Discover the extraordinary world that lives beyond Cape Town’s shores in the company of a real-life shark scientist, with a new adventure from Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel.
Completely exclusive to Mount Nelson guests, this ocean expedition takes you on an exploration of the Cape Kelp Forests, recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, in the company of shark scientist Justin Blake. You’ll enter the octopus gardens made famous in Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, snorkel with (friendly, little) sharks, explore fascinating sea caves and discover spectacular views of Cape Town, both above and below the surface.
The experience is led by Blake who, after completing his marine biology master’s degree, established the RockHopper Fund in 2010. Its mission is to create healthy oceans, with sharks. As he shares his unparalleled knowledge, you’ll gain an understanding of the much-maligned fish’s importance in maintaining ocean ecosystems.
Tracking Kelp Sharks
Using scientific tracking equipment, Justin will demonstrate how tags work as you search for sharks in the underwater wonderland. Keep eyes and ears out for small but striking kelp forest varieties, like puffadder shysharks, pyjama sharks and spotted gully sharks. If desired, you can plunge in and snorkel among the kelp fronds – you may even find yourself swimming with a little finned companion. Discover other creatures that make up the ecosystem, from starfish, nudibranchs and sea urchins to octopus, seals, penguins, dolphin and maybe even whales. Using his professional underwater camera, Justin will capture unique photos of the experience for you to keep.
Wild and Magnificent
Guests can expect the unexpected. The ocean around Cape Town is powerful and raw – there’s no land mass creating a barrier between Cape Town and Antarctica, which makes the sea restless and filled with life. This unique trip is a unique opportunity to not only look at, but be part of the wildness, guided by a shark scientist who spends his days uncovering the mysteries and remarkable stories playing out under the water’s surface.
Guilt-free Feast
As part of the experience, you’ll be treated to a sustainable seafood-inspired picnic created by Mount Nelson’s Chef Rudi Liebenberg. It will feature delicacies sourced from ABALOBI, a South African-based social enterprise supporting small-scale fishing communities globally. Justin will seek out an amazing spot to enjoy the spread – an island, perhaps, or the entrance to a sea cave – so you can simply relax, eat and soak up the wonderful environment
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