Today's adventure took us to Gansbaai, for the opportunity to swim face to face with Great White Sharks. Shark cage diving in Gansbaai has become a main tourist destination, attracting celebrity clients such as Matt Damon, Blake Lively and Leonardo Decaprio. It was exciting to see pictures of them on the same boat that we were soon to board.
Our guides were adamant about being the first ones on the ocean to ensure plenty of shark activity. Unfortunately, this meant a 3:45 am wake up call and a 4:15 am departure from the Kimberly House…thankfully they had coffee awaiting our arrival.
Needless to say, we were indeed the first ones out on the ocean, just as the sun was beginning to rise. After 20 minutes of trying to get in a wetsuit (which was a workout in itself) six of us climbed into the shark cage. In an effort to attract the sharks, what can only be described as rotting-fish-mush was tossed into the ocean… The smell was horrific, and I was glad to get under the water.
With only a 2 meter underwater visibility range, 12 foot Great White Sharks would pop up right in front of your face with absolutely no warning. Understandably so, I made sure to keep my arms and legs inside the cage AT ALL TIMES.
Unlike their portrayal in the movies, the Great White Sharks were surprisingly gentle and graceful, reminding me more of a whale than the mindless killing machine they are thought to be. In all honesty, I think I am more scared of Bravo (our tasmanian-devil dog) than of the sharks.
Unfortunately, Great White Sharks will soon be extinct. Due to their incredible value on the black market, there are less than 1,000 Great White Sharks alive today. It was a sad realization that future generations will not have an opportunity to experience what I have today.
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