The thick, dark waters of the ocean are a mysterious place. There’s an endless number of unknown things beneath the surface and cage diving is one way to explore that underwater world without getting eaten by a shark. However, even if you’re not on Shark Week, there are some things you need to know before you get into the water with sharks.
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What is Cage Diving?
Cage diving is exactly what it sounds like: you sit in a protective cage while sharks swim around you. The main purpose of the cage is to keep you safe, both from the sharks and other dangers in the ocean. However, there are benefits to being inside of a cage that make it an exciting way to experience the ocean.
Cage diving can give you a unique perspective on these creatures by giving them more room than they would have otherwise—and it also allows them enough space that they won’t feel threatened by your presence (or vice versa). The result? You get an up-close look at these amazing animals without having to worry about anything else!
Who can go cage diving?
Anyone can go cage diving, but there are some restrictions. The minimum age is 16 years old, and only those who are physically fit and healthy should consider going. You also need to be in good shape and have a willingness to get wet. You will be swimming with the sharks!
- Bring swimwear and towels for after the dive.
- Don’t bring anything valuable with you because it could easily get lost or damaged in the water. If possible, keep valuables at home or in your hotel safe—just in case!
How to Find a Tour
To find a tour, you need to do some research.
- Check online. Most tour operators will have information about their tours on their website and social media pages. This can help you decide which one is right for your needs. Also, if the company has reviews from previous customers, that can be helpful too!
- Ask a local: If you’re traveling somewhere new, it’s always good to ask people who live there what they recommend doing in the area—they’ll know all the best places to go!
When to go cage diving?
You may be wondering when to go cage diving. There are a few factors that determine when you should make your trip. The location and time of year, as well as the weather and season will all play a part in determining if the diving conditions are right for you.
Location: Ocean currents can change throughout the year, so it’s important to keep this in mind before planning your trip. For example, Cape Town has different currents than Durban or Port Elizabeth (the latter two being further south). If you’re looking for some serious waves during mating season, Port Elizabeth might be better suited than Durban because it has more powerful currents at certain times of year.
Where to go cage diving?
Cage diving is a popular activity in many countries. The most important thing to consider is whether the location has a good reputation for safety and conservation. Here are a few of the best places for cage diving:
- South Africa – Cape Town, Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth are all great locations for this activity.
- Australia – If you want to see sharks but don’t want to get too close, then Australia’s Gold Coast is the perfect place for you!
- Bahamas – The Bahamas offers some of the most spectacular shark diving experiences anywhere in the world! You can even swim with sharks at night!
- South America – Brazil’s beaches offer up some amazing opportunities for underwater wildlife viewing including sea turtles, dolphins, whales and manatees (you may need a permit).
How to prepare for your trip.
- A waterproof camera to capture the experience
- A towel for any unexpected spills
- A change of clothes because you’ll be wet and sandy
- A hat to protect your head from the sun, not just for style points. The sun can be brutal down at the water’s edge, so bring something with a wide brim if you have one. You might also want to consider a hat with a strap that can stay put when it gets wet or sandy, since these tend to fall off easily when they’re wet.
- Mask and snorkel equipment (and spare parts). We recommend bringing two sets: one set that you wear while cage diving, and another set in case anything happens to yours underwater (e.g., they become damaged). Your mask could get scratched up by coral during an excursion; if this happens while diving in open water without goggles or contact lenses on hand then it could cause eye damage! So we suggest having one backup pair just in case something goes wrong during your trip—or simply wear goggles instead of using contacts so nothing will happen during normal activities like snorkeling anyway! Remember that different types of masks come with different features like nose pads versus straps so make sure whatever kind has been chosen fits comfortably before heading out there into nature’s wilds.”
Can I take my camera in the water with me?
There are a few important things to know about taking your camera in the water. First of all, it’s important to make sure that the camera is waterproof. Even if you’re just doing a short dive, there’s no guarantee that it won’t get damaged by saltwater or sand.
If you want to bring your own camera into the cage, there are plenty of options for waterproofing it. You can use a GoPro or other waterproof cameras (although these aren’t always easy to rent). There are also cases that allow phones and cameras to function underwater without being exposed directly to water—these can cost up to $60 dollars each but they’re very useful if you’re not using an actual waterproof camera like one of those mentioned above!
How long does a cage diving experience last?
There are a number of different tour options available to you, so it’s important to choose one that matches your interests and level of certification. You can expect to be in the water anywhere from 30 minutes up until 2 hours—but how long you stay in the cage is determined by how much time your certification allows for. Some tours will allow longer dives because they want more experienced divers on their boat who can handle longer dives and more weighty gear. If you’re looking for an adventure, this is one way to make sure that you get plenty of time out on the water with great visibility!
You need to be prepared for what you’re about to dive into, and the ocean is an amazing place.
You need to be prepared for what you’re about to dive into, and the ocean is an amazing place. It’s beautiful, it’s dangerous and it can kill you in a heartbeat.
Be prepared for the weather. If it’s been raining all morning in your part of the world, don’t go diving at noon—it won’t be good for anyone! It may not seem like much fun when you’re on vacation but it will make your trip more enjoyable if you’re prepared with proper gear and an understanding of what things in nature might want to do harm to your body.
You should know how much time is allotted for each dive so that everyone has enough oxygen left once they reach their destination point (this varies depending on how many people are going). Make sure everyone knows how long they have before entering back into their boat because there’s nothing worse than being stuck underwater without knowing where your next breath will come from!
Conclusion
So, if you’ve read all the above but still want to go cage diving – go for it! But don’t do so naively, I would recommend doing a proper dive trip where you learn about the ocean and are guided by certified professionals. Diving with great white sharks is surreal and exhilarating, I hope this post has helped you understand how to do it safely and responsibly.
