Diving with Sharks

There are over 20 species of shark living in the Pacific waters around the Maldives, of which only two present any danger to scuba divers. The others, and even the possible aggressors, are indeed some of the Maldives greatest diving attractions. In fact, ask any diver what the coolest thing he’s ever seen underwater and he’ll probably tell you it was some kind of shark.
The following is a short guide to the sharks of the Maldives together with photos and descriptions to help you recognize them.

Whale Shark

The highlight of most divers’ careers, the whale shark is the largest fish in the water, measuring up to 40 feet long. The shark is grey with very distinctive white spots all over his back. This shark is not aggressive and poses no danger to divers. On the contrary, they are very docile creatures that will allow you to swim close to them.

Tiger Shark

The Tiger Shark is the second largest predatory shark in the world, after the Great White. It is also the second most aggressive shark when it comes to attacking humans, although in Hawaii, where most Tiger Shark attacks occur, there is rarely more than one a year. The Tiger can be identified by his tiger-like stripes on his upper body and sheer size – Tiger Sharks measure up to 9 feet long. To see a Tiger Shark while diving is a real treat, but divers are well-advised to swim away from the shark quietly and without panicking.

Hammerhead Shark

One of nature’s most unusual creatures, the Hammerhead Shark is an amazing beast to see. There are nine hammerhead species already identified (the ninth specimen was identified in South Carolina in 2006), of which three can be dangerous to humans, although shark attacks by hammerheads are almost unheard of. Hammerhead Point, also known as Madivaru Corner, is a dive site in Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives, where Hammerheads pass by the reef wall early every morning, along with a variety of large deep-water fish. This breathtaking dive is a must-see for any diving enthusiast in the Maldives.

All other shark species in the Maldives pose no threat to humans, but all the same, they should be treated with respect to ensure utmost safety.

The White-Tip Reef Shark is one of the most common sharks to be seen in the Maldives. It is a grey shark with a white tip on its dorsal fin. The white-tip is most active at night, and as the name suggests, it is most commonly found around the reef.

The Grey Reef Shark is also fairly common, and popular among divers. A few years ago, scuba divers gathered around the reef to feed and watch the sharks, but this practice has now been cancelled since there was too much damage to the coral reef.

The Oceanic White-Tip Shark is abundant in the Maldives water, but it is rarely seen by divers since it spends most of its time out in the ocean, away from the reef.

Other sharks that scuba divers might see around the Maldives include the Zebra Shark, Snaggletooth Shark, Silky Shark, Silvertip Shark, Bignose Shark, Tawny Nurse Shark, the Sliteye Shark, the Thresher Shark, the Blue Shark and the Shortfin Mako. Until recently, the only shark protected in Maldivian waters was the Whale Shark. However, on March 9, 2009, a law was passed banning all shark fishing in the Maldives. Conservationists are very optimistic that this will dramatically impact the shark populations around the Atolls.

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Shark Cage Diving Tours

have been dominating the ocean for the past 400 million years, and have received a well-respected name for being the ocean’s fiercest specie, and hunter. Humans fear them, we respect them but no matter what we are still fascinating by this fearsome predator.

 South Africa, but more specifically Cape Town is one of the best locations probably in the world to see and experience sharks, especially the Great White Shark in close proximity.  The population of sharks in Cape Town is unmatched anywhere else, the shark diving locations are easily accessible and very close to land; making it easy for humans to see these creatures at what they were best trained to do.

 Shark Cage Diving in Cape Town – truly an adventure

Cage diving with sharks and surface viewing has become an ever increasing popular activity in the tourism industry. People travel the globe just to witness these incredible species, and to meet them eye-to-eye. And what a remarkable experience isn’t it to get in the water along with the ocean’s greatest predator? People apprehend this adrenalin filled adventure with great anticipation and excitement and return with the greatest passion and respect for these fascinating creatures.

 Shark cage diving is a strictly regulated industry and there are only a few operators that have been good enough to be awarded a license to take people out to the ocean to view the sharks. Great care and effort are taken not to interfere with the shark’s natural behaviour patterns. The feeding of sharks are also prohibited so the sharks don’t misinterpret the boat as its delicious next meal. Passengers on the boat are most likely to see the Great White Shark as other sharks tend to keep a low profile in their territory. The Cape Coast is one of the most popular locations, in the world, to find Great White Sharks, and a lot of them.

 The Shark Cage Diving Adventure begins

When the passengers board the boat ready to take off for their trip out on to the ocean, the air is filled with great excitement and overwhelming emotions. Usually it takes about an hour of chumming before the first shark arrives; once the sharks have calmed down the first group of people get ready to enter the cage and be lowered down into the water. The other passengers then retreat to the back of the boat or the viewing platform to view the spectacular that will shortly follow.

 Once the cage is in the water the bait line is drawn to the cage and lures the Great White Sharks to the cage. It is at this moment that you feel like your heart has stopped beating and some people feel something warm between their legs. Needless to say, the cagers’ emotions are running high.

 But it is not just the cage divers that are experiencing this remarkable moment, but the passengers view point from the boat is also excellent as they can see the sharks’ every movement. As they approach the cage, circle it and descend again. The surface viewers are also in the ideal position to capture this moment by camera.

Shark Cage Diving Locations

There are two great areas down the Cape Coast which is excellent for Great White Shark Cage Diving: Gans Bay and Mosselbay; both are easy accessible from Cape Town International Airport. The best time to shark cage dive down the Cape Coast is between April and November mainly because of the mass-pupping of seals.

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Shark Cage Diving Tours

Shark Diving South Africa | Shark Cage Diving

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Sometimes only a four lettered word will do, and this is one of them. I mutter it silently to myself as nature’s number one predator appears from the abyss. More expletives follow, slowly at first and then rapid fire as the full might of the ocean’s greatest hunter turns and heads straight towards me. Closer and closer, with a mouth opening and closing as if in anticipation, it is Carcharodon Carcharias otherwise known as the great white shark.

Tarquin Cooper takes a picture of himself with a great white shark 
The only thing separating me from those infamous teeth, now only 12 inches away from my face, is the mesh of a stainless steel cage, and I can’t help noticing that some of the bars are bent. How did they get that way? Are they strong enough to withhold this cartilaginous hulk’s curiosity? If you could see my eyes they would be out on stalks, my eyebrows on full extension by the sight transfixing me. But it is awe induced not by terror, but by wonder.

“People expect to find a mindless eating machine that attacks everything and everyone,” says Morné Hardenberg, our shark diving guide. “But they go away with a different perception.”

The great white is an incredible creature. Over 400 million years it has evolved into the ocean’s largest predator, a torpedo shaped hunting machine equipped with sensors that can pick up the electro-magnetic pulses every living thing beneath the sea produces. Its colouring is ideal for the hunter. It’s surely no accident that it has been copied by military aircraft; the light underbelly to blend with the surface, the darker steel blue top side that makes it hard to spot from above, and broken lines of contrast to complete the camouflage.

What could be more exciting than coming face to face with it? Never mind that you’re more likely to die from falling down the stairs than from a shark, it’s the imagined fear that’s exciting. Just hum the theme from Jaws and imagine that dead eye stalking you in cold dark waters.

Since it started about ten years ago cage diving has become more and more popular. Those to have enjoyed the experience include Prince Harry on his recent tour of Africa, who saw a shark maul a seal, and Brad Pitt.

But not everyone is enthusiastic. Many locals accuse diving operators of encouraging sharks to enter waters where humans swim by the practice of ‘chumming’ – where fish is thrown to attract them.

A great white comes a bit too close for comfort 
Although attacks are rare, about four a year for the whole of South Africa, they do happen. A few weeks before my arrival a British surfer nearly lost his leg to a shark in Cape Town and last year an elderly swimmer lost her life to a shark in the same bay. But diving operators say chumming only attracts sharks that are already in the area.

“Chumming has got nothing to do with it,” says Michael Rutzen, owner of Shark Diving Unlimited. “We chum with animals that occur naturally. Chum where there are no sharks and you don’t get any.” It’s a view supported by shark environmentalists.

Rutzen adds that shark diving has a vital role to play in re-educating the public and protecting the great white. “We have to show people these animals to ensure their survival. It’s no different from viewing leopards and lions.”

Cage diving occurs off Gansbaai, about 120 miles east of Cape Town, South Africa.

We set off in a 42ft double decked boat to ‘shark alley’ a narrow channel between two islands about a mile offshore, one of which is home to a colony of 50,000 seals. It’s a feeding ground for hundreds of migrating great whites, some of whom end up in Australian waters.

After dropping anchor the process of ‘chumming’ begins. Parts of tuna, soup fin shark and other fish are tossed overboard.

Suddenly the excitement on board is palpable – the first shark has been spotted and it’s circling the boat. The cage is lowered and tied on securely at four points. I step into it and the waterline reaches my neck. It is large enough for five of us. The water is cold. As the skipper and crew spot sharks approaching they shout the command, “Down. Down. Down.” We hold our breaths and go under. The cage doesn’t move – it remains wedded to the boat.

My first thought on seeing a great white is how graceful and powerful it is. One swims past our cage and I and the others can’t resist touching its rubbery skin. We surface to a strict telling off. “No touching,” shouts skipper Frank Rutzen. “They are not puppy dogs.”

I don’t need any reminding with the second shark. It heads right for me, bashes the cage and starts chomping on the bars, just inches away.

Scared? Too right I am – I can’t hug the back of the cage hard enough. But it’s exhilarating and I surface to cheers from the boat.