Dive into Adventure with Atlantic Shark Expeditions

What a surreal and amazing experience! The staff were knowledgeable, kind, patient, and fun. Each diver was well prepared before the dive. The crew was informative, vigilant, and very safety conscious. It was an adventure my family will never forget. Communication with this group of professionals was effortless before, during, and after the dive. What an honor to be able to be part of their important research and to see a great white shark. Would recommend to anyone.

Atlantic Shark Expeditions gave me an experience I will carry with me forever. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed, cared for, and completely safe. The team’s knowledge, professionalism, and genuine passion for sharks made everything incredibly special. Being able to see 3 great white shark in its natural environment was a dream come true, but what made the day truly unforgettable was the way the entire experience was handled—with respect, patience, and so much heart. I’m deeply grateful to everyone at Atlantic Shark Expeditions for giving me such a meaningful and beautiful memory. It was far more than just an excursion—it was one of those rare experiences that stays with you.

Words can't describe how amazing this whole trip turned out. Was a little heart broken when my original date of august 30th was cancelled due to bad weather. But the reschedule has more than compensated with the weather and seeing a great white shark in person. The crew of the Apex are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and make the whole experience worth it. This is a once in a lifetime bucket list item and will 100 percent cure your galeophobia as seeing the shark makes you think more about its grandeur, size and grace. This is something i recommend to all fellow canadians as not many places in the world offer this

Simply one of the most incredible experiences of my lifetime, the scientific research crew was absolutely outstanding, informative and shared their knowledge and expertise freely.

We booked two back-to-back days with Atlantic Shark Expeditions, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. Neil, Maggie, Magdeline, John, and Gerry were all fantastic. Neil, Maggie, Magdeline, and Gerry were incredibly knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge, answering everything from simple questions about the sharks to more in-depth questions about their ongoing research. They made a point to keep everyone engaged, regularly opening things up for questions and sharing interesting details throughout the day. John and Magdeline were phenomenal getting us comfortable in the cage. They walked each of us through the regulators, breathing underwater, the cold, and the very real mental hurdle of getting into a cage with sharks nearby. They were calm, patient, and incredibly good at reading each person’s comfort level. By the end, they had taken us from nervous and unsure to genuinely relaxed and excited. You also get a test dive or two before the sharks arrive, which makes a huge difference. We saw several sharks our first day and only a couple on the second, but the crew kept the experience fun, informative, and engaging regardless. That’s wildlife, and they never overpromised. If you can, I highly recommend booking two days back-to-back. It increases your chances of seeing sharks, but it also lets you really settle into the experience. The second day was when we felt fully comfortable in the cage and could simply enjoy it. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I can’t recommend Neil and the Atlantic Shark Expeditions team enough.

What a fantastic experience! Wow! We were incredibly lucky to see a female hang around off and on for a while. And the crew! Absolutely fantastic. They were kind and extremely patient! I would love to go back. My ONLY issue was that there 12 divers but only room for 4 in the cage so when she came around, not all of us had the chance to come face to face with her. I had read previous reviews from years prior and it seems they listened and adapted so I wouldn't go off of old reviews.

An adventure of a lifetime! Cage Diving, shark science, wonderful crew. A must for every shark geek.

We had a blast! This is a 100% must-do, bucket-list level experience. Captain and crew are amazing - friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Thanks for another great day guys.

What an exciting adventure. Well supported and coached by the crew. It was a privilege to share with our children. Highly recommend even if have no diving experience. Being part of the research team was so informative.

I've had lifelong issues with motion sickness on boats, so whyyy would I book this excursion? It's too exciting an experience not to at least try--and I have no regrets! Although I spent much of my time feeling ill, my son had a fantastic time in the cage face to face with an adorable 8-ft blue shark and taking pictures. We were fortunate that the shark stayed with us for hours, and we all had plenty of opportunity to observe it. We also saw seals, a porpoise, some saw a sunfish, and I saw a humpback breach in the distance. The ASE team is kind, patient, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic! I'd definitely recommend this excursion to anyone. If I can get better meds (haha), I'd absolutely do this again, both for the thrill and to support our researchers and sharkies. By the way, the team unknowingly named the shark my middle name, so I feel like it was meant to be. 🙂

What an incredible experience! The crew was incredible, and our dive master was so patient! We got to see sharks, and the crew was just as excited as we were when they appeared. Highly recommend this experience to everyone. Will definitely be back again!

This was a 10/10 bucket list adventure! We saw 7 sharks and they were incredible. The crew was amazing 👏 I will definitely be going again ❤️

This dive was pure magic. Dr. Neil and his crew truly love what they do so much that the scientific passion elevated such an incredible trip. Seeing a shark in the water is nothing short of life changing.

J’ai vécu l’une des plus belle aventure de ma vie avec l’équipage de Neil. Les requins étaient au rendez-vous et j’ai pu plonger à plusieurs reprises ! Je recommande fortement cet expérience !

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolute experience of a lifetime! Shark cage diving with Atlantic Shark Expeditions was unforgettable. Dr. Neil, the researchers and lead divers were amazing: patient, knowledgeable, engaging and clearly passionate about the sharks and their research. What made the experience truly special was being able to witness real shark research firsthand. We were incredibly fortunate to see research conducted for the first time and even meet a new shark that is still waiting to be named! It was fascinating, exciting, educational and so much fun. The team’s knowledge, passion and respect for these incredible animals made the entire experience exceptional. I cannot recommend Atlantic Shark Expeditions enough. Truly a once in a lifetime experience! 🦈

I have always loved sharks and getting to see them in their natural habitat was awe inspiring. The crew were fantastic and it was obvious how much they care about and love the animals. I cannot recommend Atlantic Shark Expeditions enough.

This has been a lifelong dream of mine! I put it on my bucket list formally in 2008. To be able to do it here in Nova Scotia - home for me was absolutely incredible!!! The sharks - Tank and Mystic - did not disappoint. Everything was perfect - the weather, the crew and of course the sharks! The crew were knowledgeable, polite, professional and beyond accommodating! As someone with health issues, they went above and beyond to meet and exceed my expectations to ensure I had the best possible experience. Thank you Maggie, Magdeliene, John and Jenny. Hope I got all the names right... I was just so excited! And a predominantly female crew with a female captain was epic too... just sayin!

Amazing experience! Saw multiple different great white sharks. The crew is very friendly and knowledgeable. Can’t wait to go again next year!!

AMAZING!! This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Saw 3 white sharks! Could not ask for a better captain and crew. Felt very safe the entire time. I would do this again in a heartbeat!

10 sterren!!!!! Een geweldige ervaring! Wij komen terug 1000%!

Had a great time! Weather was excellent, the crew was awesome and the Great Whites did not disappoint. They put on a great show! Absolutely amazing creatures that deserve our respect and our protection. Highly encourage further work to better understand them and their needs.

Super expérience, équipe très professionnelle avec un respect de l'animal et ne rentre pas dans la sortie trop "touristique".

Fantastic!!! Everything about the excursion was wonderful. Dr Neil and his crew did an amazing job balancing the guest experience while still conducting research. The entire crew was extremely knowledgeable about the sharks and other ocean life that was spotted. It was fascinating to watch the cage lower from the boat into the water and then the divers into the cage. Very safe, sturdy and available for as many dives you want!!! Seeing great white sharks up close and personal checked a bucket list box for sure!! Highly recommend ASE!!!

Juste parfait! L’équipe est super sympathique. On voit vraiment les requins de prêt. Et un gros plus car les profils servent a financer la recherche.

Best day ever!!! I’ve been wanting to cage dive with sharks since I was a little kid, and this was a dream come true. Clear communication through email for months up to the day we left. It was also very safe! We saw 4-5 great whites, a basking shark, dolphins, and more. I highly recommend for anyone who loves sharks.

Our second dive with ASE on August 10 2026 was perfect. We saw dolphins, harbour seals, puffins, and a large basking shark. Then had 4 or 5 great whites show up and hang around for a couple hours. We got many turns in the cage, but the views from above water and on the top deck were just as cool as the views from within their new custom built cage. We watched as Dr Neil was able to collect a muscle biopsy from a free swimming great white for the first time ever. It was so cool being part of the science that goes towards helping and protecting sharks. We love the work ASE does and can't wait to come back for a third visit in a couple years! It's an east coast tradition at this point for us. Also wanted to note how much has been updated and changed since our last visit 3 years ago in August of 2023. (That experience was also 5 stars and life changing) But we enjoyed seeing all the new updates that added to our day- like the new location that is very convenient, the new bigger boat, the new custom built cage that has clear bars, a ladder, foot holds and hand holds, the surface-supplied air system that allowed us to breathe underwater comfortably, and all the expert and emerging scientists on crew! Our day was spectacular and we can't wait to show off all our new ASE gear and spread the word back home in Ontario! Thank you Dr Neil, Captain Maggie, first mates John and Magdalene, and assistant Geraldine!!

Incredible and life changing experience! My brother and I did the second and third day of 2026 season in Aug. To anyone reading if you are on the fence - do not hesitate! The Great Whites showed up both days two beauties day 1 and the second day 5, one more impressive than the next- they did not disappoint. Dr. Neil and the crew are attentive, kind, professional, friendly and facilitate learning about sharks. I felt in capable hands at all times. They worked incredibly hard to make this experience rich and meaningful. For me this was a dream come true facing a fear and great fascination. I traveled from NYC to do this and I would do it again in heartbeat. When I compared notes with friends that did cage Great Whites experiences in other places in the world they explained mine with ASE was infinitely better. Thank you ASE for all that you do ❤️🦈

The white shark cage dive with Atlantic Shark Expeditions was a bucket-list experience that surpassed all expectations. The crew were knowledgeable and professional and personable, led by the incomparable Dr. Neil Hammerschlag. We were given a chance to practice a cage dive before there were sharks present so that we could get comfortable with the gear and the environment...it really put anxious participants much more at ease. And then a white shark showed up immediately at the end of our practice round! It was magnificent (as were the other FOUR that eventually joined him!) Everyone had ample opportunity to see the sharks from both the cage and from the viewing deck above as the sharks remained with us for the duration of our time at the site! And the experience felt very authentic due to the science being conducted by Dr. Neil and the crew. We felt like we were part of the team and not just a pack of tourists. This was the trip of a life time! Thank you to everyone at Atlantic Shark Expeditions. I'll be back!

If you want to see sharks in their environment, this is a superior option. As a “mature” woman who initially struggled with being able to stay underwater without panicking, the crew were so, so helpful with both practical tips and general encouragement and being non-judgmental about my struggles to successfully see the sharks in the cage. I am ecstatic to report that with the support of the crew, I did see amazing blue sharks in their home environment. If you are an old dog who wants to learn new tricks, love sharks, want to support research, this tour is a great option. If you want to try something like this but have no idea what you’re doing, they will support and help you. They really do mean no experience necessary.