SHARK CAGE DIVING - The Heart of the Cape Community Adventure Tourism Market

[SamMichan]

Over the past 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 have become interested in them and have a healthy mixture of fear and respect for these beautiful creatures.

South Africa, more specifically Cape Town, is without a shadow of any doubt, one of the greatest 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 participating in what they were born to do.

The Adventure of a Lifetime

Shark cage diving and surface viewing is now increasingly popular within the adventure tourism industry over the past decade. It is the ability of an eternity being able to witness these magnificent animals inside their natural habitat.

Annually thousands of people travel the globe to see and dive with the 400 species of shark within our oceans. Every year they undertake this adventure with apprehension and excitement and every time return with an interest 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 engage in this activity. Great care is taken not to interfere an excessive amount of with the natural behavior patterns of the sharks. The feeding of sharks is also strictly prohibited, to prevent them from associating boats having an easy meal.

Passengers on the shark cage trips are likely to see Great Whites as other sharks tend to help 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. It can take around one hour of chumming before the first shark appears. Once the sharks have settled down, the initial band of cagers prepare to enter their cage while the remainder retreat to the rear 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. Whilst 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 knowledge is not only thrilling for anyone in the cage. The passengers on the boat can enjoy the surface viewing from an unparalleled viewpoint and to observe and photograph the Great White sharks from just a few feet away regarding Shark research volunteers. Surface viewing listed here is 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 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 an excellent standard.

The most effective season 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 are not completely absent from the areas. During caging and viewing trips Great White sharks are encountered 95% of times, on an excellent day up to several Great White sharks ranging between 2, 5 and 4, 5 meters may be encountered.

There are always a multitude of companies operating shark tours in and around Cape Town many specialising in specific sightings as a result of where they are based. On all of the tours you will be able to experience a great many other facets of marine life independent of the sharks: schools of dolphins; seals; penguins; bird life and occasionally whales.

Experience the Thrill

Whether sharks intrigue, fascinate or frighten you, it's the experience of a whole life being so close for them and observing them inside their natural habitat. Being with these mighty kings of the deep is one of typically the most popular activities in adventure tourism at the moment. Whether you need to dive with Great Whites or simply view them from afar, Cape Town is the right position 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.