I know it’s going to be bad when I hear the crew from the previous shark dive talking about being vomited on, and the number of passengers being sick. Even though I’ve doubled up on the seasickness meds to the point of passing out, it may not be enough. Cage diving with the Great White Sharks at Gansbaai is going to be a challenge.
The trip out to the dive zone is ok – the boat is purpose-built and has enough power to cut through the increasing swell. At anchor, it’s a different story. I’m ok until it’s my turn in the cage as part of the second group. The crew say that you’ll feel better in the water – nup, sorry, first thing I do is throw up!
It’s not really a dive. Marine Dynamics don’t use snorkels or flippers. It’s a wetsuit, a mask, and a set of weights. The cage is also attached to the side of the boat, so where the boat goes, so does the cage. In a deepening swell, it’s not a fun place to be. There’s no time to worry about the great white sharks – all concentration is on not gulping in water as the swell breaks over the cage. Trying to hold the GoPro steady, even with a Bobber attached, is almost impossible.
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That being said, we see fourteen sharks, some greater than 4 metres. We also see one of the sharks bite the lure off the end of the rope and take off with it :-).
I’m also not the most seasick – there are a few passengers forced out of the cage in the third group through sea sickness. Getting in the cage has one purpose – seeing the sharks under water. Otherwise, the view of the sharks is often better from the deck, if you can take a photo and hold a sea sickness bag at the same time. Not so easy today.
It’s a very overcast sunset today – looks like it will rain overnight. It doesn’t bother the Southern Right Whales though – in the foreground, an adult rolls on its back close to the shore, and raises its flippers in the air.
