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