Shark Cage Diving – Gansbaai
September 14th, 2009Shark Cage Diving – Gansbaai
by Charl Grobler
There are a few things that should be on every intrepid travellers itinerary while visiting Cape Town or the Garden Route, most climb Table Mountain, Bungee Jump off Gouritz River Bridge, Skydive and then there are a few that consider shark cage diving. Many people do consider Shark Cage Diving as a adrenaline activity, but once you climb into the cage and duck your head underwater, there is definitely a sense of calm and awe. Anyone can go diving, and it is not limited to the adrenaline junkies.
Gansbaai is known as the mecca for Great White Shark cage diving, the most densely populated area for Great White Sharks in the World. Most the trips will take you just off Dyer Island, about 20 minutes from the main land. A typical white shark diving excursion takes between 3-5 hours, depending on the weather, sea conditions and shark behaviour. Trips depart from Kleinbaai harbour and anchor site depends on the sea conditions, weather and previous shark sightings. There is the option of surface viewing or entering the water in a secure cage. Those wishing to cage dive do not have to be scuba qualified.
looks amazing and good fun, but is it not dangerous? Are the sharks used to people doing it.
Comment by South Africa Safaris — 25 September, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
I have always wanted to try shark cage diving. I think its one of those adventure activitiesthat you need to at least once in your lifetime. The adrenaline you must get from being in the water with the sharks. Then the calmness you get once you are submerged and they are swimming around you.
Comment by outdoor adventure — 28 September, 2009 @ 9:43 am
We offer shark diving in Gansbaai, South Africa so are able to say:
The sharks are frequent visitors to the area called shark alley due to the high number of seals, but they don’t stay in the area long. This means that there is little chance of them getting ‘used’ to us dropping in to say Hi! However, they are surface feeders and naturally curious so this provides ideal conditions to view them in their natural habitat with as little negative impact as possible.
It really is an amazing experience that should be done at least once, it gives you an awesome amount of respect for this beautiful creature!
Comment by Shark Zone — 17 December, 2009 @ 12:38 pm