Offshore Fishing
A Great White Shark Cage Diving Tour Along The South Africa Coast When mentioning the word Great White Shark or cage diving to an acquaintance the reaction caused is most likely to be one of fear and terror. With thanks to the Film Jaws depicting sharks as ruthless hunters preying deliberately on humans has given the creatures a nasty reputation for attacks especially in the shores off South Africa. However it is now widely believed that these creatures are hugely misunderstood. Sharks rarely attack humans and do not like the taste of human flesh. Most attacks are taste testing (how the shark tells if the prey is eatable or not usually followed by the shark releasing the prey if human) and a case of mistaken identity as humans seated on surf boards carry the appearance of turtles or seals from below. The initial attack of a shark is rarely fatal especially on humans. The taste test causes injury but the shark moves on after realising that the human is not a seal or turtle. If fatalities do occur it is usually from a prolonged injury such as loss of blood or infection.
Now that sharks are not the evil beasts that the past has labelled them these majestic creatures are a sight to be seen. Shark cage diving has become a thriving industry in South Africa as the waters surrounding the country are all spotting sites for sharks. People want to experience sharks in their natural habitat whilst ensuring that they are not going to be part of the taste test! Shark cage diving has a method where a boat sails out into the ocean away from the shore and releases chum (bait which is a mixture of fish and other objects) to attract sharks. Once spotted a cage is lowered into the water with a diver inside so they can view the sharks from beneath the surface. South Africa has many coastal towns and cities offering shark cage diving and Cape Town is an ideal place to start a tour through the hotspots of the coast.
Cape Town is situated on the West coast of the Western Cape and has the incredible Seal Island where great white sharks breach the surface of the water (the only location in the world where sharks do this whilst hunting). The city is almost entirely surrounded by water as it is situated on a peninsula. There are many charters offering day trips starting early and returning in the late afternoon for lunch. The tours are all handles by professionals and the best tours to choose are the ones which take smaller groups allowing more time in the water for each individual. The dives take place in False Bay predominantly. Cape Town also offers a lot of entertainment in terms of casinos theatres a theme park beautiful beaches historical sites and amazing scenery perfect to explore on hikes. Accommodation ranges from exclusive five star hotels to comfortable backpackers.
After spending two days and nights in Cape Town the tour moves on to Gordons Bay a bustling seaside town on the edge of the Wine Route. The town has historic charm and a busy waterfront as well as stunning beaches and scenery. The town is situated in False Bay and close to Seal Island an ideal spot for shark sightings. There are many companies offering cage diving in Gordons Bay and once again it is suggested to choose a charter who takes small groups diving so as to maximise potential time in the water. The accommodation available in Gordons Bay is hotels B&Bs guesthouses self catering and guest farms. Other activities include lazing on Bikini Beach various water sports in the sea and visiting the seafood restaurants in the harbour.
After two days in Gordons Bay the tour heads to Hermanus a seaside town famous for the whale watching season as Southern Right Whales come closer to shore to mate and calve during spring. Hermanus has many charters offering shark cage diving and as the town is relatively close to Dyer Island (where the sea between Geyser Rock and the island is known as shark alley for good reason!) Other activities in Hermanus include whale watching horse riding vineyards and hiking. The accommodation available has a vast range from hotels and resorts to backpackers and guesthouses.
The tour moves on to Mossel Bay after two days and nights in Hermanus. Mossel Bay is a wonderful seaside town in the garden route of the Western Cape. There is one tour offering shark cage diving incorporating Seal Island (a different one to the Seal Island in False Bay). Other attractions in Mossel Bay include swimming nature reserves shopping malls quad biking bungee jumping and culture and art museums. The accommodation available is a wide range from luxury hotels to economical backpackers.
Port Elizabeth is the next destination on the tour after two days and nights in Mossel Bay. Port Elizabeth is a city on the coast of the warm Indian Ocean and although there are no shark cage diving facilities offered the city has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment including modern shopping malls historical land marks water sports arts culture and wildlife. The available accommodation includes hotels resorts guesthouses game lodges guest farms and much more After two days in Port Elizabeth the tour heads to Margate a sea side town situated on the South Coast of Kwa ZuluNatal. There is one charter available to take visitors on a cage diving adventure. The sea in Margate is warm and pleasant and the town offers whale watching beautiful beaches golf offshore and game fishing and abseiling. The accommodation available is even more varied than in a city! Hotels game farms game lodges campsites B&Bs self catering and resorts to name a few! After two days and nights in Margate the tour arrives at its final destination the coastal paradise of Durban.
Durban is a city situated on what is known as the Sunshine Coast. There are no shark cage diving facilities but the city is full of activities to participate in such as the theatre swimming scuba diving one of the largest shopping malls in the Southern Hemisphere offshore fishing and many water sports. The Drakensberg Mountains are not far away for fantastic hikes and views. Durban also has Ushaka Marine World a hive of entertainment in terms of shops restaurants an aquarium and a waterslide park. Sun Coast Casino has a first rate casino plus many shops and restaurants for entertainment. After two days and nights in Durban the tour comes to the 14th day and the end of an adventure and informative tour through the coastal areas of South Africa.
Toureagle is a revolutionary travel search portal offering an in depth road trip planner that enables travellers to choose their accommodation and research tours themselves on the site including exploring the main attractions of South Africa. Many activities are available on the trips such as shark cage diving
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