Diving with sharks

© Fiona McIntoshWhile cage diving with white sharks is very well known, not that many people realise that South Africa has some of the best shark diving in the world – without cages. In spring, ragged tooth sharks, Carcharius taurus, gather in the warm waters off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal to breed. Tiger sharks are regularly and reliably seen off the same coast. Very experienced divers who are prepared to do deep dives in a strong current about 8km offshore can expect to see an enormous range of sharks off Protea Banks. Some areas of Mozambique are renowned for their frequent sightings of whale sharks and other large pelagics, such as manta rays. It is important for the safety of the divers and the long-term health of the sharks that all shark dives are undertaken with a qualified shark guide.