Porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus)
48.8°N 3.5°W · English Channel, Pink Granite Coast
Brittany
Wild Brittany, on the trail of the porbeagle shark
Dates & availability
- 22 to 29 August 2027
Location France
Duration 8 days / 7 nights
Level PADI Advanced Open Water / CMAS** or equivalent recommended
Price On request
Price on request. Private seafront cottage, shared double rooms.
The expedition
Head for northern Brittany, where sheer cliffs plunge into a deep blue ocean and sea legends still seem to drift in the salty air.
Here, between the Pink Granite Coast and the Grand Site naturel of Ploumanac’h, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, nature reigns supreme. A raw, authentic landscape shaped by wind and tides, home to a surprisingly rich marine life.
Beneath the surface, kelp forests shelter lobsters, spider crabs and shoals of glittering fish. Above, the gannets of France’s largest colony plunge-dive, while razorbills and grey seals bring the coast to life.
And at the heart of this vibrant world: the porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus), the star of the expedition. Guided by Blue Mind Expeditions, you will set out to meet it, safely and with respect for its environment.
Fascinating talks will open the doors to its world, and you will take part in identifying the individuals observed over the outings. A unique marine adventure, between exploration, science and wonder, without leaving France, in the heart of a wild and mysterious Brittany.
The headline encounter
Five freediving outings with the porbeagle shark, cousin of the great white
What you see
Underwater, in Brittany.
Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula)
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Razorbill (Alca torda)
What you do
What you’ll do — or can do.
- 1 freediving training session
- 5 freediving outings with the porbeagle shark
- 5 scuba dives to discover the marine life of Brittany
- Identifying the sharks observed over the outings
- Talks on photo-identification and environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Shark workshops
- Visit to the LPO station or the Sept-Îles nature reserve
The journey
Day by day.
Sunday 22 August
Arrival: welcome and check-in at the accommodation, presentation of the week, dinner in town.
Monday 23 August
Freediving training, lunch, then a first freediving outing to meet the porbeagle shark. Dinner in town.
Tuesday 24 August
Freediving outing to meet the porbeagle shark, back to port and lunch, 1 scuba dive. Talk on sharks (photo-identification & eDNA), dinner in town.
Wednesday 25 August
Freediving outing to meet the porbeagle shark, back to port and lunch, 1 scuba dive. Shark workshop, dinner in town.
Thursday 26 August
Freediving outing to meet the porbeagle shark, back to port and lunch, 2 scuba dives. Dinner in town.
Friday 27 August
Snorkelling / freediving outing to meet the porbeagle shark, back to port and lunch, 1 scuba dive. Visit to the LPO station or the Sept-Îles nature reserve, dinner.
Saturday 28 August
Day off: drying the gear and relaxing, lunch. Shark workshop, dinner.
Sunday 29 August
Check-out from the campsite, visit to the LPO station or the Sept-Îles nature reserve.
Good to know
Before you go.
-
Temperate oceanic climate
Water: 15 to 17 °C Air: 11 to 15 °C
-
Wetsuit
7 mm spearfishing-style full suit, hood and gloves, dark colours (no bright colours)
-
Seasickness
Bring seasickness tablets
Citizen science
Your contribution, here.
Throughout the week, you take part in identifying the porbeagle sharks observed over the outings. Two talks introduce the researchers’ tools: photo-identification, which makes it possible to recognise each individual from one encounter to the next, and environmental DNA (eDNA), which reveals the presence of a species from the traces of DNA it leaves in the water. You will contribute directly and actively to scientific research on the species, and a donation is automatically made to the local association.
The trip
What's included.
Included
- Private seafront cottage at the Sandaya campsite, shared (7 nights)
- Shared double rooms
- Bath towels and bed linen
- 1 freediving training session
- 5 freediving outings to meet the porbeagle shark
- 5 scuba dives to discover the marine life of Brittany
- Diving weights and belts, short 12 L steel tanks
- Visit to the LPO station (French bird protection league)
- 1 local guide
- 2 naturalist guides
- 1 professional videographer to immortalise this unforgettable experience
- 2 talks on photo-identification & eDNA
Not included
- Domestic flights, trains, buses or any transport to get there
- Cancellation and assistance insurance (recommended)
- Diving insurance (mandatory)
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Diving equipment rental
The detailed programme and full terms are sent on request, contact us.
Registration
Interested in this expedition?
No online booking: fill in this form and we will get back to you to plan everything together.
Keep reading the logbook
