PHOTOS: Underwater With Sharks At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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PHOTOS: Underwater With Sharks At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

For the first time ever, visitors to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are being offered the opportunity to swim with sharks. SeattleInsider went underwater with a camera to capture the experience.

For the first time ever, visitors to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are being offered the opportunity to swim with sharks.

Kirotv.com web videographer Michael Fox went underwater with the tank full of sharks to experience the new exhibit that is set to open this week.

Starting Oct. 11, non-certified divers will be able to view 17 sharks up close from an underwater cage. No experience is necessary!

Certified scuba divers will be able to swim among the sharks with professionally trained guides.

There are 17 sharks in the 240,000-gallon tank - the biggest a 450-pound lemon shark.

The staff at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium hope that the experience will teach divers how these animals are misunderstood and mistreated by those hunting and killing them for their fins.

“The main goal of this program is to publicize the plight of sharks worldwide and to inspire people right here in Puget Sound to help protect and conserve marine life for future generations,” zoo deputy director John Houck said. “We want our visitors to leave with a pledge to take action that will help save sharks.”

Prices for the cage dive are $50 for zoo members and $65 for non-members. The cost for the scuba dive is $160 for zoo members and $175 for non-members. Prices include admission to the zoo and aquarium and a souvenir Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive towel.

Spots for the underwater adventure have already been reserved clear into December.

For more information, or to make a reservation, visit www.pdza.org/dive.

Keep clicking to see more images from the eye-to-eye dive at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

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For the first time ever, visitors to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are being offered the opportunity to swim with sharks.

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