Nature enthusiasts and adventurers can now explore Cape Town’s shores in the company of a shark scientist. Exclusive to guests of Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel, this ocean expedition explores the Cape Kelp Forests, recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Guests can enter the octopus gardens of the Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher, snorkel with sharks, and explore sea caves with scientist Justin Blake. Blake is known for establishing the RockHopper Fund in 2010 with the goal of creating healthy oceans, after he completed his Marine Biology Master’s Degree.

Using scientific tracking equipment, Blake demonstrates how tags work while searching for sharks like Puffadder shysharks, Pyjama sharks and Spotted Gully sharks. Other creatures that make up the ecosystem include starfish, nudibranchs, sea urchins, octopus, seals, penguins, dolphins and even whales. Using an underwater camera, Blake captures photos of the experience along the way for guests to keep.

A seafood picnic created by Mount Nelson’s Chef, Rudi Liebenberg, is part of the offering, featuring food from ABALOBI, a South African enterprise supporting small-scale fishing communities globally.

“I want people to understand the perpetual state of change in the ocean – influenced by tide, wind, storms and the animals that call it home. No one place is ever the same,” says Blake.