Great white sharks – those words alone are enough to get some people’s hearts racing. Often regarded as one of the ocean’s fiercest predators, these massive marine creatures have certainly developed an image for themselves – one that invokes fear and anxiety in many. Despite this, or maybe because of it, some divers relish the thought of jumping into the ocean headfirst to meet these apex predators up close. If this sounds like you, then you should definitely consider adding South Africa to your diving bucket list. Home to one of the world’s largest populations of great white sharks, South Africa offers some of the best cage diving for face-to-face encounters with the ocean’s most feared predators.
Where To Go
It’s possible to spot great white sharks all along the coast of South Africa, however, there are three main locations where cage diving occurs. The most famous of these is Dyer Island, a bird sanctuary located just off the coast of Gansbaai, near Cape Town. The waters around this island are teeming with one of the world’s largest schools of great white sharks, many of which reside in what’s known as “Shark Alley.” This “alley” is a channel that lies between Dyer Island and a large outcrop named Geyser Rock, which is frequented by a large population of seals. It’s these seals that draw in and entice the great white sharks to hang around – meaning, you’re pretty much guaranteed a shark sighting (or two) in and around these waters.
Another popular spot for cage diving is False Bay, which is located near Simon’s Town, about an hour outside of Cape Town. Hosting a large population of Cape fur seals, False Bay, also called Seal Island, is a common hunting ground for many great white sharks. It’s quite normal to spot sharks hunting seals at this location. You can usually see the sharks hurling themselves into the air, as they breach the water.
Mossel Bay is another great option for cage diving that is conveniently located close to shore. With another Seal Island of its own located only a few miles from the coast, it’s a noteworthy alternative that promises shark sightings for those who tend to get seasick or are short on time.
When To Go
While great white sharks roam the waters off South Africa year-round, the best time to see them in large numbers is during the winter months from May to August. This is also when diving conditions are the best, as visibility tends to be at its highest during the winter season. Be aware, however, that heavy storms are also known to hit the coast of South Africa during this time. If conditions become too hazardous, diving boats won’t be able to launch, so it’s best to set aside a few days for diving, just in case you get rained out one day.
As an added bonus, winter is also when southern right and humpback whales make their annual migration around South Africa. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to spot a pod of whales on your way to or from the dive sites!
How It Works
Cage diving is unlike scuba diving in many ways – in fact, you don’t even need to be scuba certified to go cage diving! This is because you never actually leave the confines of the dive cage nor do you travel that deep below the surface. The dive cage, which is made of galvanized steel tubing, is attached to the boat and floats on the surface of the water. This allows you to safely enter the cage directly from the boat without needing to venture into any shark-infested waters.
Dive operators will typically use fish blood and chum to attract sharks closer to the boat. Once they’re in view, you’ll enter the cage through an opening at the top. You will usually be provided with either a snorkel or scuba regulator before entering the water, which will allow you to stay underwater as you observe the sharks. Some people may also opt to don a wetsuit, depending upon the time of the year and water temperatures.
Most cages will have a “window” or large opening that allows for a clear view of the sharks, so you can watch them and take photos without any obstructions. Don’t worry though, this gap is still too small for the sharks to get through and will prevent them from getting too close.
Boat and cage capacities can vary, depending upon the location and the dive operator you choose to book with. However, generally speaking, there can be anywhere from four to six people in a dive cage at one time. Each group spends on average about two hours at the dive site, with at least thirty minutes spent underwater.
What You’ll See
Marine life will vary depending upon the time of the year and the location that you visit. However, generally speaking, you can usually count on spotting a few different species of sharks. There is of course the great white shark, but you may also encounter sevengill sharks, shortfin mako sharks, blue sharks, and bronze whaler sharks. You are also likely to see some combination of seals, African penguins, dolphins, stingrays, southern right whales, humpback whales, and seabirds. Every trip out into the ocean will be different, and while there is no guarantee that you will see one particular animal over the other, chances are that you will still see something that takes your breath away – and maybe even scares you a bit!
Cage-Free Alternatives
If you prefer to dive without the restrictions of a cage, there are a few scuba operators that provide shark dives, although you most likely won’t be diving with great white sharks. Some popular locations include the waters right off Cape Town, where you can dive with sevengill sharks in a nearby kelp forest. Or, if you’re willing to travel farther north, you can visit the coast of KwaZulu-Natal and dive with bull sharks and tiger sharks at Protea Banks. There’s also the infamous Sardine Run, an annual event that occurs for a few weeks in May, June, and July. During this time, millions of sardines migrate up the coast of Africa, drawing in the ocean’s largest predators. If you time it right, you just may be lucky enough to come face-to-face with a variety of sharks, whales, and dolphins.
