2-Hour Cage Dive, Encounters Inc

Oahu: North Shore Shark Cage Diving runs through Hawaii Shark Encounters Inc. Rated 4.8 across 1,556 reviews. Runs approx 2 hours. From $100.

Overview

This is a roughly two hour shark cage experience run by Hawaii Shark Encounters out of Haleiwa Boat Harbor on Oahu's North Shore. You ride a boat out from the harbor, then climb into a floating cage that stays at the surface. No scuba gear or certification is involved. You use a mask and snorkel, and you watch Galapagos and sandbar sharks through large polyglass windows as they swim past in open water.

The cage design is what makes this accessible to a wide range of people.

Kids as young as five can take part, and there is an observer option for anyone who wants to ride along with family without getting in the water. The boat carries a maximum of 12 travellers, and one reviewer mentioned sharing the cage with only a couple of other people, which left room to take pictures.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at Haleiwa HarborThe trip starts and ends at Haleiwa Boat Harbor, at Hawaii Shark Encounters, 66-105 Haleiwa Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712.
2. Boat ride outYou ride out from the harbor to the cage site. Reviewers describe the ride to the cage as part of the fun.
3. Cage timeYou enter the floating cage at the surface with a mask and snorkel and watch sharks glide past the polyglass windows. The whole experience runs about two hours.
4. Return to harborThe activity ends back at the meeting point. A reviewer notes a local shopping area close to the harbor for before or after the trip.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they are worth sorting out before you book.

• Go early. One reviewer recommends taking the earliest hour, which suggests a morning slot is a good bet if your schedule allows it.
• Bring the basics. Towels, swimwear and suntan lotion are not included, so bring your own. Food and beverages are also on you. Pack with a boat day in mind rather than a beach day.
• Motion sickness. One reviewer reported struggling with the boat ride on a rough day and advised choosing calmer conditions if you are prone to motion sickness. If that applies to you, favor a calm day when you choose your departure.
• Photos. Snorkeling equipment is included. One traveller said a small cage group made it easy to shoot pictures through the windows, so the crowd in the cage can shape what you come away with.
• Fitness and fear. No scuba experience is required and the cage stays at the surface. Reviewers who were scared going in said the crew talked them through every step and they ended up enjoying it, so nervous first timers are in good hands.
• Who can come. The minimum age is five, and one reviewer described the trip working for their kids. Anyone who would rather stay dry can take an observer ticket, which covers the boat ride but not the cage or snorkel gear.

Common issues. The listing states the experience requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund. One reviewer said the company shifted their time due to wind forecasts and it paid off. The trip also needs a minimum number of travellers, so it can be cancelled for low participation, though you get a different date or a full refund in that case. It is not wheelchair accessible, and anyone with serious heart or other medical conditions should not take part. Full refunds require cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time.

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