Cape Town Shark Cage Diving Adventures

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Cape Town Shark Cage Diving Adventures

The seas around Cape Town contain the third largest population of Great White Sharks in the world. Shark cage diving has become an extremely popular activity for visitors from all over the world.

The Great White Shark found in this area tends to breach far more than its counterparts in other parts of the world. A breach happens when the shark leaps out of the water while hunting its prey. The shark positions itself below the target and then thrusts up to surprise the prey, in the process leaping out of the water as its momentum carries it upwards.

There are incredible photographs taken by world renowned photographer Chris Fallows who was one of the first photographers to capture a shark leaving the water in full breach. He was able to capture this amazing event by making a cut out seal shape using a carpet and trailing it behind a boat.

Gansbaai, about an hours' drive from the city, is a popular base for many cage dives. The little village is a gathering place for shark fanatics because it's the closest harbour to Seal Island where numerous Great Whites hunt Cape Fur seals.

Seal Island is a popular hunting ground for the sharks as this is where the biggest population of Cape Fur seals live. These seals are an important part of the Great White Shark's staple diet. Seals have to pass the so-called ring of death when leaving and returning to the island as the sharks patrol a corridor around the island to feed on any stragglers.

The Great White Shark is an endangered species and it enjoys international protection. For this reason shark cage dive operators are regulated in terms of licensing and must ensure strict codes of conduct and safety.

A normal shark cage diving day starts with breakfast and a briefing of what lies ahead. The group will then take a short boat trip to Seal Island where they will look for a good spot to lower the cage. A trail of scent is laid to attract sharks to the vicinity of the cage and they usually start arriving quickly. They circle the area and many will remain for an hour or more as sharks are naturally curious creatures.

Shark cage diving in Cape Town is truly unique in that visitors have the privilege of seeing this ancient hunter in its natural environment.

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Learn more about Cape Town shark cage diving. Stop by the Kingdom Tours and Transfers website where you can find out all about this and other Cape Town tours packages.