FAQ

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Browse our FAQs to find information on booking, safety measures, wildlife encounters, and more.

FAQ

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Browse our FAQs to find information on booking, safety measures, wildlife encounters, and more.

Questions about our Services

Yes! From July through October, we offer almost daily shark cage diving expeditions departing from Halifax Harbour. Find the information here.

The boat departs and returns to the Cable Wharf on the Halifax Waterfront (1751 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1S5). Our boat, “Apex Explorer,” is not kept at the Wharf but is used for pick-up and drop-off.

Daily expeditions typically run from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Every day offers a unique adventure. Booking multiple days increases your chances of seeing various shark species, observing unique behaviors, and enjoying optimal weather conditions. We offer discounted packages for 3-day and 5-day tours.

These special 3-day packages include both boat-based shark cage diving and land-based lectures by Dr. Neil Hammerschlag. The schedule includes daily presentations and shark excursions from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Lectures take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Halifax hotel.

While guests are free to stay anywhere, we have partnered with Four Points by Sheraton Halifax Hotel for special discounts. The hotel is located at 1496 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3Z1. Book your stay here to receive a discount.

Our vessel is approximately 40 ft long and 13.5 ft wide, accommodating up to a maximum of 12 guests.

The shark cage is 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide, and 4 ft deep, holding a maximum of 4 people at once.

Guests rotate in and out of the cage during the expedition, with initial shorter rotations of 15-20 minutes, followed by longer intervals afterwards

No. For the safety reasons, the cage is only deployed in relatively calm waters with swells under 3 ft. Weather permitting, we will still run the expediton even if the cage is not deployed.

The cage sits at the surface with the top 1.5 ft extending out of the water.

We use a surface-supplied air system via air hoses (hookah system), so scuba certification is not required.

We monitor weather forecasts carefully and will cancel trips only if strong winds jeopardize safety. Guests will be contacted via email or text regarding cancellations and offered rescheduling options or refunds if rescheduling is not an option.

We cannot guarantee shark sightings, and no refunds are given if no sharks are seen. However, guests will receive a 20% discount for future expeditions.

Yes, the cost is the same whether or not guests cage dive.

Yes, we like to say that our cage protects the sharks from the people! Our cage is made of reinforced aluminum, and we have a dive safety officer on board to supervise the cage diving.

No, some of the best shark viewing is from the boat… so no need to get wet to experience the sharks.

No, scuba certification is not required. Divers are provided surface-supplied air via hoses.

We provide all necessary gear, including a 7mm wetsuit, gloves, hoods, and boots. We have wetsuits ranging in size from S to 3XL.

Water temperatures range from 13-22°C (55-72°F), averaging between 17-19°C (62-66°F).

Possible encounters include Great Whites, Blue Sharks, Porbeagle Sharks, and Mako Sharks. The most commonly encountered sharks are Blue Sharks.

Nature is unpredictable, and shark sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, we are likely to encounter wildlife and always collect valuable data.

Visibility ranges from 5-60 ft, averaging around 30 ft.

Yes, small handheld action cameras or smartphones with underwater cases are recommended.

Essentials include a towel, sunscreen, water, lunch, seasickness medications, layered clothing, polarized sunglasses, and a camera.

  • From Boston, MA: ~1h 19m
  • From New York, NY: ~1h 46m
  • From London, England: ~6h 45m
  • From Toronto, CA: ~2h 10m

Yes, take seasickness medicine the night before and one hour before departure. The seasickness patch is appears to be very effective for a lot of people.

We collaborate with Ambassatours Grayline for evening sportfishing trips from our boat. Book here.
For daily shark cage diving expeditions, the minimum age is 10 years old. For Edu-Enhanced expeditions, the minimum age is 16 years old. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Not specifically, but guests need to be in suitable physical health to be out on a boat at sea for 7 hours, exposed to different weather conditions. Moreover, if guests want to go shark cage diving, they need to be capable of climbing in and out of our shark cage via ladder. The size opening to enter the cage is 32 x 28 inches.
ASE biologists are authorized to conduct scientific research with Great White Sharks via a permit by the Canadian Government under the Species at Risk Act. Through this research, ecotourists have the privilege of joining researchers on boat-based expeditions to search for sharks, view sharks from the boat and/or underwater from the cage, learn from the research team, and observe scientific activities.
No, and we would like to preempt possible concerns regarding our great white shark research and ecotourism activities as it relates to human safety here. Linked to info now found here

If you are prone to seasickness or even if you aren’t, we suggest you take sea sickness medicine. The seasickness patch seems to be successful for many people (available on Amazon). Another option are the tablets, but for it to be effective, you should take it the night before the trip as well as the morning of, about 1 hour before departure. Waiting until you feel sick on the boat is too late. We also suggest avoiding coffee just prior to the trip as this seems to contribute to sea sickness (especially Tim Hortons brand – don’t know why).

Eye glasses won’t fit under the dive masks. So if you wear glasses, you will need to use contacts. Another option is purchasing prescription dive masks (we don’t offer these given people have different prescriptions). One thing to consider is that the water does magnify images, which may work for people with low prescriptions.

We provide our cage divers with regulators to breathe surface supply air through hoses. The regulators have a mouth piece that requires biting down on. If you have dentures, this can be challenging. We suggest using a strong *waterproof* adhesive designed for dentures. Look to purchase a non-zinc-based adhesive for this purpose, as zinc may react with the seawater and cause gum burn.

Due to the nature of our expeditions, which take place on a small, constantly moving vessel, this experience may not be suitable for individuals with physical limitations, including those who have limited mobility, difficulty balancing on a moving surface, or require assistive devices for movement. We recommend that you assess your comfort level with these conditions before booking and encourage guests to call us to discuss if they are uncertain 902-943-6139

The boat ride can vary depending on sea conditions. While we aim to choose the calmest possible routes, the open sea is inherently unpredictable. The boat is in constant motion and may experience swells, waves, and sudden movements. It’s important for all guests to be prepared for these conditions. Stability on board can be challenging, especially when moving around, so it’s crucial that all participants are comfortable and confident with maintaining their balance on a moving surface. If you have any concerns about seasickness or stability, please consider this before booking and take necessary precautions, such as use of seasickness medication.

Questions about our Merchandise

Merchandise is available on our online shop, at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Halifax, and on board our boat.

We accept returns or exchanges of unworn and unwashed products.

Contact us at info@atlanticsharkexp.com.

Shipping rates vary and are calculated at checkout based on location and delivery times.

Shipments are sent via the chosen provider with tracking available for courier services.

Any new products will be processed as a new order.

Proceeds support shark research and conservation.

Conservation Questions

Each expedition supports vital shark research conducted by onboard marine biologists. Our tours also aim to shift negative perceptions and enhance public understanding of sharks.

We support research by Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and the Shark Research Foundation, focusing on shark identification, abundance trends, life-history stages, reproductive status, toxin levels, body condition, and residency patterns.

By joining our expeditions, guests can actively participate in the research conducted onboard.

About a third of all sharks are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Our expeditions provide opportunities to help protect sharks through ecotourism and citizen science.

Questions about our Expeditions

No. In fact, some of the best shark viewing is above water, watching these amazing animals cruise by the boat.

No. Experiencing the sharks underwater from the safety of the cage does not require scuba diving or scuba certification. Cage divers are supplied with surface air via a hosed hookah system. 

The closest major airport is Halifax Stanfield International Airport (airport code: YHZ)

  • Flight times from Boston MA to Halifax ~1h 19m
  • Flight time from New York NY to Halifax ~1h 46m
  • Flight times from London England to Halifax ~ 6h 45m
  • Flight time from Toronto CA to Halifax ~ 2h 10 m

Yes. Cage divers will be provided with a mask, snorkel, wetsuit (7mm), gloves, hoods, and boots.

If you have your own gear, please feel free to bring.

Nature is unpredictable and the sharks are wild. As such, we cannot guarantee shark sightings. Little is known about most sharks off Nova Scotia, so the search for these mysterious predators is a part of the adventure. On every expedition we are likely to encounter wildlife of some kind and guests always learn a lot about sharks from our on-board marine biologists and local shark experts. Even if we don’t see sharks, we still collect valuable data and have a good chance of seeing wildlife.

Visibility is variable, ranging from 5-60 ft. Average is around 30 ft.

Questions about Sharks

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