6139

For guests who may incur additional travel-related costs (hotels, flights, rental cars), weย  recommend exploring travel insurance, like trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Many credit cards automatically include this coverage when travel costs are paid for with that card, including airfare and accommodations. Please check with your credit card provider to confirm coverage of such travel costs in the event of an weather-related cancellation by ASE.

  • 45+ days before: Full refund, reschedule, transfer, or credit.
  • 44-31 days before: 50% refund, reschedule, transfer, or credit.
  • Less than 30 days: No refund. Rescheduling/credit is only possible if we fill your spot with another guest.

While our success rate is high, sharks are wild animals, and sightings are not guaranteed. If no sharks are encountered, guests receive 50% off a future expedition.

โœ…ย Towel
โœ…ย Sunscreen
โœ… Water & Food (Snacks like granola bars are provided, bring your own meals and drinks)
โœ… Warm & Waterproof Clothing (Dress in layers; a waterproof rain jacket, pants and closed toe footwear are recommended; it will be cold and wet on the water even if hot and dry on land)
โœ… Polarized Sunglasses
โœ… Camera
โœ… Bathing Suit (come dressed in your bathing suit under your clothes)

๐Ÿšซ No alcohol, recreational drugs, or smoking on board (vaping is okay).

๐Ÿ‘“ Eyeglasses: They wonโ€™t fit under dive masks provided. Use contacts or bring a prescription dive mask.

๐Ÿฆท Dentures: Our breathing regulators require biting down. For dentures, use a waterproof non-zinc-based adhesive.

๐Ÿคข Seasickness Prevention: We strongly recommend seasickness prevention medication – even if you have boating experience. The motion sickness patch is effective and recommended (Difficult to get in Canada; Best source for this is Amazon.com). The other option is motion sickness tablets but we recommend bonamine or bonine which is way more effective than Gravol or Dramamine and non drowsy (these too are difficult to get in Canada so suggest ordering through Amazon.com). Follow directions. Ginger candies or chews are also recommended to help prevent sea sickness.

Avoid coffee on an empty stomach the morning of (especially Tim Hortons!).

๐Ÿ’งStay hydrated with electrolytes: bring electrolyte drinks, like Pedialyte or Gatorade. Drink before and throughout the trip.ย 

Captain Maggie @ 902-789-0589

Section 2: Halifax Shark Cage Diving Expeditions (June 18 to Aug 5)

  • Sambro, Nova Scotia (about 40 min drive from downtown Halifax depending on traffic, so plan accordingly)
  • Meeting Address: 20 Basinview Rd, Sambro, NS B3V 1L4. Follow gravel lane, even when it narrows, all the way past the blue building with orange roof (on your right).ย 
  • Meeting time: 6:50am
  • Our boat, โ€œApex Explorer,โ€ is kept at the Wharf. There is plenty of free parking available.
  • Closest airport is Halifax International Airport (YHZ).

Departure time: 7am (meet up 6:50am)

Return time: ~2:00pm (early season expeditions may return closer to ~3:00pm)

We partner with Four Points by Sheraton in Halifax for exclusive discounted ASE guest rates using this link.

Exclusive Transportation discount options for ASE guests:

  • Car Rentals (Reserve Early):
    • Avis โ€“ For a discount, use this link or reserve with code S5778000
    • Budget โ€“ For a discount, use this link or reserve with code A377900
  • Driver Daveโ€™s Ride Share โ€“ Discounted transfers for ASE guests.
    • Call/Text: Driver Dan at (902-441-4428) with discount code SHARK2026

Section 3: Yarmouth Great White Expeditions (Aug 10 โ€“ Oct 15)

  • Lower West Pubnico (about 35 minutes from Yarmouth):
  • Meet in parking lot at Dennis Point Cafรฉ (214 Dennis Point Rd, Lower West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, B0W 2C0);
  • Our boat, โ€œApex Explorer,โ€ is kept nearby at Dennis Point Wharf. We will convoy over from the Cafe.
  • Meet up time: 7:50am
  • Lower West Pubnico is location is about 3 hours from Halifax International Airport.

Departure time: 8am (meet up 7:50am)

Return time: ~4:30pm

  • By Commercial Airline:ย Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) (3-hour drive to Lower West Pubnico)
  • By Private Airline or Charter: Yarmouth International Airport (CYQI). For more information, please call 902-742-6484,
  • By Ferry:ย Bar Harbor, Maine (USA) โ†’ Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (~20 min from the wharf);ย Book Ferry Here.ย (Ferry only operational until Oct 15)

Exclusive Discounts for ASE guests on transportation:

  • Car Rentals (book early)
    • Avis โ€“ For a discount, use this link or reserve with code S5778000
    • Budget โ€“ For a discount, use this link or reserve with code A377900
  • Airport Shuttle: StraightLine Shuttle to and from the Halifax airport. 25% discount using Promo Code: SHARKEXP26 [note that when booking, the drop-off site closest to the boat is Pubnico โ€“ (Petro Can, Near Exit 31)].ย 

  • Local transfers. Y Town Cab. To book, email ytowncab@gmail.com or call 902-773-3000

Exclusive Discounts for ASE guests on accommodations:

  • Red Cap Restaurant and Motel (10 mins from boat): Book using this link or call 902-762-2112 [Provide code ATLANTIC SHARKS over the phone or put in additional info of online booking]
  • Argyler Lodge & Restaurant (20 mins from boat) (Special discount rate for guests using code “SHARK” – call (902) 643-2500 to book or visit https://www.argyler.com/
  • Tru Hotel in Yarmouth (~40 mins from boat) โ€“ Use the following discount code: 3433412. Here is the booking link Please use the provided code in the “Special Rate” field under “Corporate Rate” when making reservations.

U.S. Customers Save Big When Booking in Canadian Dollars ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ โ†’ ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

This table is an example and does not reflect current pricing.

All prices on this site are in Canadian dollars (CAD). U.S. customers benefit from favourable exchange rates. Approximate savings are shown below based on recent historical USD/CAD rates between $0.69 and $0.74.

๐Ÿ“Š Cage Diving โ€“ Halifax

๐Ÿ“Š Great White Expeditions

Exchange rates fluctuate daily. USD amounts shown are estimates. Check with your bank or card provider for the current rate. No additional international fees are charged by Atlantic Shark Expeditions. Early Bird and promotional pricing available for limited time only, there is no guarantee promotional pricing will be available at the time of booking.

Stay informed about ASE news and upcoming expeditionsโ€‹