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In the last 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 are becoming interested in them and have a healthy mix of fear and respect for these beautiful creatures.
South Africa, more specifically Cape Town, is without a darkness of any 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're virtually guaranteed to witness numerous animals doing what these 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 knowledge of an eternity being able to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Every year a large number of people travel the world to see and dive with the 400 species of shark inside our oceans. Each year they undertake this adventure with apprehension and excitement and every time return with a passion and deep seated respect for these fascinating creatures.
Swim with the Sharks
Shark cage diving is just a strictly regulated industry, with only some operators having been granted a license to take part in this activity. Great care is taken not to interfere a lot of with the natural behavior patterns of the sharks. The feeding of sharks can also be strictly prohibited, to stop them from associating boats with an easy meal.
Passengers on the shark cage trips are most likely to have Great Whites as other sharks tend to keep a low profile in their territories. The Cape Coast is one of the very most famous Great White territories world wide.
On boarding the boat for the trip out to sea, the passenger's anticipation is overwhelming. Normally it takes up to an hour of chumming before the initial shark appears regarding Shark research volunteers. After the sharks have settled down, the first band 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. Because the bait line approaches so too does the Great White. The cage experience has been described by some as a mental, heart-stopping and truly thrilling experience.
The ability is not merely thrilling for anyone in the cage. The passengers on the boat have the ability to enjoy the outer lining viewing from an unparalleled viewpoint and to observe and photograph the Great White sharks from only some feet away. Surface viewing listed here is amazing as passengers get an all-round view of the sharks attacking, circling and descending.
Shark Cage Diving Locations
You can find two areas where Great White diving is completed, Gans Bay and Mossel Bay. Both these destinations are easily reached by land or air from Cape Town International Airport. Both destinations may also be major tourist hot spots and accommodation and restaurants are of a great standard.
The most effective time of the year for Great White viewing is between April and November mainly due to the mass-pupping of seals. Sharks really are a little less active between December and March but aren't completely absent from the areas. During caging and viewing trips Great White sharks are encountered 95% of the time, on a great day up to twelve Great White sharks ranging between 2, 5 and 4, 5 meters might be encountered.
There are always a large number of companies operating shark tours in and around Cape Town many specialising in specific sightings because of where they are based. On a lot of the tours you will have a way to have many other facets of marine life independent of the sharks: schools of dolphins; seals; penguins; bird life and occasionally whales.
Go through the Thrill
Whether sharks intrigue, fascinate or frighten you, it's the knowledge of a lifetime being so close for them and observing them inside their natural habitat. Being with one of these mighty kings of the deep is among the most popular activities in adventure tourism at the moment. Whether you wish to dive with Great Whites or just view them from afar, Cape Town is an ideal location for you.
Shark cage diving is once in an eternity 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.
The Wall