Please Don't Eat Me! - Swim with Sharks

If you are looking to swim with sharks, you simply have to go to their website and pay the deposit to reserve one of the ten spots for the day. Once you get to the aquarium, you are greeted by the instructor, Michael Jones, who will be training you on how to dive with sharks. Amazingly, there is more information that you need to know before you jump in a tank. The orientation takes a couple hours to go through rules and information on how to dive. You are then given a small test (Yipes!), but it really isn't too bad. After that, you receive your awesome certificate to show you are ready to dive for the day. They split the groups up for five people going in at time, so it's a lot more controlled.

After the classroom portion is finished, you are now ready to start practicing in the water. You are given a very "slimming" wet suit (not really) and water shoes to put on. Then, you are given a thirty pound belt to help weigh you down in the water and an air tank. We guess that it weighs around fifty-to-sixty pounds. It seems like a lot of weight, but when you are in the water it doesn't feel like much. In fact, since I was taking too many deep breathes (wouldn't you if you were swimming with sharks?), and the instructor had to put more weight on my gear to help me sink.



You practice four techniques in the water. They are actually really important if something was to happen when you are with the sharks. It was kind of awkward swimming with a tank at first. I have only been snorkeling and was use to the little tube that comes up from the water. I also forgot that this was salt water, so the taste isn't the best. Once the instructor thinks your group understands the techniques, you are ready to climb the rope down to the shark tank.

- There are a variety of ways to get to Busan, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the Busan Aquarium because it's on Haeundae beach. Make sure you check the train/bus/subway schedules to be on time.

- Make sure you plan ahead and put the deposit down right away to secure your spot. They do have deadlines listed for their dives. You can see their availability here.

Things to Bring with You:

- CAMERA ~ Bring your camera even if you can't bring it in the water. You will have time before or after to walk around the aquarium. They do have a water photo camera and video camera available to take with you during the dive.
- BATHING SUIT ~ Bring your bathing suit to wear underneath your scuba gear.
- CONTACTS ~ Contacts if you wear glasses. You cannot wear glasses in the tank.
- TOWEL(S) ~ If you forget, they do have them for sale for 10,000won.

- Don't be worried! Just thinking of "Shark Week" on the Discovery channel may scare some people off. It is a great experience to have had in your lifetime.