Shark Cage Diving

Diving Holidays

2012-01-16T00:37:00.000-08:00

Get the best dive packages for diving holidays in South Africa or Mozambique. Experience diving as it should be.

You can get the following dive packages and diving holidays:

Great White Shark Dive & Stay

1 Night Stay at the Roundouse + Great White Shark Dive

Location: Gansbaai
Season: All Year
Experience Required: None
From R1700 per person sharing

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SHARK ALLEY EXPRESS

3 fantastic packages:

Location: Gansbaai South Africa
Season: all year
Experience Required: None
Price: from R2250

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Big 2 Combo

Fantastic combination of Shark Cage Diving, Whale Watching and accommodation

Location: Gansbaai
Season: July - December
Experience Required: None
Price: From R2550

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4 Night Shark Alley Express

Location: Gansbaai
Season: All Year
Experience Required: None
Price: From R4100 per person sharing

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Shark Week Durban

Week filled with Sharks with up to 5 different species on any one dive!

Location: Aliwal Shoal
Seasons: All Year
Experience Required: Advanced Diver with min 25 dives
Price: R8,650 per person Sharing

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Source: Shark Bookings

EAH Executive Apartments and Hotels

2012-01-05T01:33:00.000-08:00

Executive Apartments & Hotels is located in the heart of Sandton. This luxury & modern establishment boasts over 160 apartments offering the conveniences of a hotel.

EAH Executive Apartments and Hotels offers the following services:

- Over 300 Fully Serviced Apartments
- Full Hotel Managment Systems
- 24 Hour Security to International Standards
- Broadband Wireless Internet Facilties (Nominal Charge)
- Fully Furnished One, Two or Three Bedroom Apartments
- Complimentary Laundry and Ironing Service
- Satellite Television
- Swimming Pool and Braai Facilties
- Free Secure Undercover Parking
- Room Service Available on Request

Read more

Extreme Scene | Cape Town Shark Cage Diving

2011-12-13T10:21:00.001-08:00

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, our adventure tours provide made to order adrenaline pumping activities to suite every taste. Whether you are looking for an authentic African adventure tour or just an adrenaline overdose, Extreme Scene offers a wide range of Cape Town based adventure tours including such thrills as Skydiving, Paragliding and Shark Cage Diving! Our extensive Cape Town adventure tours will take you to the very edge of nature, from going face to face with the infamous Great White while shark cage diving, to Bush dinners with only the Lions as guests! Whether you are an individual, tour group, bachelor party group or looking for the ultimate corporate incentive/team building in South Africa, let Extreme Scene give you the best adventure tour and shark cage diving experience South Africa has to offer!

Some of the Cape Town adventure tours on offer from this specialist adventure tour operator include:

Cape Town Shark Cage Diving
This is no aquarium!! Your shark cage diving expedition begins with a light breakfast in Gansbaai followed by a brief orientation on the day's activities ahead where you will experience one of the most exhilarating days of your life! You do not need certification for the shark cage diving at Shark Alley. You will be given a full body wetsuit, weight belt, booties and face mask, and the dive master will run through all the procedures of where to hold on inside the cage etc. If you are not up to jumping in the cage you can get a brilliant view of these spectacular predators from the upper deck of the boat. The Skipper will begin "chumming" (the technique used to attract the sharks) and you will have the opportunity to view from the deck or to participate in a shark cage dive as the sharks make their appearance. Time permitting, the boat will visit Geyser Island en route, to view the Seal Colony. All equipment will be supplied. A light lunch and snacks and drinks will be served on the boat.

Game Fishing
The Cape has some of the richest Tuna grounds in the World today. The Yellowfin Tuna found in the Cape waters often top the scales at 80 kgs plus and we catch Longfin of 20 kgs plus. A day out in the deep will long be remembered as it brings you into contact not only with one of the world’s toughest fighting fish but also into a diverse ecosystem.

Best months for Tuna is April, May and early June or October, November and early December with May and November being competition time! from Sep to June, with the best times being at the beginning and end of the season. Tuna fishing takes a full day, 30 miles out to sea, so if you do suffer from seasickness then please ensure you take precautions before coming aboard. So get a crew of fisherman together and head off for some deep sea fishing.

Just make sure you are prepared for the fight of your life if you hook into a tuna or any of the other heavy fighting game fish that live in the deep seas of the Cape Coast.

Quad biking
By far the most exciting thing on 4 wheels, Quad Biking on the sand dunes is a rush like no other. Whether you’re speeding through the fast stretches or navigating the technical sections, Quadding will knock your socks off! All bikes are fully automatic or semi automatic so even the inexperienced can come and join us. Quad Biking on the sand dunes is truly an amazing and unique experience and very popular with our clients.

To find out about these, and other Cape Town adventure tours visit the Extreme Scene website.

Extreme Scene

Extreme Scene | Cape Town Shark Cage Diving

2011-12-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

Scuba Mozambique - Barra 4 Nights 6 Dives

2011-12-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

Barra Dive Packages

4 Nights/6 Dives

Day 1: Flight & Transfer to Barra

Today you will fly from Lanseria to Inhambane. You will be met at the Inhambane airport with a transfer to Barra. Check in at the beach casitas.

After check in pop in at the dive centre to discuss your dive program for the next few days

Rest of the day at your leisure

Day 2 - 4: 2 dives per day

Each morning meeting at the dive centre for your first dive of the day. Breakfast, briefing, kit up and off you go for a dive of fun and exploring the marine rich reefs of Barra, whale sharks, manta rays to name a few! Back from your first dive you will have time to enjoy brunch or a quick snack should you be one of many divers preferring to eat after their dive. Get ready for your second dive of the day and make some bubbles!

Usually dive groups get together at 07:00AM and 14:00PM. Whale shark safaris available at 11:00AM. Times are estimates and will be confirmed each day for the next day’s dive program.

Note the 1st dive of the day could be a double tank dive resulting in 3 dives for the day (depending on dive centre). The second tank will be optional and payable directly at the dive centre.

Rest of the day at your leisure

Day 5: Transfer & Flight to JHB

This is your last morning at Paradise Barra. Mid day you will be transferred to Inhambane airport for your flight to JHB.

Jambo | Cape Town bed and breakfast with a difference

2011-12-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

Jambo (which means hello in Swahili) guesthouse offers luxury Cape Town bed and breakfast accommodation. AA Travel Guides accommodation awards winner for 3 consecutive years. Recently graded 5-Stars by the Tourism Grading Council of SA as well AA quality assured superior accommodation and a member of Portfolio and the Federated Hotel Association of SA.

Imagine relaxing in a hot Jacuzzi spa set in a lush leafy garden. Enjoying drinks, conversation and good music in Barry's English style pub/lounge, followed by an elegant dinner in one of the nearby Waterfront or Green Point trendy restaurants?

The enchanting Garden Suite, also our Honeymoon Suite, opens directly onto the garden and is loved by all. All the bedrooms ,each with it's own unique decor, offer TV with M-net, safe, bar fridge, hairdryer, fan, tea/coffee. Two with fireplaces, but all with electric blankets, feather duvets, heaters and top-of the-range beds. All our bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms with electrically heated towel rails.

Olde worlde charm, tranquil ambience and Barry and Mina's renowned hospitality make for a memorable stay.

Jambo Guest House

White Shark Diving South Africa | Shark Cage Diving

2011-11-24T03:42:00.000-08:00

Your excursion to Geyser and Dyer islands begins at Gansbaai’s picturesque Kleinbaai Harbour which is about a two hours scenic drive from Cape Town and about a forty-five minutes drive from Hermanus.

All dive equipment, towels and snacks are stocked, safety equipment is checked and the boat is fuelled prior to the passengers' arrival.

The excursion takes approximately four and a half hours starting normally at about 8:00am or 11:30am with a light welcome pre trip meal and the briefing before boarding the boat for the 15-20 minute boat drive to the dive site for about four hours at sea, shark cage diving and enjoying the close sightings of the Great Whites. While not in the cage, refreshments are enjoyed while on the viewing deck. The excursion ends with post trip refreshments and viewing of the DVD of the day's trip, with an option to buy the DVD at ZAR 350.00 per DVD.

Shark Cage Diving

Scuba Mozambique | Dive Tours

2011-09-22T05:47:00.001-07:00

Experience the unforgettable thrill of diving beside some of the ocean’s most exquisite creatures with dive travel specialists, Scuba Mozambique. These dive tour operators provide a comprehensive guide to Mozambique’s most exquisite dive destinations, accommodation and dive tours, ensuring travellers can enjoy the very best of this southeast African country without the hassle of planning their itinerary. Dive with incredible whale sharks, relax in traditional Mozambique accommodation and explore various exotic locations with a range of Mozambique dive tours and packages. Visit the Scuba Mozambique website to find out more about these tropical dive tours.

Extreme Scene - Adventure Tours

2011-08-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

Extreme Scene offers adventurers the opportunity to experience one of South Africa’s most popular adventures, shark cage diving. These Cape Town adventure tours specialists will assist you in a face to face meeting with the great white shark, one of the world’s most foreboding predators, in the world’s great white shark capital, Gansbaai. Your Cape Town shark cage diving expedition will include a light breakfast and lunch, a brief orientation on the day’s activities, all the necessary equipment and of course, the underwater adventure of a lifetime. Navigate to the Extreme Scene website to discover more about this incredible adventure tour.

Magical Cape Town Beaches

2011-07-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Cape Town offers some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, with sunny white beaches stretching east to west. It’s no surprise that many of South Africa’s beaches have been awarded the blue flag status, given only to the most perfect beaches of the world. Part of the allure of this area is that this is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Atlantic lies on the west side and is about 4 degrees cooler. Many of the most popular beaches lie on this side of the coast, with many referring to it as South Africa’s “Riviera”. These beaches are lucky to have longer days and protection for the Cape winds, making them a very pleasant experience indeed.

One of the most notable is Clifton which is comprised of 4 beaches all together, it is no doubt one of the most fashionable beaches. The wealthy all aspire to own homes fronting its snow white sands and people fly from all over to see and be seen against the backdrop of the bright blue water, decorated with gleaming white yachts.

The East coast however has the warmer water with many hidden and secluded gems, which tourists travel from far and wide to experience. These are also preferred by local families wanting to steer clear of the crowds along the west coast. Each beach has its own particular charm however, so it’s always best to go to a few and decide which is most suited to your tastes.

If you are thinking about visiting this side of the world you are sure to be left with more than just a glowing tan, but fond memories of this captivating region and the hospitable people which reside in it. There is a wide array of accommodation options you can take advantage of such as Self Catering Accommodation & Holiday Rentals or hotels. There is plenty to choose from and they line the coast, offering a wonderful way to experience the sun and surf offered by Cape Town, South Africa.

The Benguela & Roundhouse Partnership

2011-07-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Benguela Restaurant’s reputation for exceptional service, delicious food and terrific local wines continues to be endorsed by guests at renowned de Kelders bed & breakfast, The Roundhouse. The partnership between this Gansbaai accommodation and highly acclaimed restaurant allows guests to enjoy the fine dining restaurant without the hassle of making reservations or car hire arrangements. Read more about this wonderful service on The Roundhouse’s website.

Information on shark cage and great white shark diving

2010-02-22T05:02:00.001-08:00

We dive out at Dyer Island which is situated off the coast from Kleinbaai (Gansbaai). Between the months of May through October is considered to be the best time to view the Great White Shark, although they are seen throughout the year!

This is due to the 30 000 strong Cape Fur Seal colony that inhabit Dyer Island, which is the Great White predators primary source of nutrition. The Great White Shark is a surface feeder and thus all the activity takes place on or very close to the surface, due to this, the surface viewing from the boat is excellent.

You do not need any diving certification to do the cage dive.
We limit the numbers per trip to exclusively '12' to insure each of our divers receives maximum 'Cage' time! (A larger vessel can be chartered if teams/groups exceed this number)
The ride to the dive sight takes15 - 20 minutes where we anchor for between 4 and 5 hours.
Diving time is unlimited, and for the first dive you stay in the cage for about 30 - 45 minutes
We use a 5 person cage and so there is plenty of time to cage dive. (We can guarantee you at least 2-3 dives, depending on the shark activity for the day).

Scuba Diving With The Great White Sharks

Once the sharks are around, a specially designed, four-man shark cage, that floats right bellow the surface, is lowered into the clear aquamarine waters. Divers with at least snorkel or regulator experience, may enter the cage where they hold on to its inside ring still out of the water, waiting for the shark to approach closer. This part of the cage is still out of the water /40cm/. Only on the dive master 's command they descend. Divers are never more than 1 meter below the surface.

Divers comfortably step into the cage from the side of the boat. Once in the diving cage, they breath through the "hooker system" /air supplied from the surface on the extended hose, instead of BCD and cylinders on the back/, or just taking and holding their breath. According to our experience this is a well-suited method, providing the safest and most comfortable dive.

Shark Cage Diving

The best time of the year to cage dive with white sharks is from April to September. Four to five sharks are usually encountered in a day with as many as 18 sharks having been encountered on some outings. We have a 95% success rate in terms of daily sightings during the high season. Great white sharks prefer a diet of game fish and from May to October the latter are in abundance. Great whites are also known to feed on seals and carrion. October to December, being the pupping season for some 35,000 seals on Geyser Island, results in an ample food supply of drowned pups in the surrounding coastal waters. Although great whites may be sighted during the low season, the abundance of food in the area makes luring to the boat more difficult.

The water temperature ranges between 55° and 65° F and divers take turns in the cage, each staying approximately 15-20 minutes. A diver can expect to make two to three dives per day if good weather, sea conditions, shark activity and visibility prevails. Visibility is between 4m to 6m on average, but may exceed 15m on a clear day.
Sharks may brush the cage, but to date an attack on the cage has not been reported.

Read up on a recent White Shark Diving Review.

Source: Shark cage Diving

Important Facts About Scuba Diving

2009-10-05T02:21:00.000-07:00

There are a number of important facts about scuba diving that you need to know. The first one is that you need to have a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. These high pressure tanks that are strapped to the back of the diver, provide air to the diver that is regulated through a breathing device. This lets the diver go very deep in the water without worrying about coming up for oxygen.

Next of the facts about scuba diving is that you need specific diving apparel to protect your body and allow you to swim easily. Such apparel includes wetsuits, gloves, hoods, computer watch, etc. The next fact about scuba diving is that nearly anyone can be certified for scuba diving. More than one million people get certified for scuba diving each year. As long as you can put on a heavy tank filled with compressed and dive down deep, you can become certified. The thing that scares most people away from scuba diving is that breathing through the rubber tube connected to the air tank is the only way to stay alive that deep in the water. People have a fear that something will go wrong, but it is rare that something does.

The next of the facts about scuba diving is that the diver must make a decision on what type of underwater adventure would be preferred. You could dive in warm or cold water, or explore locations of shipwrecks. If you are on a cruise or in other specific instances, you may not have to get certified before going scuba diving. In cruises to the Caribbean, Acapulco, and the Florida Keys, you can get a one day crash course on scuba diving before you go exploring.

If you want to become a serious diver, you will need to know the mental and physical facts about scuba diving before pursuing the sport. Physically, you will need to look at your swimming, breathing, and equalizing abilities. You need to be able to swim well, not only for exploring, but also in case of an emergency where you need to be rescued.

Breathing-wise, you need to be able to breath solely through your mouth. This is one of the most important facts about scuba diving, because otherwise you won't be able to stay under water. When it comes to equalizing, you need to know how to "pop" your ears. When you go deep in the water, there is a lot of pressure that builds up in the ears, and so you must "pop" your ears in order to equalize the pressure. To do this correctly, you will need to consult your scuba instructor or a doctor.

The last of the facts about scuba diving is knowing whether you have any physical conditions that might limit your ability to scuba dive. Such conditions include being overweight, fatigued, having diabetes, heart conditions, or any other ailments, and prone to drowning. It is always a good idea to get a physical done by a doctor before scuba diving.
For information on purchasing scuba diving apparel and equipment or finding scuba diving lessons, start searching online. You are sure to find everything you need.

Source: Article Base
Shark Cage diving Cape Town

South African Scuba Dive - Great White Shark Cage Diving

2009-09-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

There are two areas where Great White diving is done, Gansbaai and Mosselbaai. Both these destinations can be reached with a scenery drive from Cape Town International Airport. Below is some information on these areas and Great White Cage diving. Also some information on other diving sites.

Daily shark diving/sighting tours (weather permitting) are done off Gansbaai, a mere stone-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. Approx. 12km offshore from Gansbaai (2hrs drive from Cape Town) there are two islands situated next to each other. Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high. Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, Jackass penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted.

Gansbaai is little holiday and fishing village situated a 160km from Cape Town. The area has several attractions for the nature lover with whale watching being the most popular. Accommodation may be taken close by at a very nice chalets with small harbour and sea views offering excellent meals. The shark dives are launched from the neighboring Kleinbaai. Cage diving is strictly regulated by the authorities and conducted in an ethical way in accordance with international standards. It is bsolutely safe and you need not have any diving experience at all, only a short course on safety and the use of the equipment.

On a typical day we meet the skipper early in the morning and then head out about 9 am and return about 3 pm - depending on the conditions, wind direction and currents you proceed to one of numerous holes, put down anchor and set out the bait. Only bait that forms part of the animal's natural diet is used.

We then wait for the Great Whites to find us. This can take anything from minutes to several hours. In the meantime every one is briefed on the procedures, and the cage is put into the water. The cage is securely attached to a platform on the back of the boat and the top of the cage floats about 23cm above the water. It is constructed of steel bars and is closed off at the top by means of a gate.

Once the first shark is spotted the bait lines are drawn in towards the boat so that everybody has the opportunity to view and admire this magnificent predator. The first cage renters the water and the lines are drawn slowly towards the cage to lure the shark. This is an emotional and heart stopping experience.

It must be remembered that these are wild animals, and no guarantees can be given that they will be sighted on a particular day. It is therefore advisable to budget for at least two consecutive days diving. Statistics kept of sightings over the last five years in Mosselbaai help to pick the best possible time of the year being April to July and September to November. In late Aug and early September 2004 there is a lot of shark activity, they are seeing 9 – 15 sharks a day.

In Gansbaai the best time of the year is in our winter season (April - September), when the sharks are particularly active in their feeding patterns (80-99%). Even though you still have a chance of seeing the sharks during the other months (October - February), their feeding patterns are different and they tend to have inconsistent feeding behaviour by feeding actively the one day and less active on other day's. However, due to breeding season amongst the seals on Dyer Island during the months November to January natural feeding predations are often seen in the area. Sighting rate in the low season is approx. 60%.

Source: Ezine Articles
Shark Cage diving Cape Town

Shark Cage-diving

2009-07-14T02:16:00.000-07:00

Ecotourism might well be a way of saving some of the sharks. If living animals are more valuable to locals than dead ones, they might survive.

Jaws - What Great White Sharks Eat

The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) was made famous by Steven Spielberg's film ‘Jaws’, where it is portrayed as a rather malevolent creature intent on eating humans. This is probably not true, and it is thought that Great Whites bite humans ‘by mistake’ more often than not. Their preferred prey (seals and large fish) have much more fat than the average human swimmer, and it has even been suggested that they cannot easily digest humans!

The normal hunting strategy of the Great White Shark is to attack once, and then wait around until the prey becomes a bit weaker before going in for a meal. Humans usually manage to get out of the water before the final stage, and many survive. Biologist Douglas Long has been quoted as saying that ‘more people are killed in the U.S. each year by dogs than have been killed by great white sharks in the last 100 years’. (This does not help if you are one of the few!).

Intelligence of Great White Sharks

All predators have complex behaviour, and many seem to have some sort of intelligence. Great Whites are quite social (for sharks) and are very curious. They are one of the very few species of shark that will ‘spy-hop’ to look around. This behaviour lifts the head out of the water and is something that Killer Whales also do. Since Great Whites rarely survive long in captivity there have been few studies of their mental capacities, but observation in the wild seem to suggest that they might be one of the few animals that will ‘play’ – by dragging bits of seaweed along behind themselves.

Great White Sharks' Enemies

Only Humans and Killer Whales pose any real threat to Great White Sharks, and, of course, other Great Whites! While they can be social at times, they can also be cannibals. Killer Whales rarely attack them, but humans often do – a set of jaws can be worth as much as £20,000, and the fins are quite valuable too. Great Whites will eat Dolphins, but Dolphins have also been reported as ‘mobbing’ Great Whites on occasion, and even killing them with repeated ramming.

Cage-diving

Rather like whale watching, cage-diving attracts enthusiasts. Here divers go down inside robust metal cages and sharks are lured to the scene. This form of ecotourism gives the diver/tourists an immense adrenaline rush, and incidentally makes shark conservation worthwhile. Jaws might be worth £20,000, but a single boat can make as much every day there are paying tourists.

Shark Conservation

Many species of shark are endangered. Maybe ecotourism can help by making the living animal more valuable to local fishermen than the fins or teeth? When a single species, such as the Great White is actively conserved huge numbers of other species, and the habitat, are also saved. So, if you enjoy having yourself scared almost-to-death, then ‘go for it’ – you might be helping preserve one of nature’s most misunderstood predators.

Source: Suite101.com
Shark Cage diving Cape Town

Horror Shark Attacks

2009-06-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

Close on 73 million sharks are murdered each year, and this is a conservative claim. If the wholesale slaughter of these magnificently adapted creatures is not stopped with immediate effect, sharks may well join the ranks of the dodo, the Tasmanian wolf and the quagga.

Conservation bodies are struggling to get the attention of world governments in an effort to regulate shark fisheries but the fact that sharks have a poor public image in conjunction with the low economic viability of these fisheries has made this task near to impossible.

7.8 million sharks killed off the Southern African coast alone

Recent literature published in the National Geographic suggests that 7.8 million sharks are killed off the Southern African coast alone each year, and largely by mistake. Hooks intended for other maritime creatures often find sharks instead and although recreational fishermen are slowly embracing a ‘catch and release’ method, many opt to remove the shark from the planet permanently.

The insatiable Asian appetite for shark fin soup and other mythical delicacies has elevated the status of at least 1/5 of all shark species to the seriously endangered list but it is not only the rampant killing that is so disturbing, it is the unconscionable cruelty that shows a total lack of respect for the species.

Unconscionable cruelty

The fin is generally removed with a hot metal blade but instead of putting the critically maimed creature out of its misery, it is simply tossed back into the water to die a slow and painful death. The immobile victim will either suffocate or fall prey to other ocean going predators.

It is not only the east that is responsible for the unprecedented depletion of shark stocks throughout the world

In Australia, the main ingredient of fish and chips is shark, disguised as ‘flake'.

In India, baby sharks are considered a rare delicacy and are the main component of the popular dish ‘sora puttu’.

In Iceland, the national dish is ‘hakarl’ or fermented shark.

Late maturation increases vulnerability

What makes the shark particularly vulnerable to extinction is the fact that they mature later than other animals and consequently cannot breed rapidly enough to sustain their populations. It has been documented that some species have declined by over 90% in the past 30 years but an overall 70% decline would not be out of the ballpark.

The Great white shark, vilified in the cult movie ‘Jaws’, has made it onto a rather unenviable list, that of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species or C.I.T.E.S Appendix II list of endangered species but fortunately the sheer majesty and brute power of these sharks has won them a few friends.

Shark cage diving leads to a better understanding

Shark cage diving off the coast of Cape Town, for instance, has had a positive impact on the future of these beasts. By observing them closely in their natural habitat, a lot has been learnt of these demonized creatures of the deep. Finally some of the myths that have led to the brutal killing of this magnificent creature have been laid to rest but the industry as a whole needs to be effectively regulated if we are to protect the dwindling number of sharks in our waters.

Source: Article Base
Shark Cage diving Cape Town