It’s been on the bucket list for about ten years I think after I heard you could snorkel with blue sharks in British waters! I’ve been lucky enough to dive with many species of sharks over the years but because the blues are so inquisitive and unafraid of people I knew it would be quite an experience if they turned up!
The main reason why it’s taken so long to get on a trip was that it was so hard trying to find a willing companion to do it with, because for some reason when you start mentioning sharks it seems to put people off???
To my delight, I saw an advert on Facebook from blue shark snorkel trips out of Penzance offering some dates in September so I put it out there again to some people I knew and finally convinced my long-standing dive buddy to take the plunge!
Because it’s weather dependent we had to wait until 48 hours before to see if the trip was going ahead and luckily for us, the weather gods were on our side !!
We quickly booked up a camping pitch at the Higher Pentreath Campsite at Praa Sands which was very reasonable at £18 for up to four campers in a tent.
Up early Sunday after too many beers the night before and later, regretting the McDonald’s breakfast, we made our way around to the marina at Penzance for ropes off at 10.00am and to meet our host Victoria.
Victoria was fantastic and made us feel very welcome
We were told to come already kitted up in wetsuits and bring along lunch and all the necessary things needed for the day!
The plan was to steam out for 15-20miles, get the frozen fish over the side to let the sent trail work it’s magic and then wait!
The excitement was building and when the shout “Sharks!” from the back of the boat was heard, everyone quickly got their snorkel gear and cameras ready and made their way to the back of the boat. We all slid in like excited little kids and for the next two hours, were treated to one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. Not once did we feel in any danger just a mutual fascination on both sides of what the heck we were both thinking!
Victoria estimated about 10 sharks ranging from 4 feet to 7 feet, all females and an incredible blue iridescent skin that shone in the sun!
On the way back in we were treated to dolphins and schools of bluefin tuna to finish off a pretty dam good day!!
One definitely to remember!
