South Africa’s best shark diving site is the legendary Protea Banks -- it certainly ranks as one of the world’s greatest shark dives. Protea Banks lies 8km offshore with depths ranging from 30m in the shallows to 50m on the ocean side and is visited by nine species of shark.
A close encounter with a shark is a memorable experience for most divers. Their majestic silhouettes and graceful movements are instantly mesmerising. Being surrounded by so many sharks that there is no need to point them out is an incredible experience, and trying to remember all the species you have seen is another story!
The warming current from Mozambique sweeps down the coast attracting over 1200 species of fish. In this nutrient rich water everything seems to be ‘Extra Large’, from the huge ribbon tailed rays, mantas and giant bass to the sharks themselves.
Dolphins also frequent the Protea Banks dive site and are marvellous to watch as you drift along with the current, taking in everything that comes your way. August to November sees Protea Banks covered in ‘raggies’ (sandtiger sharks) which congregate in their hundreds to breed.
Diving and seeing zambezis (bull sharks), raggies, tigers, hammerheads and on the rare occasion even great white sharks in their natural habitat, you will realise that seeing sharks through the bars of a cage in an artificially stressed environment pales in comparison.
South Africa has become world renowned as a destination for diving with sharks.
Initially it was only Great White cage diving but recently South Africa has become known for it's "Raggies" (Sand Tiger Sharks), Zambezi's (Bull Sharks), Hammerhead Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Copper Sharks, Blacktip Shark, Dusky Sharks and Spinner Sharks to name but a few. Not forgetting the Whale Shark which we all know is not a shark at all!!
Divers have flocked to South Africa in their thousands in order to have the privilege to be able to dive with these magnificent creatures. Many have returned home with not having seen a single shark and the main reason for this is due to the "season" and location. Shark diving is most definitely seasonal as well as regional.
If you want to see sharks it's imperative that you select the right time of year and the right place from which to dive with your preferred species of shark.
Popular Diving Sites in South Africa:
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