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Shark Cage Adventure in North Shore

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Island:
OAHU
Discounts Available:
Online Booking Discount
Type:
Operating During Covid-19
Online Booking Discount
North Shore/ Haleiwa Town
Sharks
Discounts Available
Highlights:
  • ONLINE DISCOUNT- Total price lower than booking directly through shark company's website!
  • Shark cage diving, Swim with the sharks! Professional snorkel gear, secure shark cage.
  • Galapagos shark, gray reef shark, sandbar shark, & hammerhead shark sightings possible!
Description:

Shark Cage Hawaii

If you are wondering what to do in Oahu, then get ready for Hawaii shark encounters! This North shore Oahu shark adventure starts with a 15 minute, 3 mile boat ride off the north shore coast & takes you where the water is deep, blue, & you will encounter sharks and maybe even some Hawaiian sea turtles!

We are the original shark cage tour since 2001 and with your help, we've become the best company for Hawaiian shark encounters. We enjoy helping to change people’s perception on sharks since popular media portray them as vicious, man-eating machines. We aim to change that.
 
Our tour allows the average person to see sharks in their natural habitat three miles offshore in about 400-600 feet of water from the safety of a large, custom-made, metal shark cage. Guests will come face-to-face with sharks as they swim around and under the cage and realize that sharks are more curious and not as dangerous as we think they are. We take pride in seeing a person’s fear evolve into admiration and respect for sharks. Keep in mind, this isn't shark cage diving, you will be submerge and have snorkel gear for ultimate viewing comfort!

We are the only company that offers a Boat Rider option for passengers who do not want to go into the cage. This option allows passengers to stay on the boat throughout the tour and watch as the sharks swarm around the boat while our expert crew share their knowledge about sharks and other marine life our guests may see. The cage itself is never fully submerged. The top two feet of it protrudes out of the water, yet, the cage goes down another 8 feet. Dimensions are 10’ x 8’ x 8’. Six plexi-glass panels (measuring 2’ x 2’) are integrated into three sides of the cage to allow a clear and unobstructed view. A step ladder is built inside the cage to allow easy entry from the boat. 

The species of sharks we normally see are the Galapagos and Sandbar sharks. They can measure up to 12 feet in length and are not known to attack humans. Tiger or Hammerhead shark sightings are rare but you can never tell when they may show up. Hawaii’s warm waters do not provide an ideal habitat for great whites but they have been seen sparingly in Hawaii and you can never know when or if they may come around. We usually always see barracuda, ahi, and schools of other fish and during Nov-Apirl, we’ll often see and hear Humpback whales.

This extreme shark adventure is an awesome way to get close to these ferocious creatures, either from the boat (surface viewing) or within the safety of a metal shark cage with large plexiglas observation windows (cage viewing). After a safety & educational briefing from the professional crew, you will be fitted with professional grade snorkel gear so that you can be ready to step into the shark cage! Once you are in there, you will experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to see sharks swim within inches of you!

The shark cage is not completely submerged, so make sure to come out of the water & check out all the shark’s dorsal fins as they swim around you! For those of you not ready to take the plunge, come & take the boat tour and watch the sharks swim around from the safety & comfort of the boat deck. In the winter season (Dec.-April), if you are lucky you will see whales on your trip back to shore! 

THE TOUR

Your day begins by checking in at the Shark Shack 30 minutes before your tour start time and soon you're boarding our vessels Abunai, Kaiou, or Anela. As the boat disembarks and you say your final farewell to all land dwellers, your adrenaline starts pumping and your heart starts racing as you anticipate an exciting encounter with sharks. In a short 15 minutes, we're at the shark cage 3 miles off-coast. During the ride out we will share our safety briefing and other pertinent information. We may see dolphins, turtle, flying-fish, Humpback whales (seasonal) or whatever may fly by.

CAGE DIVER

The cage divers are broken into 2-3 groups and will spend their next 20 terrifying minutes staring face-to-face with razor sharp teeth. Depending on passenger count, size, and ability, we may place up to 8 people in the cage comfortably. We have handle-bars inside the cage on all sides and plexi-glass windows for clear and unobstructed views. A step-ladder to allow easy access.

BOAT RIDER

This option allows you to watch the sharks swim under your feet while you stay on the boat and is equally impressive. Learn about these majestic fish as our expert crew answers all our questions about sharks. You can take some great pictures and video from here. The coastline's pretty too, especially on the first tour of each day.

OUR BOATS AND CAGES

Abunai – Our largest custom designed 47-foot aluminum boat. Seats 28 maximum but we set it at 24 for passenger comfort. Padded seats and backrests for passenger comfort. Only 2 years old.

Kaiou – Our second largest custom designed 35 foot aluminum boat. Seats 19 maximum. Padded seats and backrests for passenger comfort. Only 2 years old.

Anela – A 32 foot Anderson boat and the heart of our company. One of our original boats seating 15 maximum but set it at 12 for passenger comfort. This is a true fishing boat and has one of our original cages assigned to it. We may operate this boat only as needed.

Cages – We have 2 custom designed welded metal cages. We normally use our largest cage which measures 10’ x 8’ x 8’. If we run our third boat, the Anela, we'll assign to her one of our original cages which is slightly smaller and can accommodate up to 6 passengers. 
  • Dimensions: Large cage (Abunai & Kaiou) 10' x 8' x 8’. No dimensions on smaller cage at this time.
  • Our largest cage can place up to 8 people while our smaller cage can accommodate up to 6 passengers comfortably. The count is determined by the captain based on body size and passenger count.
  • Custom made handlebars are welded inside the cage for clients to hold onto for safety.
  • Three sides of the cage have built-in plexi-glass windows for a clear and unobstructed view. About an inch thick.

WHAT YOU MIGHT LIKE ABOUT THIS TOUR:
  • This is the best price we found with the best company up there. Usually its $120 plus tax
  • In the winter if you're lucky you will also see whales! (Dec.-April)
  • This company has the largest cage up there, and viewing sections with plexiglass, which enable you to take pictures that look like you're in there with the sharks!
  • You can stick your head out of the water and I guarantee when you see the shark fins swimming around you will think of JAWS!

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ABOUT THIS TOUR
  • Some people get seasick. We recommend taking the earliest tour possible & volunteering to go with the first group in the cage. These are the best ways to avoid the tour getting cancelled. Also, take a motion sickness pill before the tour. If it gets cancelled, of course you will get your money back. If you have any doubts feel free to contact us.
  • If the weather is bad they will cancel because the water gets choppy (You will get a full refund). This tends to happen on the later tours in the Winter. We highly recommend taking the earliest tour possible, this is usually not any issue for most people because they came from a different timezone so they wake up early anyways. Also, try doing this tour in the beginning of your trip so you can reschedule.
  • The video is expensive. I got the video, it was ok, but it had no sound. I recommend taking a waterproof camera, its much cheaper and you can get better pictures/video.

HELPFUL ADVICE:
  • Take sea-sick pills and follow directions on box. We do not provide. 
  • Wet suits are welcomed, we do not provide or available. 
  • Call us the day before your tour to reconfirm. 
  • OK to bring snacks, foods, non-alcoholic drinks. We do not provide. NO BANANA'S OR ALCOHOL, please. 

Please bring the following: 
  • Towel. We do not provide.
  • Wear your swimwear underneath your street clothes if possible. 
  • Backpack recommended to store your items. 
  • Eco-friendly suntan lotion. 
  • We encourage underwater camera's or video equipment as long as it does not interfere with other clients. 

SHARK CAGE INFO 
  • Dimensions: 10' x 8' x 8' 
  • We place up to 8 people inside the cage per drop (max 10). 
  • There are handlebars INSIDE the cage where the clients hold onto for safety. 
  • Three sides of the cage have built-in plexiglass windows for a clear and unobstructed view. About an inch thick. 

WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE? 
  • Underwater video service @ $70 + tax for a 15 minute video. Clients will receive an SD card with their footage and a BONUS CD with pictures from previous tours. Your clients will be able to make copies and print pics from their 15 minute video without any copyright issues. Please see our boat staff or let us know when you make a reservation. We will make a note of their request. 
  • Souvenirs, t-shirts, tank-tops, disposable underwater camera's, and hats. 

WHAT DO WE PROVIDE? 
  • Mask. Rx (prescription) masks limited, please note upon booking. 
  • Snorkel. 
  • Drinking water. 
  • Life vests (for emergency use only) 
  • Educational information. 
  • Assistance in and out of the cage and boat. 
  • Limited dry storage for personal items. No lockers. 
WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
  • Underwater video service @ $70 + tax for a 15 minute video. Clients will receive an SD card with their footage and a BONUS CD with pictures from previous tours. Your clients will be able to make copies and print pics from their 15 minute video without any copyright issues. Please see our boat staff or let us know when you make a reservation. We will make a note of their request.
  • Souvenirs, t-shirts, tank-tops, disposable underwater camera's, and hats.
FEMALE CLIENTS - Pregnancy / Menstrual 
  • Pregnancy: Up to 7 months. 
  • Menstrual: Normally not a problem. Cool water keeps things in.

HISTORY
For many years, local crab fishermen in Haleiwa favored a certain spot off the coast to clean their catch, each time marveled at the sharks which they've attracted. In 2001, at the suggestion of friends, Joe Pavsek created North Shore Shark Adventures with the intent to educate people about these sharks and offer a rare and unique perspective into Hawaii's ocean depths. During the annual migration of Humpback whales to Hawaii from Alaska, our clients get an extra treat by hearing whales sing and sometimes see them swim by, all from inside the cage. 

Sightings of barracuda, spinner dolphins, Hawaii green sea turtles, birds, and other sea-life add extra value With a life-long passion of the sea, Joe's had a boat in Haleiwa harbor, surfed, and dove on the north shore for over 35 years. Being a former private investigator and having worked in the aircraft salvage recovery business, avid artist and entrepreneur, Joe has been featured on "Lets Go Fishing", Japan television, The Travel Channel, BBC Outdoors, ESPN Outdoors, Canadian Wildlife Television, Wheel of Fortune, and many other famous TV programs worldwide. His artwork is also on display in galleries across Honolulu and Tahoe. 

Today, we utilize up to 3 boats each day to accommodate our tours. Our practice is to sell out our early tours first to take advantage of the calmer part of the day. We operate at the mercy of nature which may, at times, force us to cancel our tours to avoid possible injury to passengers and staff. To minimize clients from being inconvenienced, we try as much as possible to alert 
passengers as soon as the decision is made to cancel.

WEATHER
Because weather is unpredictable we seek reliable forecasts from reputable sources such as NOAA. Although they’re usually predicted a week ahead, we find that forecasts 3 days prior to an activity date seem to be more reliable. The weather is ever-changing so we don’t mean to be rude when we say we are unable to recommend a good day but the best advice we can give is the earliest tour your client can commit to since the weather conditions are most favorable in the earlier part of the day. In fact, when the weather forecast calls for zero winds over the next 2-3 days, those days are the best days to book. 

Sea-sickness prevention is recommended, we do not have it available on board.

WIND
Our #1 cause for cancellation. Typically, winds start light and pickup throughout the day. Most times the change is light enough which allows us to run tours as late as 4 pm with shark sightings on every tour. We find that when the 3 day forecast calls for zero winds, those days are the best to schedule tours. Otherwise, the earlier tours are usually the best.

RAIN
Tours operate rain or shine. Our vessels are equipped with vinyl flaps on its sides which we adjust into place to create a rain shield. There are areas in the boat where clients can leave their belongings to stay dry.

WATER TEMPERATURE
Hawaii’s average is 78 degrees (26 celsius) year round. Wet-suits are welcomed but not required. We do not provide wetsuits for rent or sell. As with any other body of water, you might feel cold when you first submerge yourself into the water and as you.

SURF
While exiting Haleiwa harbor guests watch up-close locals surfing at Alii beach, one of the best surf spots in the world. Haleiwa’s waterways and channels allow for safe boating which allows us to operate tours all day up to 4 pm even when surf predictions are 25-30 feet. We hardly cancel due to high surf.

BOX JELLYFISH
Each month after a full moon phase, Oahu’s shores are inundated with box jellyfish. Rarely are our tours affected. 

VISIBILITY
Being approximately 3 miles out to sea visibility is hardly a problem. In fact, visibility is usually clear up to 150 feet +. We often see whales pass by during whale season.

DIRECTIONS
By car from Waikiki / McCully Bridge @ Ala Wai Canal
  • Head Mauka (toward mountain) over bridge, stay in left lane.
  • Drive over H1 freeway overpass and take first left onto Dole St.
  • Take first left onto Alexander St.
  • Take right onto H1 West on-ramp.
  • Continue on H1 West (or H201 Moanalua Freeway). They eventually merge again as H1 West.
  • Take H2 North cutoff (Exit #8A sign).
  • Take Wahiawa town cutoff (Exit #8 sign). You are on Kamehameha Hwy #80. Drive about 1⁄2 a mile straight through Wahiawa town, no turns. Upon exiting Wahiawa town, you’ll see a 7-11 store on your right heading downhill, then over a bridge. You are heading in the right direction.
  • After the bridge you’ll pass through a traffic light and eventually arrive at a fork in the road, stay right. At this point, Hwy #80 turns into Hwy #99, its still Kamehameha Hwy.
  • In about 20 seconds, you’ll see Dole Plantation on your right. You’re heading in the right direction.
  • After about 7 miles, you’ll see a “Historic Haleiwa Town” sign on your right. Take the left at the next traffic signal. (If you miss it, take a left at the next traffic signal near the 2nd “Haleiwa” sign, drive over the double arch bridge, and turn right at the 76).
  • Shortly, you’ll come upon Weed Junction circle. Take the first right into Haleiwa town. If you miss it, it’s a circle, go back around and try again.
  • Proceed about 1.5 miles and turn left at the 76 gas station.
  • Almost immediately after making the turn, you’ll see a sign on your right “Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor”. Take that right in front of the sign. The brown building on your left is the restroom. Proceed downward toward the ocean and turn left onto the pier.
  • Look ahead of you to the right. You’ll see our small, white Shark Shack. Please check in and inquire about free parking, ADA stalls, and restrooms.
By city bus from Ala Moana Center: (2-3 hours each way)
See www.thebus.org for route information. #52 is your best option. Please remember busses do not run as frequent on weekends and holidays. From Waikiki, head to any bus stop and ask the next bus driver how to get to Haleiwa boat harbor. They are very helpful and friendly.


By Taxi
About $250.00 round trip up to 6. If we need to cancel or change tours, we do not issue refunds for taxi fares or any other third party transportation costs.

By H Tours Hawaii
We offer a transportation option at $55 + tax per seat for any person staying at a Waikiki hotel, Kahala Hotel, or Cruise ship passengers. Special arrangements can be made for certain circumstances, call us for advice.

OUR LOCATION
All tours check in at the Shark Shack, a white, two person shack sitting at the water’s edge in Haleiwa harbor. Clients can get parking and bathroom information here. We also have available to purchase t-shirts, caps, towels, bottled water, suntan lotion, underwater film cameras, and other items.

How to find us by GPS = Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor
This is the best option to use to find us. It will lead you directly to the harbor.

How to find us using our physical address:

This address tends to lead people to Haleiwa Elementary School on Haleiwa road. As long as the school is on their left, they’ll find the harbor at the end of the road, on the left.

Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor
66-105 Haleiwa Road
Haleiwa, HI 96712
PARKING
FREE – Inquire at the Shark Shack or park in the middle of the harbor near the 2 story building.
RESTROOM / CHANGE ROOM
Public restroom across the Shark Shack up the hill, brown building. Men / Women, no showers.
PUBLIC SHOWERS / RESTROOM
Located nearby at Alii Beach Park. Showers are NOT private.
DRIVE TIME
Please note that these times are approximate.
  • Waikiki = 1.5 hours
  • Ko`Olina Resort = 1 hour
  • Turtle Bay Resort = 15 minutes
  • Makaha Resort = 1.5 hours
  • Kaneohe / Kailua = 1 hour
  • Wahiawa = 15 minutes
SHARK TOUR TIMES
To take advantage of the calm morning weather conditions each day, we set our daily default tour times at 6 am (June-Aug), 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am. We will open later tours as needed. Call for availability. Check-in time is 30 minutes prior.
  • 6 am (June - Aug)
  • 6:30 am (June - Aug)
  • 7 am
  • 8 am
  • 8:30 am (June - Aug) or 9 am
  • 10 am
  • 10:30 am (June - Aug)
  • 11 am
  • 12 pm
  • 12:30 pm (June - Aug)
  • 1 pm
  • 2 pm
  • 2:30 pm (June - Aug)
  • 3 pm
  • 4 pm
SHARK TOUR PICKUP TIMES
Below are our default pickup times when transportation is purchased. Special pickup times 
may be arranged depending on the situation, please call for information. 
Total time from pickup to return is approx. 4 hrs.

PICKUP                     TOUR           RETURN TO WAIKIKI
5:30 am                 7:00 am      9:30 am
7:15 am                 9:00 am      11:30 am
7:30 am (weekend)  9:00 am      11:45 am
9:45 am                11:00 am       1:30 pm
11:30 am                1:00 pm       3:30 pm (as needed)

PICK UP LOCATIONS
Below are our default pickup locations. Other locations may be arranged depending on the situation. Please enter the hotel you are staying at when you make a request and we will let you know the nearest pick up location.

  • Aloha Tower / Maritime Center @ pier 7
  • Ala Moana Hotel / Mahukona street side entrance
  • Hawaii Prince Hotel / Front entrance ocean side
  • Ilikai Hotel / Ala Moana Blvd @ 3 flagpoles
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village / The Great Lawn (HHV guests only)
  • Hale Koa / Lobby in driveway (Hale Koa guests only)
  • Trump Towers / Lobby in driveway (Trump guests only)
  • Halekulani / Front in driveway (Halekulani guests only)
  • Maile Sky Court / Namahana street side of building
  • Ohana Malia Hotel / Front entrance on Kuhio Ave.
  • Sheraton Waikiki / Don Ho Lane pickup area
  • Hyatt Regency Waikiki / Koa Avenue @ green awning
  • Ohana West / Walina Street side of building
  • Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel / Tour bus loading zone
  • New Otani Hotel / Curbside on Kalakaua Avenue
  • The Kahala Hotel / Front entrance in driveway
TRANSPORTATION NOTES
We have a 9 seat and a 14 seat vehicle. Both have sharks painted all over it. We ask clients to be 5 minutes early for their designated pickup times and allow up to 20 minutes for our driver to arrive. Pickup locations will be either at their hotel or within walking distance. Our vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs but 2 of or our largest boats can. Please message to inquire.

INFANTS

Lap child age 2 and under are free as long as they sit on a parent's lap. Child seats are not required or available. If the child seat takes up a seat on the vehicle, we need to charge.

GUARANTY POLICY
  • If we cancel for any reason or if we don’t see sharks, we will authorize a full refund. 
  • Any guaranty applies to our "shark van" transportation and any tour we offer. It does NOT apply to car rentals, third party transportation, taxi fares, airline tickets, other transportation arranged outside of NSSA, or any fees or penalties incurred by client.
CHILDREN AND INFANTS
  • For comfort we do not recommend tours later than 9 am for toddlers and/or infants.
  • No age minimum.
  • Youngest age allowed to participate without parental supervision: 14 years old.
 
Special Feature:
BEST ONLINE RATE
Schedule
Days
Comment
DailyVarious check in time throughout the day, click the "book it" button to see live availability calendar & check in directions. See map below for approximate location.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to find out is to make a request. Availability here changes constantly. We can tell you something is available and then 5 minutes later someone else books and its not available anymore. If you make a request and your activity is not available, then you will not be charged. No hassles, no worries!
H Tours Hawaii is a "one stop shop" for all the best activities in the Hawaiian Islands. Since we work with many providers, reservations are necessary. WE HIGHLY recommend making reservations, as many activities are at a discount when you reserve in advance. Some providers even charge higher for those "walking in" because they know chances are you're not going to walk away. Finally, a reservation ensures you have a space on the tour. Trust us you don't want to spend aso much time and money to come to Hawaii and then miss out on an activity because they were booked out!
Choose the tour you are interested in, click the red “Request Activity” button adjacent to the tour information, and complete the booking form. You can also call us toll free at 1 (808) 291-7954. We are available to discuss your schedule and options during our normal business hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Hawaii Standard Time.
While we can usually accommodate most last-minute bookings, we highly encourage those that are checking out our website far in advance to book 2-3 weeks prior to desired date. You never know if there's a convention, special event, or an increase in overall visitors in town, and it would be a shame if the activities that you want to do are sold out because you waited until the last minute. Basically, if you know you want to do it, just book it!
Most companies have a set of centrally located hotels that they do pick ups from. This makes the pickup process short so you can start the tour as soon as possible!
Yes, up to 7 months pregnant.
Mostly Galapagos, Sandbar, and Lemon sharks which can reach up to 13+ feet (4 meters). Occasionally Hammerhead, Tiger, and other sharks.
Humpback Whales (seasonal), barracuda, manta-rays, spinner dolphins, turtles, yellow fin tuna, ulua, to name a few.
Not completely. The top of the shark cage stands about 2 feet out from the water.
Yes, we encourage clients to bring their equipment as long as it doesn't interfere with others in the shark cage.
Not required. You're welcome to bring your own, we don’t rent.
Yes. Check in at the Shark Shack and we'll direct you to the parking.
Yes, most of our staff are parents themselves.
We recommend it and follow the directions on the box.
No. Please use the restroom before boarding. See our Shark Shack for directions to the restroom.
It depends on you. Some people are able to, some are not.
Depending on the situation and availability. Reschedule fee applies.
Yes, our staff is available to assist you.
Yes. Transit time from Waikiki is 2-3 hours each way. From the Ala Moana Shopping Center, catch bus #52.
No. There are handle bars inside of the shark cage on all four sides that they can safely hold-on to.
No. It's about a 3 mile ride out to sea.
It depends on the weather, but we try to go out as many times as possible!
Decided by the captain based on pax size and count. Although it varies, usually between 6-8.
Usually no. Sometimes the pax count is low enough for our captains to consider a second drop.
Unfortunately there is only shark cage tours in the North Shore, which is about 1 hour drive from Honolulu.
No, it is included in the price of $106. The boat ride option is for those that don't want to get in the cage.
Similar Things to Do
$
115
50
/ Adult
Overall:
$
150
/ Person
Overall:
Payment & Cancellation
Cancellation Policy: Standard Policy
  • Cancellations made 2 days before Date & Time will be fully refunded.
  • Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
Terms & Conditions
  • Rescheduling fees apply if you arrive late and miss the tour.
  • Tour may be cancelled due to inclement weather or other factors, in which case a full refund will be issued.
  • If you do not see sharks you will receive a full refund.
  • See booking page for exact terms, conditions, & cancellation policy details
Reviews
45 reviews, 2 comments
Overall:
Was the tour accurately described on the webiste? In other words did it meet your expectations?
(4.9 of 5)
Awesome EXPERIENCE!
Overall:
WOW! This morning tried this company. Highest recommendation! I'm local and had family visiting from mainland and had heard around the island that the 'EXPERIENCE' from Shark Encounters on North Shore Oahu was da best of the companies operating. I now know they meant the 'Experience' that Kaleo and crew have (they are pros), and an amazing 'experience' for all of us - as I decided to try it myself ... morefor the first time. We met Kaleo and his crew at Haleiwa Harbor and let me tell you - these guys make you feel so COMFORTABLE and answer all your questions - so you are pumped to do it! Not only do you go in the water with the Galapagos sharks but the crew teaches you all about the different Hawaiian sharks and about sharks in general, while you wait for your turn in the cage. I LEARNED so much and so did my kids! The crew adds some nice touches to make you feel great the whole trip (Nat Geo style shark filming with GoPro, shower, mint gum after your swim). They supply everything except your suit and towel and camera. Go early!!!! Less waves - more sharks - BEST CONDITIONS - get the very first boat of the day! My family from Chicago could not stop raving about it! Thank you Kaleo - you and your crew were the best! We will be back with more visitors and to to do it again ourselves too! Highest recommendation! - Jim Guzior
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Overall:
My wife was extremely nervous about getting into the cage, it took a lot of convincing to even book her for this. The staff was awesome and friendly, they were good at making her laugh a little, which for her is the trick to stop her from worrying too much. The crew was funny, personable, and I would TOTALLY go do it again. Well worth the money, they offer a video package as well. I will post pictures ... moreonce I have grabbed them from the GoPro video. Oh yeah, my wife is like 6 months pregnant, and they were great about that.

100% recommend them.
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shark tank...for real!!
Overall:
Awesome experience, easy to find and the crew very informative friendly and chill. Made us feel very relaxed and excited for our dive.
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1
Very nice and enjoyed the tour!
Overall:
Will recommend it to my friends! Crew was very friendly and professional - they did an outstanding job!
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Totally Awesome
Overall:
What a great time we had!! The crew was amazing and being up close to that many sharks was unbelievable...Mahalo for such a great time!!
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Angel P.
Nancy H   May 16, 2015
Glad to hear you had an awesome time with the sharks!
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Wow
Overall:
An amazing experience. We had a great time and are so glad we decided to check it out.
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Angel P.
Joel H   December 3, 2014
Right!?!?!? Trust me, seeing them from a cage is awesome, but when I see them while I'm surfing.... well that's another story! Glad you enjoyed it!
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Super Fun
Overall:
This was awesome! To address the not so favorable review topics: I never felt pressured to buy the video, I didn't see any more favorable treatment for the people who got the video, it was offered and never mentioned again. That being said we had a great time! The Crew was funny which is exactly what you need before doing something for the first time. The cage is smaller than I imagined but doesn't ... morefeel small at all when your in it. We had great weather so no problem with boat ride. Good times all around, if you are a Shark Week junky-this is for you! 

Oh and snaps to the scheduler! We totally bungled the day/time. They called us to check on us and then let us reschedule. There was a fee but we were totally happy to still have a chance to go.
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1
Overall:
I WANT TO COME BACK & DO THIS ALL OVER, AGAIN!!! My boyfriend & I came here on 10/9 and booked the earliest tour available at 7a.m. Check in was at 6:30am but we got there at 6am and were able to watch the sun rise before others started showing up.  A little before 6:30am we were greeted by one of the crew members - - i thiiink his name was Matt (awesome guy). He told us where to park our cars & instructed ... moreus to come back to the boat to check in. 

Once everyone was ready, we headed about 3 miles out into the ocean. The boat ride was nice & beautiful..not too rocky & very scenic. There were about 14 'divers' total, so they split us up in two groups. 

I was part of the first group to go in & the last one to actually get in the cage. I'll admit I was scared & nervous at first - but as soon as I got into the water and stuck my head in, I was able to see just how beautiful and graceful these creatures really are. We spent about 20 minutes in the cage - - i wish we were alloted more time- -and I was surprised by how much I didn't want to get out of the water! Prior to this amazing experience, I kept having second thoughts if I really wanted to do this... I'm so glad i did!

....We spent 6 days & 6 nights in Hawaii & are now back home now in the Bay Area. Friends & family keep asking how my Hawaii trip was & the first & only thing that really comes to mind is this awesome morning spent shark diving. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life. 

TRUST & BELIEVE ME when I say how much fun you'll have if you book this tour & adventure! It's really not scary at all....just, BREATHTAKING, really. 

TIPS:
**Book the earliest time available 
**Be sure to take something for motion sickness.
The boat gets pretty rocky while you're waiting for the other divers to get out of the cage. I didn't think I needed it since I don't usually get motion sickness, but I sure wish I had it that morning. 
**Bring a GoPro camera if you have one; if not they can record/take photos for you which you pay for
** TIP the crew - - - they're great! Very down to earth & knowledgeable guys. They make you feel less scared, ensure your safety & make sure you have a great time.

I can't wait until my next Hawaii trip - - i'll definitely be swimming with the sharks here again! =)
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Really enjoyed this experience. Have always loved sharks, so I wasn't sure about being separated from them in a cage, but enjoyed the experience nontheless. The staff is knowledgable and informative, seem to enjoy their work. Boat is clean, in good condition, and well suited for the activity. Short boat ride out to their moorings. Overall an organized and efficient operation.... more
Somebody is feeding these guys, so they come right up to the cage to check you out. If you've never seen a shark before best to keep in mind this isn't normal behavior, they are generally very shy, but if you want to see them up close this is a great way to do it.
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Always to be remembered
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We had an amazing morning with North Shore Shark Adventures. We lucked out with perfect weather for our 9am tour. Smooth sailing and 100 feet of visibility in the water. Sharks were there and waiting for us when we pulled up to the shark cage. Absolutely amazing to be in the water with them up close. The 15 minutes in the cage went by way too fast. Would do this again in a heart beat. Our 12 year ... moreold and 8 year old have a memory to last a life time!
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I really didn't want to do this but my boyfriend convinced me, and I'm actually really glad I went. The guys who run this are super professional and knowledgeable and I felt really safe and had a good time. We spent 20 minutes in the shark cage and saw A LOT of sharks. Definitely worth the money.
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Great time with these guys. The guide was pretty funny, that helps relax any nerves you may have heading out to the dive. I would def. recommend them to any one who's looking for a great experience.
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I was skeptical if we'd (my friend and I) see any sharks, and if so, how close they'd get, but there were so many! and they swam pretty darn close to the cage. I never felt a moment's hesitation in the water; just felt safe, secure and in awe. The sharks are truly amazing, and eerily beautiful: they're sleek, elegant even, and oddly serene (it was such a contrast to what one sees on Discovery Channel's ... more"Shark Week"). The price is more than worth the swim. My only complaint is that getting ahold of the photos is a bit challenging: they take photos/videos off a GoPro, which works off a simcard-thing (?) which my computer is not compatible with.
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Awesome experience!
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I went here last summer in June 2013 as a graduation gift. Awesome experience. Saw a number of sharks swimming around our cage up close; and the DVD for purchase was perfect to remember that adventure.
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Amazing experience! we could actually see the sharks from the boat even before we got in to the cage.  First I was skeptic a little bit about the amount of the sharks we where going to see, but I was really amazed to see that there where quite a a lot! and not small ones. It was a special and unique experience with a lot of adrenalin. Highly recommended!
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Have to experience this once in your life!
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We wanted to do something we wouldn't have the opportunity to do anywhere on vacation, so we picked this excursion and we're glad we did! We chose the 7 am tour, and I'm glad for that, because the water can be rough and earlier is supposed to be better. The crew was great...I thought they were funny, but I didn't hear others laughing as he was telling us that we'd swim the 10-15 feet from the boat ... moreto the cage and we shouldn't get attacked. Clearly a joke, but maybe everyone was tired from the early hour! 

We got out to the site, we were one of the first in the cage and the sharks were already swimming around. Galapagos and Sandbar sharks are most commonly seen, and it was amazing. I was just trying to get good pictures of the sharks, but the water was kind of rough, so we were bouncing all over at times. I even bumped my head on the cage once, but hey, that's part of the deal -- you can't control the ocean. We were in the cage for about 20-25 minutes and it was great, though the rough water made us a little queasy. Back on the boat, two more groups went, and with all the bouncing, my husband a couple others lost their breakfasts (that's after taking Dramamine!). 

The coolest thing that happened was that we saw what looked like dolphins jumping out of the water in the distance towards the end of the third group's time in the water. It turns out, they were actually false killer whales (part of the dolphin family, actually) and they are the predator in the water, so the sharks split. The boat crew said you could come out 1000 times and not see false killer whales. They swam alongside the boat for a bit and came out of the water, so there was a pod of them swimming together. Very cool! 

Everyone said they would be too scared to do this tour, but I tend to be a little skittish and I felt 100% safe, so if you want a cool experience, drive up to the North Shore early and take this tour, I don't think you would regret it. We bought the video ($70, a little pricey) but again, this was sort of a one-time thing for us, so we had to buy!

Thoroughly enjoyed (outside of the seasickness) and would recommend to anyone!
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Definitely an awesome experience. The crew was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to see sharks very close and the whole experience was great. Would recommend to anybody. Don't forget to take motion sickness medication before since some people were throwing up.
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AMAZING STAFF! Checked in with the lovely lady in the little shack. She was so sweet & friendly, she even made sure we were parked in a safe place.....I guess they like to Tow around there. The guys were a little busy & she didn't get a chance to let him know we checked in, he called me to make sure I was on my way & not lost. MAJOR POINTS for that.... more

I don't remember the guys' names but there was 3 very fun, friendly & professional guys who took really good care of us. 

We were lucky enough to see TONS of Dolphins on the way out & they were nice enough to stop the boat so we can watch them & take pix. 

If your'e on the fence about doing something like Swim with Sharks......JUST DO IT! It's so much fun, these guys do everything to make sure you are safe. It's simply amazing to see Sharks.,.....100 times better than seeing them at an Aquarium or something.

WE WILL FOR SURE BE BACK!!!!!!
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This was by far the best experience I've ever had on vacation. They were not kidding when they said that it was a guaranteed shark experience! there were TONS of them. It felt totally safe and I could concentrate on looking at the abundant sharks around us. A MUST do in Honolulu.
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Definitely take some graval or dramamine before you go. Have a very light breakfast about an hour or so before you go. Entrance check in is straight into the dock water where you see a silver boat. You're suppose to park all the way around to the right behind the waters near the other vehicles and you can use the the public restrooms before you head on the boat because there is no restrooms on board. ... moreWe used our disposable underwater camera. Saw 2 big sharks in the cage others saw more. We also got to see them up close in the boat before the cage drop off was and I saw about 5 or swimming around. Looks scary but it's not bad at all. They give you snorkel gear to wear and to take a better look just hold your breath and go down with your snorkel gear. Had my hands on the bar and you can stay in the middle with no bar. They also have additional video footage you can add as group or one for $70. Don't lay around the boat and act sick or talk about it bc it makes others feel uncomfortable lol. It's actually better when you stand up and not think about it. Bring water, mints (helps nausea), and drugs if you need it. Bucketlist done for the honeymooners! Now we want to see great whites. Also i thought I'm pretty sure I saw one medium size tiger (with 4 stripes)..will find out in my camera.
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I had a pretty good experience. Staff was very friendly and talked about the history of why they did not need to chum the waters to lure the sharks in . We were in the second group. After about 7-8 minutes the sharks went away. We popped our heads up, and the crew said it was more than likely that a tiger sharks or bigger pray were coming near, that was why the galapagous sharks and sandbar sharks ... morebooked it. So for the rest of the time we were hoping to see Jaws coming towards us, haha. The water was very rough and pretty tough to hold on to the cage and take pictures. I would recommend paying for the go-pro video ($70?). For when I saw the sharks it was enjoyable :) THEY DO NOT DO REFUNDS IF SOMEONE IS UNABLE TO GO, EVEN MILITARY REASONS. I think I paid around 90. About 2 hours long...
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If you're thinking about doing this and aren't sure about it, just do it! It's totally worth it! I was visiting my dad in Ewa Beach for a week and went to do the shark dive TWICE. It was that much fun! Granted, I'm obsessed with sharks but was an amazing experience. I bought the video the first time because it's really hard taking pics or video underwater unless you have your own gopro. I had a different ... morecrew each day I went and they were ALL such funny, personable and genuinely nice guys.

Definitely remember to take some motion sickness medicine. I'm not sure if I get sick on boats but I took some anyway since I wasn't taking any chances of having that ruin my time with the sharks. I did the early morning (7AM) dive on both days and the water was pretty nice and not too choppy (just big swells the second time due to the approaching hurricanes). I can't wait to go back to do it again. Thank you so much for such a memorable experience!
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Captain dave and reese were our guides and they were awesome! Since we had a small group, they let us go in the cage for longer. They let you use your own gopros or its $70 and they video you and give you the sim card after. The tour at 8:30am was amazinggg. We saw about 10 sharks!! Surreal experience!! Would definitely recommend!
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Worth it
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The shark cage was worth every penny! So happy that I decided to do it! Had 8+ sharks swimming around the entire time. Also we were in the water for awhile!!! Highly recommend. The crew (Mike and Tanya) were awesome!
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I've been on the North shore Shark Adventure excursion twice, in the past 8 years. And both times we've seen numerous Galapagos sharks circling the cage. This excursion is worth every penny my friends. I've seen people from ages 5 to 60 years old stepping in to the cage to view these magnificent animals. I suggest you take medication for sea sickness if you aren't used to a choppy boat ride. Other ... morethan that I highly recommend NS shark adventures.
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This is another must do while in Oahu not for the faint of heart . Be warned if you get motion sickness plan ahead and take something prior to boarding as the am waters can be choppy. The staff was friendly and accommodating . They even offered recommendations of places to eat and visit while on the island . They also offer a video of your experience for as additional charge . You will be only feet ... morefrom swarms of Galapagos sharks within a cage . Floating in open waters. Quite exhilarating .
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This was a great idea and we had so much fun!!! The guys on the boat are great and know what they are talking about. They do film your dive and they are not pushy if you went to buy it or not. You do go out about 3 miles out so the boat does rock a little so if you do get motion sickness but just take some medicine, before and you will be fine. Try to take the tour in the morning so the waves are ... morenot so bad. 

You are in water for about 20mins and trust me that is all the time you need to see the sharks. They come right up to the boot and you can see them as you are waiting. They take you 6 to 7 at a time and you have all the room you need to move around and get a good view. I will say that this made my trip!!!!
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**If you are prone to get motion sick easily, don't hesitate. Take medicine before stepping foot on the boat! You're 3 miles off shore so the waves are rocky. Don't let that ruin your tour!!** What an amazing experience! Our group of 4 took the tour at the 6am spot and we were so glad we did. Those are when the waves are the calmest, and most people still got seasick. We had the best tour guides - ... moreTanya, J, and Joe were super kind and fun people. They offer a video package of the experience. But if you have your own underwater camera or GoPro, definitely bring it! 

The sharks were so docile, and they were everywhere! Just curious creatures, like a reverse aquarium coming to check out who dropped in the cage today. It was a humbling and amazing experience, one I would recommend to anyone coming to visit the island, even those afraid of sharks. This might cure your fears!
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Literally the best experience ever! Took a group of 10 and we had a blast. The guys are the ship are hilarious and make you feel so comfortable. Ryan was the besssssst!  We pulled up pretty early for our 7 am ride and Ryan greeted us. We had a blast and I wish I could do it again and again. The sharks we saw were awesome and we got awesome footage from the guys and even hats! Such a good experience, ... moreI would recommend it to anyone! even non-shark lovers. 

P.S. People do get sick haha so take some medsssssss
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One of the best experiences of my life! I went last September and I was terrified of sharks. Not like most people but it had been putting a dapper on my trips to Hawaii so I thought I'd face my fears. The crew is funny and very comforting and down to earth. I spent the time out of the water talking to one of the crew members on board and he was really nice and informative. ... more

To be so close to these creatures is so humbling. It literally is worth every penny and then more because as soon as I got off the boat and back to shore, I wanted to get back in the water. I have been advocating for sharks ever since I got back and I can not wait to get back there next month to Kauai and September back to Oahu. 

I highly recommend bringing a gopro so you can capture this amazing experience on video and in pictures. 

Mahalo!
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Did the first outing early in the morning. The best time because we left as soon as everyone showed up and had more time in the water.  The sharks are everywhere! And I highly recommend taking a GoPro and Dramamine with you. No matter what, you'll feel sea sick.  My only problem was this girl threw up on the side of the boat where the cage was in and you can the see the chum in the water floating ... moretowards the cage. Of course, she was a tourist.
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You have to try this at least one time in your life! The time spent in the cage was not too much , and not too less. It was prefect! Came here with some friends and had an awesome time! The day we went , the sea was very calm and flat so getting boatsick was not an issue. I do hear however that it can get crazy so be careful what you eat and drink prior to coming here!
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SHARKS!
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It was really cool to see these sharks so close. I took my gopro and got some awesome footage. The cage is really safe, there are some large Plexiglas windows so I got a bunch of pictures where it looked like I was swimming with them HAHAHA! Thanks to the crew @ North Shore Shark Adventures, they are funny and professional!
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The crew members were very nice and like Alvin C said, who doesn't like a little humor when you're facing one of the oceans worst predators. eeeek!!! Fortunately, we went on the perfect day. The weather was perfect, the water was perfect. My cousin tagged along with me at the last minute and did the boat viewing only. She had a GREAT time. Right when we pulled up, there they were. You could see the ... moreGalapagos sharks right away. AMAZING!!! She was able take great pictures. She wants to go into the cage next time :o) 

Just thinking about it right now makes me anxious to do it again. This is an experience that everyone should try, whether it's a surface viewing or a cage viewing. One small thing that I recommend is to just wear flip flops because you have to take your shoes off before you enter the boat. I had on my vibrams thinking i could just wear them in the water, but, had to take them off. Those are not so easy to put on :o)

Other than that, there wasn't anything thing I would have changed. I can't wait to go back. Looking at the dates of the reviews, i'm noticing that april is when the water is more rough, so May would be the time to go.
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Shark tour was legit! The dudes driving the boat and in charge of the tour were chill laid back guys that were awesome. Who doesn't like good humor and good vibes when you're about to go eye to eye with sharks everywhere? We were fortunate to go on a day with cool perfect water conditions with no chop at all. Such a cool experience and if you have a GoPro, you should definitely bring one to capture ... morethe dive. If not, they film also and allow you to purchase. One of the more memorable experiences from my vacation. Mahalo!
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This was an amazing experience and so glad my boyfriend convinced me to do this.  After reading a bunch of reviews and mentally preparing myself for this activity, I took some motion sickness medicine to prevent any sea sickness. It does take about 45 minutes to drive out to the North Shore from Waikiki and we were nervous that we might miss our reservation because there was some traffic, but I called ... morethem ahead of time to give them a heads up. Luckily, got there with a couple minutes to spare - right when they were about to head out!

The water was pretty rocky when driving out into the ocean, but it wasn't that bad since we went earlier in the morning (also a tip I got from other reviews). Once you enter the cage, it's just so crazy! The water is such a deep blue and the sharks are huge! It was my first time using a snorkel mask so I kept swallowing the ocean water because I'd go too far down into the cage and forget to hold my breath. Trust me, this is the saltiest ocean water I've ever tasted. It's pretty much like eating salt by itself!

Besides that, it was such an amazing experience to see all these large Galapagos sharks around you. It's pretty surreal. Luckily, there was a fishing boat next to our boat and dropped some fish into the ocean and they went on a frenzy!

My boyfriend and I split the $70ish video with two other people from the tour. I say that's the best way to go, because I thought they took pictures too but it really is just a 20 minute video. Get's kind of boring to watch, but a nice souvenir! 

Definitely a must do if you get the chance!
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This shark tour was amazing! The crew was very knowledgeable and energetic. They are huge on safety, which I find to be a good plus. We saw well over a dozen sharks at one point! And if you look closely, you may even see a very small jelly fish. The water was super choppy, so if you get seasick easy, beware!... more

I would definitely recommend this and would love to go again next time I visit.
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Shark cage was awesome!
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Went for the shark cage dive to conquer some "Jaws" related fears and it was brilliant. The guys running it were funny and cool,t'was a small group and there were about twenty sharks circling the cage and having a peek inside to see you. There's very few places in the world you could do something like this and it's well worth it. Got great help from the hostel tours hawaii crew with setting it up ... moreand directions too.
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Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo to our crew at North Shore Shark Adventures! We went out on a pretty bumpy day, but that made it more fun (for me, at least!). The experience was phenomenal. Once you enter the cage, you are surrounded by deep blue waters, and graceful sharks swim past you from every angle. ... more

I agree with the other reviewers - make sure to empty your bladder (the crew tells you that) and don't eat or drink a lot since there are no facilities on board. Take a motion sickness pill if you are prone to seasickness so you can maximize your experience.

Jay, our deckhand, was extremely knowledgeable, and super funny. We felt in very capable hands the entire time we were out there, and were so thankful for the experience.

One more tidbit - next time I will wear a shorty wetsuit - I got a little chilly after a while out there, but that's just me.
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Shark Cage Dive
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Its so cool to take a boat ride and then see all these sharks swimming around. The guys on the boat are really cool and they make you feel safe. Thanks so much for setting this up for me!
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Best Shark Cage Experience!
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We simply had this tour 2 weeks back and it was so awesome and one of the best experiences we have finished in life, on account of North Shore gentlemen. They were extremely friendly/funny and accommodating. We were 19 individuals on the pontoon, which i think they overbooked by slip-up or something..they typically put 8 individuals in a cell, 16 for every trip..but in place of putting 9/10 individuals ... morein enclosure for our situation, they put 6 each for 3 rounds...which i think was an extraordinary call. I truly would prescribe these fellows..!
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Once in a lifetime.....
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Got up early to do this trip, I really didn't want to think about it too much cause I didn't want to psyche myself out. We took a 3 mile boat ride out & when we stopped I decided to go in the cage first. I walked down the stairs into the cage & immediately surrounded by sharks. It wasn't scary at all! What is cool is that I saw a shark with a hook on the side of its mouth (probably stole some bait). ... moreThe cage is floating, so really the only scary part is when you lift your head out of the water and see the fins..... I was just playing the Jaws music in my head!
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The guide was really informative & made me feel safe. Thanks!
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What a perfect time to take a 3-mile boat ride out to get into a cage & see some hungry sharks! So I went with 2 of my girlfriends, had a wonderful time, learned a lot about Galapagos sharks. Perhaps one of the best things about submerging in water is the various sensations felt at once: weightlessness, the pressure on your ears, the sound of your breath going in and out of the snorkel & now, the ... moresite of sharks swimming around a cage pushed it to another limit. One shark in particular had a couple of fish hooks attached to its mouth, surely pissing off many a fisherman. This shark should be in the cage, for thievery. No fear felt until I stuck my head out of the water and saw their fins slicing through the water (insert Jaws music here for a Pavlovian response).
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The whole experience is SICK from beginning to end. Literally I was puking over the ledge half the time, the other half i was soaking in the beauty of being in the middle of the sea.  I was a nervous wreck the whole ride out "AM I REALLY DOING THIS????" wtf have i gotten myself into!?? It was a lot less scary once you got in the cage & alot cooler than seeing it on natgeo.... ... more

We had a large party of 16 & got a pretty good discount because of it.

The staff is extremely knowledgeable & you can tell they love there job so make sure you tip them!!
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North Shore Shark Adventures also offers a whale watching tour which my wife and I went on last weekend. We had a fantastic time and I would recommend them to anyone! The staff was very friendly and shared lots of interesting information about whales.  Not long after we left the harbor, we sited a mother and baby whale which we watched for a while and then moved on to look for more whale action. Two ... morethirds of the way into our trip however, we had to go back into the harbor to drop off a whole family that was not feeling well due to motion sickness. As soon as they were safely on land, we went back out and spotted another whale which we watched it until it went for a dive and disappeared. While we waited for it to resurface, we swapped stories with the staff. (It was just us and the staff at this point.) All of a sudden this whale literally jumped out of the water a very short distance from the boat! it was the most amazing whale siting ever and of course we didn't have our camera ready but let me tell you it was an awesome site.

Toward the end of our trip, we stopped by the shark cage to see what that was about and it definitely looked like an excuse for another boat ride. Lots of sharks to be seen yet the setup looked very safe.

Only advice I would give to other guests is this: Do not drink a ton of coffee prior to your trip because there is no bathroom on board the boat and the bathrooms at the harbor are pretty skanky. No toilet paper and no soap but you will be okay if you don't touch anything.
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