About us
From an obsessive idea to a European reference
MAKO PAKO was born in 2013 with the beginning of offshore exploration in the Cantabrian Sea.
Trials, errors, and hundreds of hours spent in open water. What started as a personal need to explore the Cantabrian Sea and its pelagic inhabitants gradually grew into something bigger: revealing an unknown ocean right off our own coastline.
Through persistence—and a great deal of cold water—we documented our incursions, areas of presence, and patterns that had not been described for this part of the Atlantic. That accumulated experience is now the foundation of everything we do.
A project that grew from the will to share
As our understanding of the environment deepened, a natural need emerged to open this world to the public, always within a clear framework: respect, safety, and responsibility. Divers, photographers, and ocean enthusiasts began joining our expeditions, and MAKO PAKO evolved into what it is today: the first operator specialized in pelagic shark snorkeling and observation in Spain and continental Europe.
Our purpose is not only to take you out to sea, but to show you a part of our wildlife that almost no one imagines exists here.
Real Ecotourism: Science, Education, and Conservation
From day one, we understood that this project only made sense if it was built on clearly defined values:
- Contribute to shark conservation
- Reduce the impact of our activity through specific protocols
- Provide scientific data generated from our expeditions
- Take part in local, national, and international environmental initiatives
- Reinforce the value of the Cantabrian Sea, where we carry out our activities
The observations and records collected by MAKO PAKO have been used in scientific studies and conservation projects, including the designation of ISRA (Important Shark and Ray Areas), a key step in the protection of vulnerable species in Europe.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROJECT
ISAÍAS CRUZ
Isaías is the founder of MAKO PAKO and one of the people with the deepest knowledge of the Cantabrian Sea’s open waters. An underwater photographer and cameraman, scuba diving instructor, and professional skipper, he has spent more than a decade studying the behavior of pelagic sharks along this coastline—documenting their movements and developing responsible safety and observation protocols.
His work in the water—both solo and while leading expeditions—has produced a unique archive of images, data, and first-hand experiences that have contributed to improving scientific knowledge of the blue shark. From his perspective, this project only makes sense if it combines authentic experience, marine education, scientific impact, and absolute respect for the ocean.
He is the person who defines MAKO PAKO’s operational standards and ensures that every outing is safe, ethical, and fully aligned with conservation principles.
Learn more about his work at www.isaiascruz.com.
XABIER MINA
Xabi is a collaborator at MAKO PAKO. He holds a degree in Marine Sciences and, after completing his academic training, spent several years working in research and science-based projects, gaining a rigorous understanding of marine ecosystems from within.
Over time, he chose to take that knowledge where it could have the greatest impact: education. For many years, he has worked as a secondary school teacher, dedicated to teaching and to inspiring curiosity about nature in younger generations. His way of explaining the ocean—clear, honest, and firmly grounded in scientific reality—is one of his greatest strengths.
Xabi brings a unique combination to the project: scientific training, field experience, and strong pedagogical skills. His presence on expeditions adds careful observation of the sea and a powerful ability to transmit knowledge.
He has a remarkable talent for explaining, in an accessible way, what is happening around us in open waters.
COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS
MAKO PAKO actively collaborates with scientific institutions, conservation projects, and organizations dedicated to the study and protection of sharks and marine biodiversity. Our commitment is clear: to do everything within our reach to support and strengthen the defense and protection of sharks—and to make our guests and community part of that mission.
MEDIA
¡QUÉ ANIMAL! (TVE2)
The television program ¡QUÉ ANIMAL!, broadcast on TVE2 and presented by Evelyn Segura, dedicated an episode of its sixth season to sharks. Part of that episode was filmed during one of our expeditions, carried out specifically to locate and observe sharks in the open waters of the Cantabrian Sea.
ESPAÑA DIRECTO – TVE
During the 2021 season, a team from Spanish public television (TVE) visited Bermeo to film a feature for España Directo. The report focused on our tours, highlighting shark outreach and conservation through responsible observation experiences.
VIDEO TAUCHEN
In mid-July 2020, Tobias Fiedrich and Patricia Guardiola visited Bermeo to meet us and produce a short video documenting their experience, along with a feature article for the German diving magazine TAUCHEN.
VIDEO TVE
Following several blue shark sightings along beaches of the Basque coast, TVE reporters interviewed us in August 2020 for the national news.
They asked for our expert perspective on these events and the presence of sharks in coastal waters.
EL CORREO
Did you know you can swim with sharks in Bermeo?
SPUTNIK
Gonzalo Wancha, journalist for the Sputnik news agency, covered our work and interviewed us alongside Rafael Fernández and Gádor Muntaner, focusing on sharks in Spain and worldwide.
MARCA
The sports newspaper MARCA published an article recounting the visit of world champion photographer Rafael Fernández to MAKO PAKO, describing his experience swimming with sharks along the Basque coast.
EL CORREO
Iratxe Astui, a journalist from EL CORREO, came to Bermeo to meet us, interview us and ask us about our activities and also about the shark sightings that occurred on some beaches along the Basque coast.
EL CORREO
Do we swim with sharks in Bermeo? A group of experts offers a nearly unique experience in Europe.“I confess it—the first dive was intimidating. Heading offshore while laying a scent trail to attract sharks and then swimming with them requires serious mental preparation…”
EL CORREO
Bermeo enters the global map of marine conservation thanks to its sharks and rays.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature recognized its waters as a key area in the Cantabrian Sea for the protection of blue sharks.
NOTICIAS DE NAVARRA
This is what it’s like to swim with sharks in the waters of Bermeo.
Carried by ocean currents, Mako Pako offers this experience with the goal of breaking down long-standing prejudices against these shy animals.
UPPERS
Neither Hawaii nor the Maldives— you can swim with sharks in Bermeo: “It’s safe and an incredible experience.”
ECONOMIST & JURIST
Mako Pako, the company offering shark diving in the Cantabrian Sea. An exclusive experience aimed at raising awareness about the fragile situation of sharks in Spain.
TENDENCIAS HOY
Bermeo, the Basque town where you can swim among sharks. Have you ever thought about swimming with sharks without traveling to tropical islands? In this part of Spain, it’s possible.
LA RAZÓN
Blue sharks in Bermeo. Just a few miles off the Biscayan coast, encounters with these animals—both feared and admired—are guaranteed.
