Shark Cage Diving from Hermanus |
A mere 30 minute drive from Hemanus lies Gaansbaai, one of the world's best locations for shark cage diving and one of the few places that Great White sharks occur in such large numbers.
Shark Alley, the channel between Geyser Rock and Dyer Island, is home to a population of more than 40 000 Cape Fur seals. This makes it an ideal hunting ground for the Great White, which in turn makes Shark Alley an ideal location for shark cage diving and even surface viewing.
Some interesting facts about the Great White Shark: |
- The Great White Shark is a protected species in South Africa.
- They are the largest predatory fish in the world.
- Their diet includes other sharks and marine mammals. Cape Fur seals are the primary food source in the Dyer Island area.
- The average Great White is between 3 and 5 metres in length. Growing at about 25-30 cm per year, they can reach 7 metres.
- The scientific name for the Great White is Carcharodon carcharias
See White Sharks in action |
The winter period, from May to September, provides the best time to view the Great White Shark. Early morning trips occasionally give the lucky shark viewer the chance to see the White Shark's hunting prowess in action. These magnificent beasts will breach, their huge bodies clearing the water, as they attack their prey from below.
