2022 Apr
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Undoubtedly this three dive return trip to False Bay in April was for me, the highlight of 2022.  Andy Murch’s Big Fish Expeditions’ “South African Endemic Shark Diving Safari 2022” had already been outstanding, originally booked as a two-week trip to five locations, False Bay, Plettenberg, Gqeberha, East London and Aliwal Shoal, I extended it twice to dive Sodwana Bay and then False Bay a second time. Having been in False Bay only a few weeks earlier, Andy and I flew back to Simon’s Town in the hope that second time lucky, we might track down one or more of the species we had missed the first time. Diving from Shark Explorer, with skipper Stephen and dive guide Ernest, we chummed at The Pipeline and Andy spotted a rarely seen Tiger Catshark. I didn’t see it but was not too disappointed – ideally I wanted to see a Broadnose Sevengill shark but even without seeing one I was having a very good time. With a Biscuit skate, Puffadder and Pyjama catsharks, Sea Hares and Speckled Klipfish to photograph, I was very contented.

For what was my final dive of the trip, Andy, Ernest and I dived Simon’s Town harbour. I really did not expect to see a Broadnose Sevengill shark, I felt that we should try looking but I was confidently expecting us not to see any. So I shocked to see a beefy Sevengill emerge out of the shadows. And then four more. To say I was excited would be more than an understatement. I was beyond excitement! Andy spotted one nibbling my First Stage Regulator and photographed a second nibbling my Dome Port shield. See Andy's shot "Broadnose Sevengill shark and Malcolm2 Copyright Andy Murch"  This dive was definitely the highlight of 2022 for me.  Subsequently poor Andy, Ernest and Simon had to put up with my bubbling enthusiasm. For days afterwards I only had to think about that magical encounter and would spontaneously start smiling. That was no bad thing as I tested positive for Covid-19 and had to extend my trip a third time to self-isolate at Johnnesburg airport. I really didn’t mind, I was still super-happy from “that wonderful dive.”