If you are a thrill seeker, then you have probably considered going diving with sharks. It is the ultimate thrill, and considered by many to be a real brush with danger.
Even if you aren’t a thrill seeker, you might have considered going diving with sharks, simply because you have an interest in these magnificent creatures.
Sharks are one of the most misunderstood creatures in the world. Ever since the 1975 release of Jaws, they have become one of the most feared creatures in the world.
Despite the fact that most people will not encounter a shark in their lifetime.
There are lots of reasons why you might consider diving with sharks. You might have an interest in these animals, you might want to beat your fear, or you might simply want the thrill of it.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what great white shark cage diving is. So, keep on reading to find out more!
What is Great White Shark Cage Diving?
First things first, let’s take a look at what great white shark cage diving is. Well, as the name suggests, great white shark cage diving is an activity that involves diving with great white sharks.
However, the diving that takes place in this activity is a little different to traditional diving. This is because of the cage.
When you go great white shark cage diving, you are protected by the cage. Instead of diving in the traditional sense, cage diving gives the opportunity to view sharks in their natural habitat.
You do not swim with sharks, instead you are submerged in the waters where they live, protected by the cage around you.
Great white shark cage diving is offered by tour companies that operate in areas where great white sharks reside.
You and your group will go out in a boat to the area where the sharks tend to swim, and then the boat will dock.
You prepare yourself to dive into the water, which will include wearing a wetsuit and a snorkel, and you will be given a health and safety briefing. Then all that is left to do is see the sharks.
Before you are submerged in the water, you will be asked to jump into a viewing cage.
Instead of having traditional thick prison bars, these cages are designed to have openings, giving you the best opportunity to view the sharks as they swim.
The openings are designed to be large so that you can see as much as possible, but they are not large enough for a shark to break through.
The cage will be submerged into the water with you within it. Often, when you first go underwater, you will not see any sharks, you will have to wait for them.
To encourage the sharks to swim in the waters surrounding you, bait will often be thrown into the water a little distance away from you.
But this will depend on whether the sharks are in the area at the time you are submerged.
Once the sharks swim near you, you will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat.
You will usually be able to spend a certain period of time beneath the surface, and then you will be brought to the surface in the cage – completely safe from start to finish.
Is Great White Shark Cage Diving Safe?
We have just touched upon this briefly. But, now that you know what great white shark cage diving is, you probably want to know if it is safe.
In one word, yes, it is. In fact, cage diving is probably the safest way to view sharks out in the wild.
Every year, there are an average of around 85 shark attacks in the world, with around 5 being fatal. None of these recorded shark attacks have occurred when people have been cage diving with the sharks.
The cage provides safety unlike anything else, and it allows you to be up close with the sharks, without having to worry about being injured in the process.
You might get spooked, but you shouldn’t get injured when cage diving with great white sharks.
How Scary is Shark Cage Diving?
Well, the answer to this question will depend on whether, or not, you are scared of sharks. If you are a thrill seeker who doesn’t have a fear of sharks, then it is likely that you will not find the experience scary.
Instead, you will likely just find the experience surreal.
However, as we have mentioned, most people have a fear of sharks. So, for the majority of people, shark cage diving will be scary.
But, it should be considered to be a good fear as you will be safe at all times when you are in the cage.
Why Do People Do Shark Cage Diving?
After reading this, your mind has probably gone one of two ways. You will either be sold on the idea of going great white shark cage diving, and already researching locations near you where you can do this.
Or, you will be completely against the idea, your fear of sharks overriding the appeal of this thrill. So, why do people do shark cage diving?
In terms of the general public, shark cage diving is usually completed for the thrill of it. It is a totally unique experience, and it can be incredibly enjoyable too.
Shark cage diving is usually considered to be a tourist attraction, and it is a very popular one too.
However, this isn’t the only reason why people do this activity. Shark cage diving is also used for scientific research, and also for observational purposes.
Shark numbers are dwindling, and cage diving allows researchers to monitor shark populations.
Summary
In short, great white shark cage diving is an activity that involves being submerged in the sea with great white sharks.
It is incredibly safe as you are within a solid cage at all times, protecting you from the sharks that you are in the water with. It is a totally unique experience, and the perfect activity for thrill seekers.
If you’ve never dived with sharks before, then we urge you to try it. My name is Mikayla Adams and I have swum with sharks six times so far.
The beauty of sharks up close and personal is too precious to put into words - there’s nothing like it that I’ve ever experienced. Not only that, but to be in close proximity to one of the ocean’s most ferocious predators is such a thrill!
