Today was scheduled to be not only the highlight of the trip, but probably the highlight of the year. Today was the day that we would go out with the Bluff Shark Experience to see and cage-dive with Great White Sharks. We awoke early, arrived at the office at 06:45, took the boat across to the area where we were spending the day, did the training with the equipment and then spent around six hours waiting. Maddeningly a shark was seen by the experienced divers while we were doing our training, but sadly it moved off pretty quick and it was not seen again, resulting in a sharkless day for us. To really rub salt in the wounds, I was seasick for the first time ever, hurling vomit over the side of the boat as soon as I put on the wetsuit. Not ideal conditions at all.
It was not a complete loss however, as the weather was glorious and there were some birds to be seen. The boat across had plenty of Common Diving Petrels and Little Penguins, as well as my first Pterodroma of the trip and a lifer for me in the form of Cooks Petrel, of which three flew past. While waiting for the shark we had a nice close Shy Albatross entertain us, offering incredible views as it tried to dabble for the chum. And from the shark cage, it was possible to see all varieties of different fish.
Fortunately the company offers a 365-day return voucher for those who don’t see sharks, and as such I rebooked to try again on Monday, hopefully with a little more success this time around.
Bluff Shark Experience: Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Black-fronted Tern, White-fronted Tern, Little Penguin, Shy Albatross, Cook's Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Common Diving Petrel, Spotted Shag, Foveaux Shag,
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