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Over the past 350 million years sharks have dominated the oceans of the world. The fiercest predators within their domain, sharks have earned their reputation whilst the hunters of the sea. Humans have grown to be fascinated with them and have a healthier 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 finest destinations worldwide for experiencing sharks, especially Great White sharks, at close proximity. The population of sharks is unparalleled elsewhere, and the locations are very accessible and in close proximity to land, that you're virtually guaranteed to witness numerous animals engaging in what they certainly were born to do.
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Shark cage diving and surface viewing is now increasingly popular within the adventure tourism industry within the last decade. It is the experience of a very long time being able to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Annually thousands of people travel the world to see and dive with the 400 species of shark inside our oceans. Annually 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 a strictly regulated industry, with only some operators having been granted a license to participate 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 be strictly prohibited, to stop them from associating boats by having an easy meal.
Passengers on the shark cage trips are most likely to see Great Whites as other sharks tend to keep a low profile in their territories. The Cape Coast is one of the very famous Great White territories world wide.
On boarding the boat for the trip out to sea, the passenger's anticipation is overwhelming. It will take up to one hour of chumming before the initial shark appears. Once the sharks have settled down, the first number of cagers prepare to enter their cage while the others 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 ability is not just 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 just a few feet away. Surface viewing here's 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 performed, Gans Bay and Mossel Bay. Both these destinations are typically Shark research volunteers reached by land or air from Cape Town International Airport. Both destinations will also be major tourist hot spots and accommodation and restaurants are of a fantastic standard.
The very best time of the year for Great White viewing is between April and November mainly as a result of mass-pupping of seals. Sharks certainly 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 that time period, on a good day up to a dozen Great White sharks ranging between 2, 5 and 4, 5 meters might be encountered.
There are a multitude of companies operating shark tours in and around Cape Town many specialising in specific sightings due to where they are based. On all of the tours you will have the ability to see a number of other facets of marine life in addition to 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 ability of an entire life being so close in their mind and observing them inside their natural habitat. Being with one of these mighty kings of the deep is one of typically the most popular activities in adventure tourism at the moment. Whether you wish to dive with Great Whites or simply just view them from afar, Cape Town is the right location for you.
Shark cage diving is once in a lifetime chance for shark lovers and adventure junkies alike. Experience the best 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.