Once I'd completed my regular morning routine, I took to the road from Hermanus to Gansbaai to meet my operator. After squeezing in some breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, we were briefed about the trip. This also included some interesting information about Great White Sharks which really opens your eyes and stops you from thinking about them in the stereotypical "Jaws" kind of way. Once this was done, we boarded the boat and headed out into the open ocean. The cool sea breeze, gentle waves and humming of the motor settled the nerves, until we reached our destination.

 

 

 

 

Gansbaai is considered the Great White capital of the world and just minutes after arriving, you understand why. Employees on the boat began luring the sharks with a fish oil mix (no feeding of the sharks is done, to ensure that their natural feeding tactics are not disturbed). Moments later, our first shadow appeared. The shadow quickly turned into a fin and then the entire shark was visible. Everyone on board had their eyes glued on the creature as it followed the decoy that is used as a lure.

 

 

 

 

Next up, they readied the cage and told us to suit up in our wetsuits. Being a gentleman, I allowed the ladies to go first... Eventually, I couldn't delay it and I prepared to enter the water. Standing at the edge of the boat, the entrance to the cage suddenly looked very narrow, or maybe it was just the fact that I knew the King of the Ocean was circling below. Time is not freely available at this point though and you are ushered in as quickly as possible so that the top can be closed for safety reasons. I was now inside a cage, surrounded by freezing, shark infested water with adrenaline pumping through my veins. One of the employees on the boat then shouted: "Go under, shark coming on the right!"

 

 

 

 

I dunked my head under the water searching for the shark, but visibility was not the best on that day. With my eyes fixed on the murky water ahead, the shark suddenly emerged and just as quickly, it flashed past the cage. I no longer felt the temperature of the water and excitement soon replaced fear. I eagerly awaited our next opportunity and when I went down a second time, I was in for a real treat. A massive shark had locked its sights on the decoy and was determined to devour it. We watched as it burst towards the target (and the cage), and just before it passed us, it opened its mouth to reveal rows of razor sharp teeth. Its body brushed against the cage, giving it a shake, and then it was gone.

 

 

 

The wind picked up soon after and our trip unfortunately had to be cut short, but I will definitely recommend this adventure as an African safari that everyone should do at least once.

 

 

 

 

Jason Acar is an experienced journalist with an interested in adventure activities. He currently writes for Wydah Tours, a company that provides everything from African safaris to adventure-filled African tours.