Sponsored Content
KNYSNA NEWS - Human beings usually weighs up the pros and cons before doing a ‘questionable” activity.
Is it safe? Is it ethical? What is involved? Here is what you need to know about shark cage diving Cape Town so that there are no surprises on the day.
You’ll arrive at the Apex Shark centre where tea and coffee are available, and indemnities are signed. From there you'll hop on the boat, get the rundown of the trip, and meet the crew.
The boat is off, powering through the water for about 25 minutes to the anchor point. Keep a beady eye out, you're bound to see some marine life, such as dolphins, whales, penguins, and seabirds, not to mention the stunning views of the harbor and mountains.
Once the crew drops anchor and the cage, each guest is allocated a cage rotation. As the “point of interest” is prepared for the sharks, the first group will receive their dive gear and weight belts (the wetsuits are extremely buoyant) and enter the cage!
You’ll need to listen carefully and act quickly, plunging your head beneath the water as the crew shouts out the location of the sharks, swimming around the boat and cage. Nothing quite prepares you for the awe of seeing sharks in their natural habitat, inches from your face.
Warm up while the next group goes in, observe the sharks from above with the boat's amazing 360 views (a great option for those not wishing to get into the cage, the views from onboard are just as amazing as in the cage).
Grab one of the light lunch options and snacks in the cabin. You will be at sea for 3-4 hours. Thereafter the boat will depart for the harbor to the meet-up point for coffee and to sign back in.
How to prepare?
Firstly, avoid alcohol the night before, get a good night’s rest, and take some nausea medication if you are prone to seasickness.
Remember to eat before your trip and put your bather on underneath clothing. It is best to wear layers in Cape Towns' weather.
If filming or photography is your thing, bring a waterproof cover for your phone or bring your Go Pro along to capture some amazing footage of the dive.
Who can do it?
Just about anyone can shark cage dive, as the cage provides a safe environment. The diving is very user-friendly and doesn’t require any scuba gear other than a mask, wetsuit, and weight belt. Service providers provide hookah systems, however the breath-hold technique is great for anyone, plus it allows for one to listen to directions from the crew as to where to look for the sharks.
When and where
Shark cage diving can be done all year round, weather permitting. Each season may offer different shark species, such as the Bonzer Whaler shark, Seven Gill shark, Mako shark, and Blue shark. The best place to go to is Cape Town, just 45 minutes from the city center. Then Gansbaai, which is 3 hours from Cape Town, and lastly, Mossel bay which is 5 hours away.
What not to do
Cage diving with sharks should be done as respectfully as possible and with the crew's years of experience, you will be in the safest of hands. Keep your limbs safely within the specifically shark-engineered cage as you are interacting with powerful creatures and listen carefully to the instructions of the crew.
Things nobody tells you
A good tip is to hook your feet under the bottom bar provided in the cage, and then essentially squat whenever you need to submerge. This frees up your hands to get some footage and images. The crew is extremely informative which allows anyone to learn about the oceans, especially from the eco-conscious perspective.
You will not only leave with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but you will also learn so much more about the mysterious oceans.
Also read: Fun Outdoor Activities To Do For Adventure-Seekers
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
