With hundreds of diving companies springing up all over South Africa the diving market has become exceptionally competitive, with each company trying to outdo each other by offering the ‘ultimate white shark diving experience'. However, there is one company which still gets my vote of confidence – the White Shark Diving Co.
Established in 1997, the White Shark Diving Company is a Gansbaai based tour operator offering specialty white shark diving expeditions in the great white shark diving capital of the world. Over the last decade this Cape Town shark cage diving has managed to gain a large band of loyal customers and an excellent reputation as a result. With a range of well-organized tour packages, a burning passion for white shark diving in South Africa and by limiting the number of passengers in an effort to create exclusivity on trips, the White Shark Diving Co. combines all the elements of a successful Cape Town shark cage diving company.
THE DIVE
The actual dive will take place off the coast of Gansbaai, out at Dyer Island, as a result of the large Cape Fur Seal population (30 000) that inhabit the area (great white sharks rely on Cape Fur Seals as a primary source of nutrition). Due to the 30 000 strong Cape Fur Seal population, shark sightings at Dyer Island are almost 100% guaranteed, with some encounters reaching as many as 18 great white sharks (the White Shark Diving Co. has a 98% success rate in terms of sightings on trips). A dive usually last between 15 – 20 minutes, with each diver taking turns in the steel cages. Various factors can affect the dives, including weather and sea conditions, visibility and shark activity, but assuming the conditions are favorable, each diver can expect to make 2 or 3 dives per day. To ensure each diver gets the maximum time in the cage, each trip is limited to +-15 passengers.
HIGH SEASON
The waters of Gansbaai see an influx of game fish from May to October, and an abundance of drowned sea pups from October to December as a result of pupping season, thus creating an ample food supply for prowling great white sharks. As a result of this, the optimal time to embark on a Gansbaai shark cage diving trip is between the months of April and December as sharks tend to be more active during these times.
FACILITIES
In order to ensure their guests receive the highest levels of comfort throughout their trip, the White Shark Diving Co. also offers a wide variety of facilities during the shark diving and viewing expeditions. These facilities include:
Abseiling (a booking 24 hours in advance is essential)
Microlight, fixed wing aircraft and helicopter aerial viewing (a booking 24 hours in advance and price on application is also essential for this)
An exclusive fly-in option for executive travelers to Gansbaai from Cape Town International Airport
Refreshments and a light meal
Hot showers
A curios shop offering a range of wonderful gift vouchers
Internet
To organize your dream shark cage diving expedition, or to find out more about the White Shark Diving Company and the phenomenal Gansbaai shark cage diving trips they offer visit their website (www.sharkcagediving.co.za) or call their bookings office on (+27) 021 671 4777