Apex predators. Think of them and animals such as the Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Polar bear spring to mind. Given more thought, with some consideration of habitat, and you may also list the Jaguar from the Amazon rainforest or the monkey-eating Philippine eagle from the jungles of south-east Asia. Head to the ocean and everyone would shout 'Great white shark', 'Orca' or 'Sperm whale'. However, there are many others of course. Those less well known, species seldom seen and found only in the remotest regions, hold special allure. Like mythical beasts our knowledge of them is based less on fact and more on
legend. I place animals such as the Snow leopard from the Himalayas or the Eurasian lynx from the Taiga in this category.
From the open ocean I have another; the Mako shark. 

Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) - Photo by Pierre Couillaud

Blue sharks are the mainstay of our shark diving. It is easy to wax lyrical about their supine beauty, their supple movements mesmerise and lull your senses. You leave the water entralled but relaxed, your senses soothed like sore muscles feel after a skilled massage. However, chances are one in three that our shark dives receive a shocking jolt of electricity. A dive where you emerge from the water energised with pupils dilate and adrenaline throbbing through your limbs; a dive with a Mako.

When a Mako arrives it triggers a primeval response in everyone and in its presence every diver raises their game. Like a Blue shark on steroids the Mako's muscular form and movement provokes an instinctive response in our autonomic nervous system. There is no mistaking that this animal is a predator and one at the top of the table. Fortunately, neither the Mako or Blue sharks seem to regard divers as prey and, whilst inquisitive, they always disregard us in favour of the chum. With careful consideration and respect for these superb animals it is possible to dive with them safely.

Makos are beautiful and athletic fish. The colour of their skin has superb counter-shading. Their blue backs almost match the indigo hues of the Blue shark and constrast starkly with their metallic silver flanks and pure white undersides. Designed for speed (and capable of swimming +60km/h) their lunate tail flukes are near symmetrical (i.e. homocercal) and powered by formidable muscles that are clearly apparent in the laterally thickened caudal peduncle or tail stock. Short and stocky their body shape differs markedly from the slim, lithe form of the Blue shark. The head of a Mako also seems to hold more menace than a Blue shark. Makos have a short pointed snout, and rows of long needle-like teeth that are clearly visible even when they close their mouths. The eyes of the Mako also appear completely black and contrast markedly with the 'cat like' elliptical pupils of the Blue shark. With such soulless eyes to me the Mako is the ocean's 'Prince of darkness'.

Makos are long lived (up to 30 years), slow to mature animals (50% males mature at 8 years, 50% females mature at 18 years). Males therefore mature at a smaller size than females (1.85m for males, 2.75m for females). They are ovoviviparous. Females produce live young but rarely more than 10 at a time and infrequently, perhaps once every 18 months. They therefore have a low reproductve rate and their populations are consequently vulnerable to direct fishing or by-catch in the tuna and swordfish industries.

We know remarkable little about these sharks in the Azores. Makos are sometimes sought by big game fishermen and it is known that some parts of the archipelago are better than others for finding them. Diving with these sharks may actually help improve our knowledge. As divers we can record where and when we see Makos. We can also record their numbers, sex and size as well as any distinguishing marks that may help us identify individuals in the future. By recording these data we can gather more clues to help solve the mysteries of their lives. Information that ultimately could help protect, manage and conserve their presence around the archipelago and secure their future.

It's spring and sea conditions are now most variable, but fortune favours the brave and our earliest clients, often the most intrepid, are richly rewarded with some of the best the Azores has to offer. Our first trips of this seaon have been among high seas and waves jostled by a sudden wind change from south to north. Nevertheless with deft skill, our experienced skipper, Michael Costa, has been able to snake his way through the maelstrom and safely manoeuvre the boat purposely out to sea. Our vigias have been excited too, for they have had much to show us. Yesterday it was a group of baleen whales, including Blue whales and Fin whales, the day before, Sperm whales.

Common dolphins (Justin Hart/CWAzores) 

The fluke up of a Sperm whale turning tail at the start of another deep dive (Justin Hart/CWAzores). 

Our latest trip was another epic. It begun, as we headed south through the Canal do Faial, with lines of Cory's shearwaters careening over the wave tops. This was a good sign as the birds' abundance and tracking flights suggested other marine predators were also present. I took the brief pass of a Barolo shearwater as a good omen too, and shortly after, our suspicions were confirmed when hundreds of Common dolphins approached our boat. The dolphins played around the bow and we lingered with them, entralled by their presence. Amazingly, as we eventually sped ahead, more dolphins continued to pass by and their numbers astounded us. Later we also encountered a young Loggerhead turtle. Our goal, however, lay futher offshore and we were several miles from land before we caught sight of a tall blow and located our first whales.

A Fin whale; the white of lower jaw of the whale's right side is a distinctive feature of the species (Justin Hart/CWAzores). 

Initially we found ourselves in the company of two Fin whales; a great joy, but as we followed them their numbers grew and, to our amazement, we were soon part of a gang of five. An incredible and wonderful encounter but perhaps not the highlight of the trip. Guided by the vigias and within a short distance of the Fin whales, Michael soon placed the boat in the wake of perhaps every whale watchers dream animal, a Blue whale. This topped and ended another great trip and left us all eager for more.

The long arching backs of two Fin whales as they surface together (Justin Hart/CWAzores). 

The distinctive notch in the dorsal fin of this Fin whale may allow us to recognise it again in the future (Justin Hart/CWAzores). 

Although several species of cetaceans can be seen around Pico throughout the year e.g. Sperm whales, Bottlenose dolphins and Risso's dolphins, the spring passage of the baleen whales adds some real spice to the whale-watching. Every trip is different but at this time of year the greatest diversity of sightings are possible. Always an exciting time of year I cannot wait to see what's next. Watch this space.     

The Word is Out!
Azores - the new destination to dive with the Blue shark and the Mako  


SCIONS OF THE DEEP BLUE - DIVER Magazine (February 2011 issue)

The keywords for your next lifetime experience are very high success rate, crystal clear waters, blue water diving, wilderness, adventure.
In order to provide the best diving and photographic opportunities, every Adventure Package Tour is restricted to a maximum of 8 divers.
Furthermore, no more than 4 divers (plus the shark guide) will ever be in the water with the sharks.
Plenty of time is allowed for each trip and you will not be disappointed!

Photo by professional photographer Jan Reyniers - Jan is leading our Big Blue Photographic Expeditions

All packages include Shark Diving (Blues & Makos) Princess Alice Seamount (mobulas and mantas), snorkelling with dolphins (bottlenose, atlantic-spotted, common, striped and Risso's dolphins), coastal diving (Pico and Faial), whale watching (more than 20 species of whales and dolphins either inhabit or pass by our waters).

See yourself why the Azores are considered the new frontier of scuba diving.

• Shark Diving Special - Adventure Package 2011
  WHEN: Mid-July to mid-October.
  

• Big Blue Photographic Expeditions 2011 with Jan Reyniers
  Outstanding opportunities for keen photographers.
  Photographic advisory by Jan Reyniers.
  WHEN: September only.

Other interesting links:

• SHARK DIVING page (Blue and Mako)
• PRINCESS ALICE page (Mobulas, Mantas, other pelagics)
• SCUBA DIVING PAGE
• SNORKEL WITH WILD DOLPHINS
• CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE WHALES

CW Azores supports shark conservation. 2% of ticket price for shark diving will be donated to Project AWARE Foundation.