Go shark cage diving

Shortly after my best friend moved to Hawaii in August 2008, we made a promise to one another that we would cage-dive with sharks when I came to visit her. Unfortunately, it’s been almost a year and the logistics of me traveling there haven’t lined up in our favor, but when they do, we’re going for it. I’ve loved marine life since childhood, and relish any opportunity to get up close and personal with the creatures of the sea.

Ugh, we had to cancel the trip because they jumped the price on us at the last minute; it was going to be close to $500 for both of us. Considering that we’ll almost certainly run into a shark at some point just by accident while diving, this seemed to steep.

However, I did say I would do this or suck, so I’ll take my lumps: anonymous ladies and gentlement, I totally suck.

Here in Boston, you can go out 15 or 20 miles off the coast and dive with blues and makos – pretty cool, since I had been under the impression I was going to have to go to South Africa to get this done. It’s scheduled for September 8. $170 / person, which is steep but hell, diving with sharks.

The outfit I’m going with will let you go without a cage, but the last guy who did it got bumped a bunch of times by a mako, and you know what that means. (It means he’s deciding whether you’d make good eating.) I’ll just stick with the cage, thank you.

seeing a great white changes you!
the only apex predator that man can not control!
and being in the water with it….......chills your blood!

After a few schedule and money problems, I finally got up on Friday at 5 am to take my 3 friends with me! It was a blast! My friends and I were surprised at our reactions to the sharks; we weren’t really scared at all. We saw Galapagos sharks, which grow 10-12 feet. It was just really exciting and a bit surreal to have them come up so close and to look down at my feet and see the deep blue ocean below me. I would totally do it again if I had the chance, and didn’t get seasick. It was the best birthday present to myself yet!

Well, I booked my reservation at North Shore Shark Adventures and I’m dragging 3 (maybe 4) other people into the water with me! This is to celebrate my birthday, as well as my friend’s, who is two days younger than me. Can’t wait!

just be careful if the water’s choppy.

For proud residents and discerning visitors, up-close viewing of great white sharks is one of the Western Cape’s ultimate offerings. Where else can you experience face-to-face encounters with this dramatic yet vulnerable species?

White Shark Projects has all the necessary experience to ensure a satisfactory trip. They are highly regarded for their research and commercial ventures, and log more contact with great whites than anyone else worldwide.

White Shark Projects (WSP) are based in Shark Alley, Kleinbaai – a unique marine environment off the southern Cape coast. So your outing starts early when their luxury bus collects you from Cape Town and takes you to ‘White Shark Lodge’ for a scrumptious continental breakfast.

You’re soon on the high seas in Shark Team, a 36-foot, 4-ton catamaran with all the latest equipment. She was custom-built for shark spotting, so viewing opportunities are excellent. Remember, sharks are surface feeders, so sightings from the deck are just as exciting as cage viewing.

But those who’ve gone into the cage are adamant: ‘Grasp the opportunity,’ they say. ‘These chances don’t come often in life.’ WSP supplies the gear, and experienced Dive Masters help you into the cage. Now you’re sharing the great white’s habitat – cool fresh seas, the real thing. The Dive Master relays vital information, telling you when to go underwater and where to look. Expect some really close encounters!

You spend between four and six hours at sea, and a healthy lunch is provided to see you through. Once back on terra firma, swap stories with the crew over tea and scones – and watch footage of your dive if you’ve arranged it with WSP beforehand.

Then it’s congratulations all round. You’ve earned your White Shark Experience certificate.

Committed
White Shark Projects is committed to education and conservation. They consistently report white shark data to Marine Coastal Management and researchers internationally.
Join them in their passion.

White Shark Projects: bookings@whitesharkprojects.co.za
Book directly and get a 20% discount