An exclusive opportunity to snorkel with blue sharks off the Cornish coast is going under the hammer this November, with the Shark Trust offering a guided experience hosted by pioneering UK shark photographer and conservationist Charles Hood.
The experience, donated by Hood, will be auctioned during the Shark Trust’s flagship For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Friday, 27 November 2026.
The winning bidder and up to three companions will have the opportunity to spend a day exploring the waters off Cornwall in search of one of Britain’s most remarkable visiting shark species.
A Blue Shark Adventure off Cornwall
The experience will begin at Penzance harbour, where participants will receive a greeting from wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, either in person or through a video call or recorded message, depending on his filming commitments.
The group will then board Atlantic Adventures’ seven-metre rigid inflatable boat, accompanied by Charles Hood, for a day at sea searching for blue sharks.
Blue sharks visit British waters during the summer months, making Cornwall one of the UK’s destinations for encounters with these oceanic predators.
Known for their distinctive blue colouring, streamlined bodies and curious behaviour, blue sharks can approach snorkellers in the water, providing memorable opportunities for observation and underwater photography.
The trip is expected to take place during July or August 2027, with the precise date to be arranged.
An Experience Supporting Shark Conservation
Blue shark encounters have become an established part of marine wildlife tourism in several destinations worldwide, including the southwest of England, the Azores, South Africa, Mexico and the United States.
The Shark Trust has also highlighted the species’ popularity among underwater photographers, noting that blue sharks were the most frequently featured shark species in its recent Shark Photographer of the Year competition.
Charles Hood, Chair of Trustees at the Shark Trust and a pioneer of shark ecotourism in the UK, has donated, organised and agreed to host the experience.
Proceeds from the successful auction bid will be divided between two conservation initiatives.
The first is Living with Sharks, which explores how people coexist with sharks and includes work relating to responsible shark ecotourism.
The second is the Shark Trust’s Oceanic Programme, which advocates for the conservation of oceanic sharks and rays, including blue sharks.
How to Bid for the Blue Shark Experience
The experience will be auctioned live during For the Love of Sharks on Friday, 27 November 2026, at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Importantly, bidding is restricted to people attending the event in person. Anyone hoping to secure the experience must therefore be in the audience on the evening.
The trip is available for a maximum of four participants, with a minimum age of 14. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Travel, accommodation, insurance and equipment are not included in the auction package.
Tickets for the event are available directly from the Shark Trust:
For the Love of Sharks 2026 – Event Tickets
The auction provides an unusual opportunity to experience blue sharks in British waters while contributing directly to conservation initiatives aimed at protecting these animals and their ocean habitats.
