Shark Dive Details

We want your dive to be a fun and exhillarating experience but we also want it to be safe. As such, there are certain requirements which need to be fulfilled before you can take part.

Qualifications: You'll need to be a qualified SCUBA diver, certified to the level of PADI Advanced Open Water diver or equivalent or PADI Open Water (or equivalent) with experience of at least 10 open water dives. We also need divers to be aged 16 or over on the day of the dive.
If you don't yet have the right qualifications or experience, we can recommend several dive centres locally who can assist. We feel these dive centres will teach a healthy respect for the underwater environment, in line with our philosophy on marine conservation and protection. See the links page for our recommendations.

Pre-Requisites: We'll ask you to fill in a few forms, as is the case with most diving experiences. If you're between 16 and 18, your parent or guardian should also sign the forms. Your answer to questions on the brief medical form may mean a GP's approval is required. This is a standard, straightforward procedure and nothing to worry about.

Equipment: Many divers already have much of their own personal equipment. But it is straightforward to hire equipment from any dive centre. If you do not have your own, check the links page for dive centres we recommend. In order to protect the ocean tank and it's residents, fins are not used whilst in the water. You will still need boots and a full length, 5mm wetsuit is appropriate as the water can be as cool as 21 degrees. You'll also need to bring your diver certification and log-book to show evidence of your qualification and experience

What's next: The first step is to email us to let us know you're interested and when you would like to take part. We'll give you the aforementioned forms to complete. Once the forms are complete, you're ready to confirm your dive date with us.. simply a matter of calling to confirm the date and time. Currently, we run shark dives on Sundays with meet-time usually at 9am.

What happens: You'll be shown the "quarantine area", in which we can get changed and through which we have access to the ocean tank. A shallow platform allows us to assist you putting on your scuba gear once you're in the water. Without fins, it can be a little awkward, even for the most seasoned diver so we'll be there to lend a hand whilst you descend to the bottom. Once on the bottom we settle into a comfortable position and wait for the animals to come to us; watching the way the animals interact with us, our bubbles and each other. This is a slightly different kind of diving to usual... the animals dont need to be "found" so there is little need for divers to move about and we'll encourage you not to. When we do move, we do so simply by walking slowly along the bottom. There are two sections to the ocean tank, seperated by a clear tunnel through which you'll be able to wave at the public and all your friends who have come along to support you! We realise this is an exciting but possibly daunting experience so you'll be able to bring along a friend for moral support and to take photos! Your friend will have free access to the sealife centre, just as you have. It's likely you'll have over 40 minutes in the water. We again get changed in the quarantine area and thereafter, you'll have as much time as you like to wander around the centre with your friends, exploring the other exhibits

Cost: Individuals pay only £120!
If you are booking on behalf of a group, we can offer the following discounts:
A group of 2 divers pay only £100 per person,
A group of 3 divers pay only £90 per person and
A group of 4 divers pay only £80 per person.
In each case, a £60 (minimum) charity donation will be made for each diver.

Sponsorship
On behalf of each diver who pays the basic cost, we donate £60 to charity. The remainder helps us continue the maintainance of the environment in which the dives take place and helps us to continue assisting with conservation, welfare and other diving based maintenance projects around the centre.
If you'd like to get your friends and family to sponsor you for the charity-donation portion of the cost, please ask us for a sponsorship form. Of course, the remaining cost is still payable but using the sponsorship route it is possible to reduce the cost to each diver down to only £20 per person for a group of 4 divers!!
Please ask for further clarification if you are interested in being sponsored.

Your charity donations go to the TAMAR project. TAMAR is dedicated to the conservation of turtle breeding habitats in Brazil and is a major beneficiary of fund raising events at the sealife centre. In keeping with the shark theme, another portion of donations will go to The Shark Trust charity. Check the links or ask at the sealife centre for more information. The residents of the ocean tank are providing the excitement so we feel it's appropriate that they and other endangered species will benefit from your experience and your contribution.

Email us at info@brightonsharkdive.co.uk or call 07703 346131