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Unforgettable Cape Town Shark Cage Diving
January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Tourists travel from far and wide to Cape Town to take part in one of the world’s fastest growing travel activities – shark cage diving. The seas around Cape Town contain large numbers of Great White Sharks.
In Cape Town this species of shark is known to breach far more than its counterparts in the USA or Australia. A breach by definition means the shark actually leaves the water in a magnificent display of its prowess to hunt. It propels itself far beneath the water; positioned under its prey then breaks the surface and in the process grasps its target in its powerful jaws.
Chris Fallows is a world renowned photographer who captured famous images of Great Whites breaching. Using ordinary household carpet he cut out a shape of a seal which he dragged behind his boat. In this way he was able to capture breathtaking images of Great Whites breaching.
Most of the shark cage dives take place about an hour’s drive from Cape Town in a village called Gansbaai. This is a popular attraction for shark enthusiasts. Gansbaai is the closest bay to Seal Island.
Seal Island is a popular hunting ground for the sharks as this is where the biggest population of Cape Fur seals live. These seals are an important part of the Great White Shark’s staple diet. Seals have to pass the so-called ring of death when leaving and returning to the island as the sharks patrol a corridor around the island to feed on any stragglers.
Safety is imperative and new visitors are taken through a day of safety protocols before they are allowed to enter the water in the cage surrounded by sharks. Operators have to undergo strict licensing procedures. Great White Sharks are officially listed as an endangered species and they are treated with respect.
A typical day involves an early morning breakfast followed by a boat trip to Seal Island which is less than an hour away. The boat will circle Seal Island to give all those onboard a view of the tens of thousands of seals that inhabit the island. The skipper will then find a good place to anchor the boat and set up the cage. On a good day the first sharks can arrive in a matter of minutes. Some are curious and circle the area for an hour or more while others stay for only a short time.
Shark cage diving is one of those truly once in a lifetime experiences that should not be missed.
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