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SHARK CAGE DIVING - the heart of the Cape Town Adventure tourism industry
Over the past 350 million years sharks have dominated the oceans
of the world. The fiercest predators in their domain, sharks
have earned their reputation as the hunters of the sea. Humans
have become fascinated by them and have a healthy combination of
fear and respect for these beautiful creatures.
South Africa, more specifically Cape Town, is without a shadow
of a doubt, one of the best destinations worldwide for
experiencing sharks, especially Great White sharks, at close
proximity. The population of sharks is unparalleled elsewhere,
and the locations are so accessible and in close proximity to
land, that you are virtually guaranteed to witness numerous
animals engaging in what they were born to do.
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Shark cage diving and surface viewing has become increasingly
popular within the adventure tourism industry over the past
decade. It is the experience of a lifetime being able to witness
these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Each year thousands of people travel the globe to see and dive
with the 400 species of shark in our oceans. Each year they
undertake this adventure with apprehension and excitement and
each time return with a passion and deep seated respect for
these fascinating creatures.
Swim with the Sharks
Shark cage diving is a strictly regulated industry, with only a
few operators having been granted a license to engage in this
activity. Great care is taken not to interfere too much with the
natural behaviour patterns of the sharks. The feeding of sharks
is also strictly prohibited, to prevent them from associating
boats with an easy meal.
Passengers on the shark cage trips are most likely to
experience Great Whites as other sharks tend to keep a low
profile in their territories. The Cape Coast is one of the most
famous Great White territories world wide.
On boarding the boat for the trip out to sea, the passenger's
anticipation is overwhelming. It can take up to an hour of
chumming before the first shark appears. Once the sharks have
settled down, the first group of cagers prepare to enter their
cage while the rest retreat to the back of the boat or viewing
platform to witness the spectacular proceedings, eagerly
awaiting their turn in the cage.
The bait line is slowly drawn towards the cage. As the bait
line
approaches so too does the Great White. The cage experience
has been described by some as an emotional, heart-stopping and
truly thrilling experience.
The experience is not only thrilling for those in the cage. The
passengers on the boat are able to enjoy the surface viewing
from an unparalleled viewpoint and to observe and photograph the
Great White sharks from only a few feet away. Surface viewing
here is amazing as passengers get an all-round view of the
sharks attacking, circling and descending.
Shark Cage Diving Locations
There are two areas where Great White diving is done, Gans Bay
and Mossel Bay. Both these destinations are easily reached by
land or air from Cape Town International Airport. Both
destinations are also major tourist hot spots and accommodation
and restaurants are of an excellent standard.
The best time of year for Great White viewing is between April
and November mainly due to the mass-pupping of seals. Sharks are
a little less active between December and March but are not
completely absent from the areas. During caging and viewing
trips Great White sharks are encountered 95% of the time, on a
good day upwards of a dozen Great White sharks ranging between
2, 5 and 4, 5 meters may be encountered.
There are a multitude of companies operating shark tours in and
around Cape Town many specialising in specific sightings because
of where they are based. On most of the tours you will be able
to experience many other aspects of marine life apart from the
sharks: schools of dolphins; seals; penguins; bird life and
occasionally whales.
Experience the Thrill Whether sharks intrigue, fascinate
or frighten you, it is the experience of a life time being so
close to them and observing them in their natural habitat. Being
with these mighty kings of the deep is one of the most popular
activities in adventure tourism at the moment. Whether you wish
to dive with Great Whites or simply view them from afar, Cape
Town is the perfect location for you.
About the author:
Shark cage diving is once in a lifetime opportunity for shark
lovers and adventure junkies alike. Experience the ultimate
thrill whilst diving with ragged-tooth sharks, a turtle, rays
and game fishes in the I&J predator exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium in
Cape Town.
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