Number 24 on the top 100 crazy things to do before you die is to do cage diving with great white sharks, bizarrely divers with little or no prior scuba experience are allowed to cage dive with great white sharks. Great whites are primarily surface feeders so the dive depth is relatively shallow, lets have a look at the best places to cage dive with great white sharks.
Dyer Island, South Africa
Located a short 15 minute boat ride from mainland South Africa, Dyer Island is home to over 60,000 Cape Fur Seals, a natural food source for the Great White Sharks that inhabit this area. Sharks can be sighted year round here, though the sightings are more frequent May through to August. Famously known as ‘shark alley’ the area between Dyer Island and Geyser rock contains the highest concentration of Great White Sharks in the world & is one of the few places to cage dive with Great Whites accessible from the mainland.
Cage sizes can accomodate up to 8 people making this a fun family outing. The only downside to this destination is the popularity, thousands of tourists flock to the region each year to experience the cage diving.
Practical Information
When to visit: year round cage diving is offered, though the best time is May – August
Suitability: All divers, not prior experience or certification necessary
Non diving activities: Orca whales and Whaleshark watching
Operators: White Shark Diving Company
Farallon Islands, California
The Farallon islands are a group of islands and sea stacks located off the coast of San Fransisco California. The Elephant Seal population provides an ample food source for the Great White Sharks that come to feed here. Those lucky enough to witness a 300 pound Elephant Seal being ripped apart by a Great White a get to be one of a small number of people who can claim to have witnessed this spectacle at first hand. Certainly not one for the faint hearted. A highlight of the trip is the 24 mile boat ride which takes guests under the iconic Golden Gate bridge, an iconic landmark for an iconic trip. Famous for some of the oldest Great White Sharks visiting these waters.
Practical Information
When to visit: Season runs from September through to November
Suitability: All divers, not prior experience or certification necessary
Non diving activities: San Francisco city has it all!
Operators: Great White Adventures
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
Perhaps more recently the best places to cage dive with great white sharks as sightings have been more reliable in recent years. Though the 150 mile one way trip and the need to live on board any boats heading to Guadalupe will put off all but the most intrepid travellers or those looking for completely unique experiences. Trips depart from either Ensenada in Mexico or from San Diego in the US. Trips are typically 7-8 nights taking in about 20 dives on full board basis.
Check out this video of what you can see cage diving in Guadalupe
Practical Information
When to visit: July to November
Suitability: Suitable for all levels however some of the trips offer non cage diving en route
Non diving activities: None – liveaboard only destination
Operators: Agressor Fleet
Neptune Islands, South Australia
Located 17 miles off the Australian coastline, the population of New Zealand Fur Seals & Australian Sea Lions, supports a migratory population of Great White Sharks which visit these islands to feed. Male Great White Sharks up to 5 metres ( 15 feet) in length are present year round. Though the prime time is April – August when the seal pups born during December – January enter the water and the larger female Great Whites come to feed. Some as large as 6 metres long (18 feet). That extra metre difference to their male counterparts can almost double the sharks physical body weight.
Downside currently only one company licensed to operate trips which range from 2-5 nights.
Practical Information
When to visit: All year – best time April – August
Suitability: Suitable for all levels
Non diving activities: Explore Adelaide and surrounding Kangaroo island
Operators: Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions
We hope you enjoyed this article, please comment below if you have experience Great White cage diving in any of these destinations.
Check out the other 99 things to do before you die on the ultimate bucket list 100 crazy things to do before you die.
