Meet the Oceanic White Tip Sharks of Cat Island
The elusive Oceanic White Tip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) tops many divers’ bucket lists. Whether it be their telltale long white capped fins, their gracefulness as they move through the water, or the centuries of sailor lore surrounding these feared pelagic predators. Adding to their appeal, there are only a couple of places in the world that offer high chances to see this beautiful yet critically endangered shark. In most of these places, you’re considered lucky to spot 1 on a dive; seeing 2 or 3 is like winning the lottery. But what if we told you we have found a place where you can see upwards of 6 or even 10 at once, curiously circling around you in crystal blue warm waters? Welcome to Cat Island…
Get ready to join us in April 2024, for an exclusive trip for only 5 lucky divers to experience the Oceanic White Tip Sharks of Cat Island. This trip will sell out fast, so sign up now. Scroll down for more details on the trip and book today! Feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any questions or to reserve your place today.
The Expedition
Encounters with the Oceanic White Tip Shark are truly spectacular, and Cat Island is the best place to find them. These sharks call the wide open ocean their home and must remain on the move since they can’t pump water over their gills. As such, our dives will be ‘blue water dives,’ which means we’ll be drifting over the open ocean with only a buoy as a reference. This is an experience unlike anything else because of the insane clarity of the water and the high probability of seeing Oceanic White Tip Sharks.
Our expedition starts at the Greenwood Resort where Jay Clue, award-winning underwater photographer, conservationist & leader of Dive Ninjas, will show you the best of this remote paradise. The first day will be relaxed as people arrive and check-in. In the evening, Jay Clue will explain everything to expect for the expedition. Each day will be filled with good food, diving in crystal clear water, and gorgeous pink sand beaches. The Bahamas is full of other incredible creatures, so you never know what else we’ll encounter during our explorations!
| Cat Island Expeditions | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| April 18-25, 2024 | White Tip Shark Expedition | BOOK NOW |
Accommodation & Operations
Located on the eastern edge of the Bahamas, Cat Island makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time to before the Bahamas became a tourist destination. Unlike its bigger brothers, the island is very quiet, with only a few developments on the entire island. For this trip we will be staying with our friends at Greenwood Resort. This family-run hotel is located on miles of untouched pink sand beaches with coral reefs at its doorstep. The patio at the hotel restaurant is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise from the Atlantic while having a morning coffee. Between dives, you can snorkel the local reefs, cool off in the pool, or lounge on the beach or in the tropical gardens found all around the hotel grounds.
All hotel rooms have air conditioning, hot water, private ensuite bathrooms, and private patios. Single supplements are available to upgrade to a private room for the length of the trip.
What’s The Cost?
This 8 day, intimate expedition costs $4100 per person. Hotel accommodation is on a shared double occupancy basis (Option to upgrade to private room for an extra cost) with a maximum of 5 guests on the trip. All prices are per person and based on a shared double occupancy basis. No need to worry if you are traveling solo! We will match you with another solo ninja guest of the same gender.
What’s Included
The trip price includes in-water activities, 7 nights of hotel accommodation, 3 meals per day (hot breakfast, lunch, & dinner) & other activities, airport transfers to/from New Bight Cat Island airport to/from hotel, transfers to/from dive boat, weights, air fills and tanks.
What’s Not Included
Flights, drinks (hotel has a full bar), rental gear, and crew tips/gratuities (10%-15% of trip price is customary but is at your discretion).
Anything Else?
For your safety this trip requires that you have good buoyancy while scuba diving, and you must be comfortable diving in open ocean. The Oceanic White Tip Shark dives take place about a half mile offshore on a deep channel. We will slowly drift dive in the blue following a big buoy while hovering at around 6-9m (20-30ft) underwater. The ocean bottom here is well over 1000m (3000ft) deep. So even though Cat Island has some of the clearest blue you’ll ever see, the one thing you will not be able to see is the bottom.
Flights & Pre-Trip Activities Information
The easiest way into Cat Island is via Nassau. Many airlines offer flights into Nassau from all over the world, making it the perfect gateway to Cat Island. From Nassau, Western Air offers flights on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When you arrive at the airport, our team will be there to greet you. For those on the Above & Below workshop, Jay & Stan will be on the Western Air flight on the 16th.
Please keep in mind this is a tiny airport with no facilities. Cat Island is like the Bahamas from years ago, which is one of the things that makes it incredibly beautiful. The local community is super friendly, and the island is mostly untouched. But this also means it is quite remote, and can be hard to find specialty dietary or medical items. If there are things you require, we highly recommend bringing them with you.
Expedition Quick Facts:
Location: Cat Island, Bahamas
Dates: April 18-25, 2024
Duration: 8 Days, 7 nights
Activity Days: 6 days
Nearest Airport: Fly to Nassau with Western Air
Trip Cost: $4100.00 USD
Min Deposit to Reserve: 30%