South African Shark Cage Diving Tours, Cape town

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Downhill Adventures

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Downhill Adventures - Adventure Activities - Shark Cage Diving in Cape Town, South Africa

	Downhill Adventures (established in 1995) offers daily shark diving & sighting tours off Gansbaai, a mere stone-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high. A colony of approximately 40000 Cape Fur Seals inhabits the smaller Island (Geyser Rock). Other wildlife species such as Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African Penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted. Once anchored in the channel, we make use of a securely designed 6-man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. Experienced divers are able to dive on scuba while inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Snorkeling is equally comfortable and safe. Surface viewing White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat. Our shark handlers are trained to bring the sharks close-up against the side of the boat, with the head and the jaws clearly visible. So, those not wanting to go in the cage will still get to see these amazing creatures up close. Easy to use. The good thing about the diving cage is that you don't need to know how to scuba dive, snorkeling will do for most dives (not in False Bay). Shark cages have tubes going up to the boat, so divers simply suck on the tube to breathe fresh air. Video and DVD footage of your adventure Capture this once-in-a-lifetime personal experience on film and take it home to show to your friends and family. We offer the services of a professional underwater videographer who is highly experienced in this field. Your personal experience will be captured on a high quality video / DVD (above and underwater) and a copy will be made available to you after the tour at a minimal cost.

Shark Cage Diving Adventures

Downhill Adventures Provides
• Transportation to Gansbaai	• Expert Shark Guide
• Equipment for dives	• Meals & Refreshments
You will Need To Bring
• Sun Hat or Cap	• Towel & Bathing Costume
• Waterproof Sunglasses	• Sense of Adventure

Full Day Shark Cage Diving Adventure

Costs:	R 1 200 per person (Excludes Transportation - additional R300 for 2hour ride each way in luxury mini bus)
Days:	Everyday - In season (weather permitting)
Times:	Departure Time:5 - 9h30 am / Return Time: 4 - 6 pm
Trip Includes	boat ride, diving / snorkeling equipment, light breakfast & lunch, expert guides & crew

Shark Diving- Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Transportation to the location from Cape Town & surrounds
We utilise 2 luxurious Mercedes Sprinter shuttle busses (15 and 21 seater), fully equipped with air-conditioning, PA system and CD player. We have more than adequate Insurance Cover which includes; R20 million Public Liability, R20 million Passenger Liability on each bus, R5 million Passenger liability on our boat and Personal Accident Insurance on all our bus drivers.
We hold valid Road Carrier Permits on our buses, and our drivers are all Public Drivers Permit holders.

Shark Diving- Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Spending Time With the Great White Sharks Dives usually last 10-15 minutes and if the weather is good you can get a several dives in per day. Trips often last 4-5 hours with the first hour spent finding the sharks and attracting them to the boat with bait. Who Can Dive With Great White Sharks? Some diving operators require a basic level of diving proficiency while others don't. The dive master on board the boat will quickly let you know whether you can get in the cage or not. Most dives don't actually require diving per se, snorkeling is the way to go. Viewing Great White Sharks For those who aren't keen on smelling a shark's breath, but are still interested in seeing them, there are plenty of shark viewing opportunities on the boat. There are special platforms you can sit on that provide excellent photo opportunities of the sharks especially as the crew are "chumming" and "baiting" them. Since Great White Sharks are surface feeders you can get a good look at the 16 rows of teeth. (info:about.com). Best Time to Dive with Great White Sharks Winter is the best time to dive with sharks from May to October. Although getting to see the sharks is not guaranteed, the success rate is very high, around 95%. The weather can be unpredictable though in winter with gales and cold spells so its best to book a tour that lasts a few days just in case the weather doesn't allow for a dive. The sharks are still around during the summer months but not in such dense numbers. (info:about.com). Attracting the sharks and Chumming We don’t chum any more, its now a highly regulated system- each boat is allowed only 25Kg of bait- normally around 15 large tuna heads which they throw on ropes to attract the sharks. We try not to let them take the bait as once its all used up, the boat has to return. Certification and Operator Code of Conduct We are in possession of a valid White Shark Cage Diving Operators Permit (issued by the South African Government), enabling us to work within the Dyer Island nature reserve area (copy of permit available upon request). Only long-standing operators who comply with certain safety regulations and code of conduct are entitled to this permit. All our facilities are closely inspected by authorities on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our guests. Crew Each crewmember is highly qualified in his/her specific field and together have more than 15 years experience working with great white sharks. Crew qualifications consist of; A1 (1) commercially licensed skippers, level 3 Medics; Satour Registered specialised tour guides; Dive Masters and qualified shark handlers. All our crew have done SAMSA compliant Fire-Fighters and Life-Raft Courses and our skippers are licensed with ICASA (independent Commission Authority of SA), as well as SAMSA (SA Maritime and Safety Authority). A step-by-step emergency flow chart is available inside the cabin of our vessel, at all times.

Shark Diving- the Cage & Boat

The Boat
For our Shark Cage Diving in Cape Town, we use one of the largest, most modern and luxurious boats available in the shark diving industry- a newly built stable catamaran, measuring 11 x 3.8 meters and therefore offering the ultimate stability at sea.
Although she is licensed to carry a maximum of 30 passengers, we do not take more than 25 clients per tour. This not only ensures maximum comfort, but also ensures maximum cage diving time for all divers. Our boat offers state-of-the-art facilities, which includes; sophisticated and securely structured 5-6-man steel cage, spacious cabin, large upper shark-viewing deck, sunbathing area, private lockable toilet, fresh water showers, private restroom with bed, fresh drinking water, wet deck and separate dry-deck for maximum comfort.
She is fully licensed to SA safety standards and is equipped with 2 radios, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit (including oxygen an fluid replacement), current safety equipment, life vests for all passengers and a 50-man life raft.
Our boat, cage and life raft are inspected on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our passengers
Able to hold several people.
Cages are built to hold two, four or even six people, so you can get to experience the sharks with the whole family.
Close to the surface.
The cage actually floats and doesn't go deep at all since sharks are surface feeders. It's therefore easy to keep in touch with the boat crew and you can always get out of the cage quickly if the adventure becomes a little too exciting. (info:about.com)
The Diving Cage
Rodney Fox, an Australian diver, has been credited with inventing the shark cage. Rodney became shark bait while spear fishing in Australia. After getting sewn back to his original shape, he turned his attention to the study of the Great White Shark and to avoid being attacked again, designed the first under water observation cage.
The diving cage is .....
Safe.The diving cage is specially designed to withstand the bite of a Great White (although they haven't ever attacked a cage to date) while still allowing the diver a good view of the shark. The diving cages are made from 12mm galvanized steel.

Downhill Adventures - Shark Cage Diving

THE TRIP INCLUDES
Breakfast, light lunch, snacks, soft drinks, mineral water, towels and all the diving gear on the boat and ventures into shark alley to view a colony of 50,000 cape fur seals (weather permitting).

Our boat is the most modern and luxurious of the cage diving vessels. She has space for 25 passengers, a 6-man steel cage and a life raft which holds 50 people. She also has a huge deck space, large observation deck, toilet and changing area.

Non-divers can also enjoy viewing from the boat as this can at times be more spectacular than the sightings from the cage.

GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH A GREAT WHITE SHARK!

Downhill Adventures
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