It’s one thing to see the world but eventually you’ll want to see the wildlife too. And the closer the better.
Let’s start at the spectacular end of the spectrum: the great white shark. It’s two tons of razor-toothed predator that should be familiar to anyone who’s seen Jaws…but if you’re after a more personal encounter, we know just where to look.
Just head down to Gansbaai, South Africa, a fishing village just down the coast from Cape Town. The nearby bay holds three main points of interest: Dyer Island, Geyser Rock, and a shallow channel running between them that happens to have some of the best shark-spotting in the world.
Of course, getting to “Shark Alley” can be a bit tricky if you don’t have a catamaran handy, so we recommend enlisting the professionals at White Shark Ecoventures. They’ll set you up with wetsuits, underwater air supply and, most importantly, an unusually sturdy six-person shark cage to let you see the toothy creatures up close. It’s crafted from reinforced steel and replaced annually, which should reassure you if you’re the nervous type. A two-day tour will give you a full weekend to take in the denizens of Shark Alley, along with accommodations in a harbor-side bed and breakfast. Best of all, the whole thing will only set you back $400, thanks to a remarkably friendly exchange rate.
When you get back on land, we recommend the nearby Whalesong Lodge, which should offer a more placid view of the bay. Nestled on an oceanfront cliff, the hotel will give you a perfect view of migrating whales between July and December, along with an inland view some of South Africa’s most fascinating botanical life.
Which, unless we’re very much mistaken, won’t bite.
White Shark Ecoventures
Tel: +27 21 532 0470
Email: sharkdive@iafrica.com
Web: http://www.white-shark-diving.com
Whalesong Lodge
Tel: +27 28 384 1865
Web: www.whalesonglodge.co.za