Shark Cave Diving

The clouds seemed ommonously grey and foreboding as we made our way from Cape Town over the Sir Lowry Pass en route to Hermanus and Gansbaai. This is the undisputed capital of Great White Shark Cage Diving and is the spot chosen by film makers from across the world to film these awesone fish.

It was still overcast and chilly when we arrived at the offices of Marine Dynamics in the centre of the village of Kleinbaai, in front to the large jetty, packed with its boats and viewing cages. We were logged in on the system and one of the crew assessed our size for wetsuits that are provided on the boat.

We had been asked to arrive for 8am and whilst we waited to depart, we were then invited to help ourselves to the buffet breakfast of scrambled eggs, rolls, cereals and hot tea and coffee. Whilst we finished our breakfast we were given a safety briefing and information about what would happen through the day.

It was time to leave and as we passed through the courtyard we were issued with thick waterproof jackets and a life jacket. We walked the 100 metres down the road to the jetty where our 40ft boat was launched and ready for boarding. This tailor made boat had an upper and lower deck, 2 toilets, a small cabin and most importantly a large cage on the back. The boat is designed to cater for 40 people and the purpose built cage takes 8 people at a time.

It was roughly 10 minutes before we were anchored and the bags containing out wetsuits and a towel were handed out. They had an excellent system in place and it took just a few minutes before all 32 of us on board were suited up and waiting anxiously. Already the crew had seen a shark circling, and the cage was lowered over the side.

The cage floats on the surface of the water and is tethered at all times to the side of the boat. Our group was the first in, as we were about to get into the cage we were issued with a mask and a weight belt to sling over our shoulder. We then climbed a couple of steps down the ladder and into the cage.

It is not necessary to be a qualified diver to cage dive, nor do you use a snorkel, you simply hold your breath and duck down on the command. Inside the cage there are various bars and it is possible to hook your feet under a lower bar to keep yourself under water. This is enough for you to see the sharks as they glide by.

We were lucky, we saw 6 different Great Whites, and one was a mammoth 5 metre + in length. The crew are constantly recording the sharks for a scientific study and are familiar with this particular female who had returned for a second year to the area. She was certainly the boss, and the smaller 3 and 4 metre sharks kept their distance.

We enjoyed about 25 minutes in the cage before we had to come out and let the next group in. You can decide if you want to change immediately or keep your wet suit on in case there is an opportunity to go into the cage again. I decided to change, and avail myself of the snacks and drinks that were supplied in the cabin. I climbed onto the top deck and was able to sit and watch the excitement from above, seeing the sharks circling the baot and the cage!

Each group had the same amount of time in the cage and we were offered a second ‘dive’, which some people did. My group were getting a little seasick, and one was huddled at the front of the boat, looking worse for wear! It was with some relief (for her) that we were back on dry land about 10 minutes after the cage was loaded back onto the back of the boat.

Back at the offices we were offered the chance of a hot shower, soup and sandwiches and a chance to view a DVD of the day, which was available to buy. We then made our way, smelling distinctly fishy, back to our car for the 2 hour drive back to Cape Town. Everyone thought it was well organised, and really enjoyed the experience, the whole group said they would be back again!