| Shark cage diving has become an incredibly popular | | | | is in Gansbaai, South Africa. Dyer Island is extremely |
| experience for both tourists and locals alike in Cape | | | | close to Gansbaai, making the shark population very |
| Town and its surrounds. With the blending of the warm | | | | dense and the trip to Dyer Island quick. |
| Indian Ocean and cool Atlantic Ocean around the | | | | The cage used is generally a floating one and will be |
| Southern Cape Coast, this marine setting provides a | | | | attached to the boat the entire time that people are |
| rich diversity of sea creatures. Southern Right Whales, | | | | diving. The cage cannot be broken and the sharks do |
| Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins and Great White | | | | not try and get inside it. It is advisable to book a few |
| Sharks are just some of the spectacular sea life | | | | days in advance for a shark diving trip to avoid the |
| which make the Cape Coast their home. | | | | disappointment of the charter being fully booked. |
| One of the world's most heavily populated Great | | | | Weather is also an important factor to consider as |
| White Shark areas is in the waters surrounding Dyer | | | | rough seas can mean lack of visibility so booking a |
| Island. A lot of research is conducted on sharks in this | | | | few days before a planned trip allows divers to book |
| area, helping scientists and the general population | | | | according to weather reports for suitable conditions. |
| understand these incredible creatures better. Sharks | | | | All equipment is provided by the charter company, |
| have been found to be curious and very intelligent | | | | such as wetsuits for instance. It is a good idea to |
| creatures, sometimes lifting their heads above the | | | | make sure that the charter is a licensed shark cage |
| surface to gaze at prey or other objects. | | | | diving operator. Even though the experience is a safe |
| About the Great White Shark | | | | one, using a charter who is not registered may mean |
| The Great White Shark has long been regarded as | | | | sub-standard equipment making the activity unsafe. |
| the king of the ocean and the most feared creature in | | | | Also, unregistered charters sometimes feed the sharks |
| the sea. With multiple rows or razor-sharp teeth and a | | | | and create behavioural traits in which sharks associate |
| jaw so strong it can break metal with ease, the Great | | | | humans with food. This does not help to ease the fear |
| White certainly has made a name for itself as a | | | | of shark attacks on humans. Registered charters have |
| fearsome predator. | | | | specific ways of feeding the sharks to stop them |
| The Great White Shark is considered an endangered | | | | from ramming the cage as well as other unfavourable |
| species on the Convention on International Trade in | | | | behaviours. |
| Endangered Species (C.I.T.E.S.) list of endangered | | | | What to Expect |
| species. The Great White is feared by many and is still | | | | A typical shark cage dive will begin at dawn, with a |
| a mythical and fascinating creature. Many humans, | | | | charter boat departing the shore as the sun begins to |
| terrified of a shark's nature, cannot comprehend a | | | | rise. This is the prime feeding time for Great White |
| shark as an incredible fish and a true example of | | | | Sharks and a substance made from fish and other |
| nature's brilliance. | | | | proteins is thrown into the water to attract the sharks. |
| A Great White Shark can grow to more than six | | | | After a short safety briefing and once a shark has |
| meters in length and weigh up to 2,259 kilograms, | | | | been spotted, a cage is lowered into the water from |
| making it the largest predatory fish in the world. | | | | the side of the boat. |
| These sharks display 'counter colouring' which is the | | | | After the cage is ready and the passengers wishing to |
| camouflage type colouring of their body to disguise | | | | lower themselves into the cage are in wetsuits and |
| themselves and make attacks on prey easier. The | | | | have their gear on properly, the exhilarating experience |
| dorsal area (top half) of a shark is grey to disguise it | | | | can begin. |
| from prey at the surface of the water while the | | | | Divers enter the cage one or two at a time and are |
| underside is white to disguise it from prey underneath it. | | | | able to have a crystal clear view of Great White |
| Sharks are incredibly sensitive to movement of any | | | | Sharks swimming past the cage and their behaviours |
| object in water. When any object moves, it creates an | | | | in their natural habitat. The charter will generally swing |
| electric field and a Great White Shark is able to sense | | | | bait away from the cage so that the sharks only swim |
| half a billionth of a volt! | | | | past and not at the cage. Once all the people wanting |
| Great White Sharks feed off fish, whale carcasses, | | | | to dive have done so, the boat returns to shore for a |
| dolphins, seals, porpoises and smaller sharks. Penguins | | | | leisurely lunch and drinks on the shore whilst |
| can be attacked but sharks do not eat them generally. | | | | experiences can be shared with one another. |
| In South Africa, the Great Whites off the Cape Coast | | | | With Dyer Island being just off the Cape Coast, this |
| breach the surface of the water, swimming at such | | | | area is truly a shark cage diving hotspot. Shark cage |
| speed to startle their prey that they break the surface | | | | diving is well known for creating an incredible adrenalin |
| and launch into the air. This is only seen along the | | | | rush and has become an increasingly popular tourist |
| Cape Coast and is a spectacular sight to see. | | | | attraction in the area. |
| Great White Shark Cage Diving | | | | Shark cage diving is a safe and extremely exhilarating |
| One of the best ways to see a shark in its natural | | | | way to observe these incredible fish in their natural |
| habitat without being in danger of injury is to take part | | | | habitat and to have an experience not likely to be |
| in shark cage diving. One of the best places to do this | | | | forgotten. |