Shark Cage Diving

What to Expect

The party usually meets at dockside by 6 AM. Loading the boat with gear and the cage takes about 30 minutes. After a quick orientation explaining boat policies, rules and demonstrating correct cage procedures, we shove off for a 20-60 mile steam. Once in the area, the water temperature will be between 60° and 65° in June and upwards of 70° in September. Depending on conditions, the water visibility may measure between 15 feet and 80 feet. The water depth will be approximately 200 feet. The sharks will take anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours to find our chum slick. Three divers will be allowed in the cage at the same time. The "anti shark cage" dimensions are 5 feet wide, 6 1/2 feet long and 7 1/2 feet high. It is constructed of 1" anodized aluminum pipe. The cage will be located on the surface or to a depth of 7 feet deep. Diving ends some time around 3 PM with our return to port by 4:30 PM. Off loading should be completed by 5:00 PM.

11 Year old Bailey Roy

The "Playpen"

The "Playpen", or our surface cage, is a floating platform designed for the non-certified snorkel diver. You will definitely experience the same thrill and excitement the scuba diver enjoys from below the surface. You simply observe the sharks from above the surface.

Sharks and Marine Life

The shark is one of the most fascinating creatures on earth. With an air of mystique surrounding it, the shark has roamed the oceans for millions of years, virtually unchanged.

Blue Shark. Photo by Bill Campbell.

Off the Rhode Island coast, the blue shark is the most common shark you will encounter. It ranges in size from 4 to 13 feet, weighing 30 to 350 pounds. A slender body is characterized by an iridescent blue color and its trademark long pectoral fins. The best months for viewing this shark are July, August, September and October.

The mako is one of the most aggressive sharks in the ocean, sometimes leaping 15 feet out of the water. It is identified by its pointed head, multi layered teeth, full muscular body, and crescent shaped tail.

The basking shark frequents our waters during the month of June. It is a harmless plankton feeder reaching lengths of over 20 feet. Calm, sunny days usually bring the basking sharks up to the surface to sun themselves.

Many other forms of marine life visit our waters and make themselves available for the divers viewing pleasure. These include varied species of plankton and jelly fish including the Portuguese Man-of-War. Large fish often seen are

Humpback Whale.

The dolphin or mahi mahi, marlin, porpoise, tuna, sea turtles, ocean sunfish and whales.

Certification Requirements & Liability

Divers must provide their own diving gear. Scuba divers must show certification through P.A.D.I., S.S.I., Y.M.C.A., N.A.U.I., or N.A.S.D.S.. Divers should be in good physical shape. All participants must sign a liability release before the boat leaves the dock. Non-Certified divers are permitted to snorkel dive on the surface only.

Customer Discounts

With the substantial increase in fuel prices, expense of building a new boat and inflation, I had to increase my rates for the coming season. However, on most trips, you will be pleased to find the increase to be only $5 - $10 per person. This is possible because with the new boat, pricing the trip is done for 8 people rather than for 6. If you
include a 10% discount (described below), your price per person in some
cases will actually be less than it was last year.

Rates

Reservations

For reservations, please contact:
Captain Charlie Donilon
2 Congdon Dr.
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 782-4040
Boat/Cell (401) 487-9044
E-mail:snappacharters@cox.net
www.snappacharters.com