The Sharks of Protea Banks

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I have a question concerning whales... is it possible to see them and how many chances to see them? How long they stay close to the surface? Does it make sense to dive just to see them in Protea banks without doing the sardines run, or the only way to have a good chance to see them for quite some time is to watch the sardines run when they are feeding?
You can sometimes see them from the boat on the way to or from dives, but you do not get in with them. You have a much higher chance of being in the water with them on the Sardine Run. If you really want quality time with them, you should go on a specialist whale snorkelling trip like thisone in the Turks and Caicos. Humpback whale snorkeling
 
From what I understand it is possible to see migrating humpbacks at Protea Banks if you are there at the relevant times of the year - I wasn't as I was there in November (best for the variety of sharks) and again in April (tiger sharks...). I have personally had much more luck during the Sardine Run in late June and early July when it is quite common to see humpbacks.

That said, the chances of a quality in-water encounter are quite slim and are limited to being dropped in-front of the whales and hope to see it. Usually it is just a "drive-by whaling"....

The best place for humpbacks is Tonga in my personal experience: Complete Guide to the Humpback Whales of Tonga | Indopacificimages

Don
 
Does anybody know how the weather is in september in protea banks ? Is it the in or out season ? Rainny or sunny ?
Thanks !
 
Does anybody know how the weather is in september in protea banks ? Is it the in or out season ? Rainny or sunny ?
Thanks !
There are sharks there year round,just different species at different times of year. September is the local equivalent of spring, though it is a tropical climate so warm year round. The water will still be cool, around 21/22 C generally. Still pretty dry then. Other than that, the sea conditions there are not predictable, could be calm, could be rough, could be both in the same day.
 
So the best time for tiger / hammerheads when is it ?
Does it get warmer at a specific time of the year ?
21 - 22 bbrrrr not so warm.
Thanks for your answers !

There are sharks there year round,just different species at different times of year. September is the local equivalent of spring, though it is a tropical climate so warm year round. The water will still be cool, around 21/22 C generally. Still pretty dry then. Other than that, the sea conditions there are not predictable, could be calm, could be rough, could be both in the same day.
 
So the best time for tiger / hammerheads when is it ?
Does it get warmer at a specific time of the year ?
21 - 22 bbrrrr not so warm.
Thanks for your answers !

Scalloped Hammerheads start to turn up around October to May. Tigers best Feb to end of April. Bulls November to September. It warms up gradually from November, hits a max of 26C in March, and starts cooling off. You can see a table with all the different species and water temperatures here https://www.indigosafaris.com/protea-banks-diving.htm
 
Thank you Christopher very informative link
White sharks all the year...
Do you dive with cages there in Protea Banks or the chances of encountering/being attacked are low and it’s not necessary?
 
Thank you Christopher very informative link
White sharks all the year...
Do you dive with cages there in Protea Banks or the chances of encountering/being attacked are low and it’s not necessary?

White sharks are circumglobal, File:Cypron-Range Carcharodon carcharias.svg - Wikipedia
No cages are used and in around 400 dives between Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal I had one 10 second viewing of a juvenile white shark. They are around, as their teeth are found on the sands on Aliwal Shoal from time to time, but seeing one is a super rare occurence.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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