Shark Cage Diving Tour, Gansbaai, South Africa is an amazing place to safely experience this once in a lifetime activity. Certain things you may feel are dangerous, possibly foolhardy. However many adventure seekers come to South Africa every year to enjoy this unique experience.
Things to Do
The experience begins with an informational safety video, followed with a final briefing. After that, your outfitters will provide you with a wetsuit, a snorkel mask, and an air hose which will dangle from your mouth. Once equipped you will be placed in a steel cage that is tethered to the side of the boat.
The white sharks are then lured close to the side of the boat. Your Captain will throw ‘chum’ (ground up fish) near your cage. It may take a while before the first great white shark appears. However, in the distance, you will see a murky shadow followed by a dorsal fin. This animal will then circle you, advancing closer and closer. Once the shark has scoped out the situation it will then move in for the kill. Thus taking a big bite from the chunk of food used as bait.
When diving, each person can now enjoy their time more with sharks. The WSDC (White Shark Diving Company) allows a maximum of 22 passengers on board and no more than eight divers in the floating cage. The most reputable companies take a lot fewer divers with them to allow for a greater viewing experience.
How to get there
False Bay, near cape town, is the easiest to get to. Only 42 KM away, you can take a train, taxi or bus here. If you want to drive yourself, it will only take 30 minutes to get there. Your shark diving trip will be located in a place called Seal Island.
Gansbaai is is a quaint little fishing village about 160 km from Cape Town. Also known as the Great Capital of the Great White Shark as it has one of the largest population of Great White Sharks. It only takes a two drive along roads N2 and then R43 from Cape to Gansbaai. If you don’t want to drive you can also take a coach there.
Mossel Bay is also another amazing option for Shark Diving in South Africa. This is about 400 km east from Cape Town. You can drive there taking roads N1 and N2 and this will take approximately 4 hours. Or you can take a bus. If neither appeal to you can take a domestic flight, with prices ranging from up to $160 dollars.
When to go
A There are sharks in the water off Cape Town all year, but May-September (winter) is the best time for viewing them. They Prefer the colder water and plentiful fish at this time of year
How long
The trip lasts about half a day. Non-divers can view the action aboard the boat.
Opening and Closing Hours
In False Bay, Gansbaai, and Mossel Bay, you can do a morning and afternoon trip. Make sure to book your trip a day before.
Planning
Shark cage diving takes place in three locations: False Bay, near Cape Town; Gansbaai, about 68 miles (110 km) southeast of Cape Town; can Mossel Bay, near George, National or local outfitters can arrange trips.
Inside Information
The tour outfitters provide everything you need for diving, including steel cage, wet suit, mask, and air hose. You must have some diving experience and qualifications.
Things you will need to bring are:
- Your swimwear,
- Dry clothes for after the cage diving.
- Sunblock to prevent sunburn,
- Glasses to protect your eyes.
- A jacket to keep you warm.
- Seasickness tablets if you’re prone to Seasickness
- Bring your own waterproof camera, with batteries and an extra memory card. Some outfitters will provide you with a camera, but you will have to rent this.
History
Shark cage diving original started in the late ’50s for production of a movie called ‘the silent world’. Overtime Cage diving started to increase in popularity as documentary filmmakers seek protection from Great White Sharks. Only till the 2000s did shark cage diving has a massive spike in popularity as a tourist activity. Shark cage diving is now a multi-million dollar industry. Above all, this helps contribute many jobs and touristic benefits to countries hosting the Great White Sharks.
Sharks are very different from other fish as they are built from cartilage and connective tissue. Sharks don’t have a skeleton. Sharks also have teeth embedded in the gum rather than directly affixed to the jaw, and are replaced throughout life. Consequently, some sharks lose more than 30,000 teeth in their lifetime. They can swim at speed over 35 mph and depths of 1200 meters. Above all, the great white sharks can grow up to 6 meters and have a lifespan of up to 70 years.
Websites
- www.visitsaonsaa.com
- www.whitesharkdiscovery.com
Other Nearby Attractions
Two Oceans – For a more calm, grounded experience, you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. There you can find the amazing Predator Exhibit, displaying terrifying ragged-tooth sharks, and a wide variety of beautiful sea creatures.
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