Take A Deep Breath And Then Go Diving With Britain’s Biggest Sharks!

What are you people like?! Inspired by our suggestion of going cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa, you wanted to know if there was the opportunity to swim with sharks closer to home in the UK.

Have you ever dived or swam with sharks? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can send them to us by email and we will use them on the website whenever possible.

Well, we think we’ve found just the place. The Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, is home to more different species of shark than anywhere else in the UK. More than ten in total, including sand tiger sharks with their fearsome looking teeth.

It has one of the largest aquatunnels in the world at 70m which allows you to take an underwater safari below the aquarium as the sharks and other fish swim around you.

The more adventurous and the plain mad can go one better than watching ten foot long sharks weighing 26 stones through the safety of the aquarium’s glass however. They can get right in there with them! And the bad news is that you don’t have to have any diving experience either. In fact you don’t even have to be able to swim!

If you have never dived before, this must count as one of the most exciting first dives you can make. Imagine putting on a wetsuit for the first time and then coming face to face with a shark!

After a safety briefing and training in a novice tank, you will have the opportunity to dive with sharks in the 4.5 million litre Caribbean tank. Expertly qualified divers escort you throughout the experience and the £175 price includes the use of all equipment and free entry for two spectators (additional spectators can get reduced price entry). The dive sessions are daily beginning at 2.30pm and 4.30pm - presumably AFTER the sharks have been fed!

For divers who are qualified to PADI Open Water or equivalent and have logged a dive within the previous six months there’s the opportunity to test your nerve eyeballing monster sharks! You can use your own equipment or hire it at the Blue Planet Aquarium and the cost of your dive will be £100. And because Blue Planet is one of only a handful of aquariums in the world to have PADI resort status, your dive can be credited as experience towards further dive qualifications.

There is also a full day course held monthly for those aiming for PADI Master Scuba Diver certification costing £195 including lunch and refreshments.

For more information telephone the Blue Planet Aquarium on 0151 357 8805 or visit their website at www.blueplanetaquarium.com

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