Daring Thrill: Submersing with Monstrous Great White Sharks Underwater
Taking the Plunge with Great Whites in Gansbaai, South Africa
Witnessing a colossal great white shark bearing down on me, those black, dead-eyed orbs only inches away from my haggard face, had my heart racing faster than a Hotwheel on an incline plane! But, thankfully, the cage held strong, and I escaped my demise! I was taking part in a shark cage diving experience in South Africa, and it was a thrill ride I'll never forget!
Up-close encounters with the ocean's most terrifying hunters can be daunting; especially when you've grown up with a healthy dose of Discovery Channel's Shark Week. Yet, I embraced the excitement, eager to live out a dream I thought I'd only watch on my TV.
Gansbaai, a quaint coastal town on South Africa's eastern border, boasts one of the highest concentrations of great whites in the world. A marine sanctuary known as Shark Alley, located just off its coast, plays host to these prehistoric beasts. It's a bucket list item that's hard to beat!
The Majestic Great Whites
Often shrouded in misconceptions, great white sharks have gained a fearsome reputation. Once reaching lengths of up to 7 meters and tipping the scales at over 3,000 kg, these burly beasts can reduce mealtime into a gruesome horror sharknado. But don't let appearances deceive you!
Great whites are ambush predators, lurking silently beneath, waiting to pounce on their delectably unsuspecting prey. With a top speed of 35 mph, they have the agility of a cheetah and the terrifying appeal of a Godzilla. Their armaments include powerful jaws equipped with hundreds of razor-like serrated teeth, ensuring a swift, messy end for their dinner.
But what sets these sharks apart from their cousins is the sinister tales their history recounts. Are these bloodthirsty monsters the ocean's boogeymen?
The Deep Sea Encounter
After fueling up on a hefty breakfast, and a quick rundown of safety practices, we boarded our vessel - the beautifully custom-designed Marine Dynamics' Slashfin. The 30-minute journey to prime shark territory was a serene respite from the chaos to come.
Upon arrival, we geared up in our wet suits and weight belts, preparing to face the beast beneath. The ageless wooden shark cage was secured to the boat as we eagerly awaited our encounter.
The cage does not submerge entirely, offering only hand and foot rails for our safety. Divorced of snorkels, we gripped our masks as the cage descended into the icy depths below. Our adrenaline levels surged, palpably in the air, as we awaited our aquatic rendezvous.
Life on the Wild Side
We were not disappointed! Over the course of our dive, we witnessed 16 great whites, with some stretching over 5 meters, swim by us time and time again. Our shark whisperers used a variety of techniques to lure these predators to our cage.
First, they "chummed" the waters with a concoction of fish blood and guts, a scent that sharks can locate from miles away. They then threw in a line with fish heads and another adorned with a wooden seal decoy to draw the sharks nearer and grant us an awe-inspiring close-up.
Sometimes the sharks would collide with the cage, but rest assured, they meant our cage no harm. The sudden onslaught was merely a cue that they couldn't see us beneath the water's surface as their eyes would roll into the back of their heads for protection during an attack.
Check out the video below to see a shark charge into my camera!
Shark Attack Statistics and Fear
Sharks should not be your biggest fear. Here's a smorgasbord of statistics to put things in perspective:
- The odds of you dying from a dog attack are higher than a shark attack.
- Your chances of dying from a lightning strike or a bees or wasps' sting also edge out the prospect of a shark attack.
- There's an increased probability of you being executed for a crime, bitten by another human, or tripping and falling at home.
- Hunting accidents and gunfire fatalities are also more likely than a shark encounter.
Indeed, we humans have a deep-rooted fear of sharks, often criticized as unjustified. Let's put it this way, great whites are more misunderstood than Rasputin at a royal ball.
When there's a sudden spike in attacks, politicians are compelled to act. This response echos the heightened protocols in the airline industry, where preventative measures are often thought to increase safety despite lacking evidence. Culling great whites is not the answer as they are a critically endangered species on the brink of extinction due to human greed and demand for shark fin soup.
Feeding Frenzy Controversy
Contrary to popular belief, chum is not food for sharks. It merely acts as a scent to lure them closer. When sharks are fed directly, like in my cage-less Bull Shark diving adventure in Fiji, there's no evidence to suggest it leads to human attacks. In fact, this specific company has been feeding bull and tiger sharks for a decade without observing an increase in attacks around the island.
Shark cage diving tours also contribute financially to research and conservation efforts, funding initiatives that might otherwise languish in obscurity. This combination of education, adventure, and conservation bolsters public appreciation for great white sharks, working toward their protection.
On our cage diving trip, we were accompanied by a marine biologist diligently gathering data on the sharks we encountered to further expand our understanding of their habitats and behavior. The decline in the number and size of great whites frequenting Shark Alley demands our attention and prompt action.
Diving Without a Cage?
If you're an advanced swimmer seeking a truly heart-pounding, off-the-grid experience, there's a place in South Africa where you can dive without a protective cage. Protea Banks is teeming with a variety of shark species, including tiger sharks, and offers a chance to dive alongside them without a cage.
It's a rare opportunity to swim with giant tiger sharks that may reach lengths of 12 feet.
Defeat Your Aquaphobia
The greatest way to combat your unwarranted phobia of sharks? Plunge into the deep and make friends with your fear! Take a leap of faith, and get closer to these magnificent creatures while learning about their fascinating existence firsthand, from the very scientists who study them every day.
As Tracy Morgan so wisely said, "live every week like it's Shark Week"!
But remain skeptical, and brace yourself against the media hype and Hollywood spin on sharks.
Shark cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa transcends mere adventure; it's an educational trek that sheds light on these beautiful creatures, fostering a greater appreciation for their vital role in our world. Let us strive to preserve these awe-inspiring creatures, before it's too late. ★
Watch Video: Face-Off with Great White Shark!
(Click to watch the Ultimate Shark Encounter: Great White Shark Cage Dive on YouTube)
Adventure-travel enthusiasts seeking a unique and exhilarating experience can venture to Protea Banks in South Africa, where they can travel without a protective cage to swim alongside tiger sharks, reaching lengths of 12 feet.
Unlocking the lifestyle of an ocean explorer, daredevils can challenge their aquaphobia and engage in face-to-fin encounters that foster a deeper understanding of these magnificent creatures, making them true shark advocates on land and at sea.
