Great White Shark Cage Diving

The great white shark has always been the most feared of the ocean predators. Found in the coastal waters of all major oceans, the great white shark is well known for its size with some being recorded at over six metres in length. While many books and movies have depicted great white sharks as ferocious man-eating beasts, humans are not the preferred meal of these awe-inspiring marine creatures.

Seeing the Great White up Close

These days, one of the most sought after extreme adventures offered by many tour operators the world over is to get up close and personal with the great white shark. Usually this is done from the sanctity of a specially designed and constructed diving cage. Those that have done great white shark cage diving have described it as one of the most breath-taking and exhilarating experiences of their lives. The cage, as many of the great white shark cage diving operators ensure, is completely safe, and many tests have been carried out in open water on them.

“The sharks never attack the cage, although they do like to get up close for a look at what it is,” says the White Shark Diving Co, one such tour operator off the coast of Gaansbaai, a small coastal town in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Locations for Great White Shark Cage Diving

Affectionately named Shark Alley, Dyer Island along the coast of South Africa is world famous in the shark cage diving industry for its population of great white sharks. Many tour operators offer the activity there. A short boat trip from the Kleinbaai Harbour will see you pulling on your set suit and preparing to go face to face with one of mankind’s most feared, yet misunderstood predators. Many agree that this is the best location in the world to get the thrilling experience of great white shark cage diving.

In Australia, the Neptune Islands are the premiere destination for shark cage diving expeditions. Departing from the shores of the Spencer Gulf near Port Lincoln in South Australia, these expeditions often include a stop to snorkel with the sea lions, but that doesn’t distract you from the adrenaline-fueled Neptune Islands stop, where all that will be separating you from the jaws of the great white will be the thin bars of the shark cage.

Shark Cage Diving Safety

Shark cages help protect both the divers and sharks from harm. Contrary to popular belief, sharks are not killing machines hell bent on turning you into a mid-afternoon snack nor do they patrol the oceans like a scene from the movie Jaws. However sharks can, and have in the past, mistaken wetsuit clad bodies for a seal or a big fish, so having the protection of the cage is very important.

One of the biggest advantages of shark cages is the ability to make it possible for non-divers to experience the thrill of diving with the great predators of the sea. Great white shark cage diving is one of those things that are on many people’s bucket lists, and well it should be – there are few things more beautiful and exhilarating than a close encounter with one of these great beasts.

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