GREENLAND SHARK
EXPEDITION
Meet a real living fossile in the High Arctic!
Not only that the Greenland shark has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrates with up to over 400 years, in fact, sharks and their relatives were the first vertebrate predators on Earth. Shark fossils date back more than 400 million years – that means sharks managed to outlive the dinosaurs, survive mass extinctions, and still are at the top of underwater food chain.
However, even as a generalist feeder, consuming a variety of available foods and adapted to living at depth, with climate change and human impact on the oceans the Greenland shark is facing some of the biggest threats right now.
We dedicate this expedition to this primeval creature and try to observe the sharks in their traditional habitat. A few years ago, we were able to observe how the sharks follow the scent trails when the Greenlandic hunters and fishermen return blood, blubber and fish remains to the sea as they go about their work.
This inspired us to start trying to see the sharks. Because although they actually live in unreachable depths, they come up to the water surface when food can be found here. In order to have the greatest possible chance of success, we therefore work closely with local hunters and fishermen.
Nevertheless, one must not forget that this is an expedition in which we want to observe wild animals in their habitat. So, there is never a guarantee as to whether or how many sharks you will see.
And even if we will focus for the sharks, of course we will also visit other dive sites as icebergs and pack ice – the visibilities underwater are often excellent.
To access the dive sites, we use snow mobiles and boats. Weather and temperatures can be extreme and there is a risk of weather-related loss of days with outdoor activities on this tour. Nevertheless, as a reward there are unbelievable experiences and extraordinary photo motives.
Team ability and physical fitness are basic qualities which every participant should bring!
This tour takes place in small groups of max. 8 divers!
Price per person
4,750 Euro
Important information - diving
As this is a real expedition every participant should be clear in her/his mind about that. This tour is not for counting the number of the dives, nor is it guaranteed if and how many sharks we will see!
We plan to dive with Greenland sharks, maybe near icebergs bounded in the pack ice and under ice in the Arctic. The visibility to be expected is about 20 to 70 metres (65 to 230 ft), or even more – often the water is crystal clear at this time of year.
Training requirements:
– experienced cold water diver
– at least 20 logged dry-suit-dives in the last 2 years
– ice diving or full cave certification needed!
For the diving steel tanks with DIN twin valves (200 bar) with 12 and 15 litres of volume, as well as smaller pony bottles are available, just as weights in various sizes.
We don’t rent out any equipment. All divers need to be familiar with their equipment and be able to handle it under those arctic conditions.
The dives under ice will be with safety line guidance and in buddy teams, as well as in open water when diving from the ice edge. From the boat diving without line is save, usually. A dry diving suit is essential, as well as two separate regulators. The depth limit is 15 metres / 50 ft because of the risk of freezing/free-flowing regulators. The water temperatures vary between -1°C and -3°C (26°F to 30°F).
Extremely warm under suits, thermo underwear, or a heating west are necessary. Also, we have to get the dry suit on and off on the ice / at the dive site between the dives, which is why the clothes which are worn under the dry suit should be suited for wearing it the whole day.
Every participant must be able to prove about experiences with dives under closed ice. Also, a certain physical fitness is demanded with this tour.
We do dives under ice where special safety rules have to be followed. These safety regulations will be explained before the dive and individually referring to the respective dive. Oxygen equipment is available during the whole trip.