Meet a young adventure-nut called Roger Underdown, who works as a night shift maintenance fitter from Kent.
The cheerful traveller is going to meet a Great White shark today from the confines of a lowered cage near Dyer Island, which is where the sharks normally gather to hunt seals off Geyser Rock. Roger has seen the eclipse in Romania, has climbed Kilimanjaro and, as soon as he’s ticked off his shark experience,
he’s driving down the Garden Route to throw himself off the tallest bungee spot in the world. Then he’s off to Madagascar to look for a really big butterfly.
Life-changing Experience
As he emerges from the cage 4 hours later, Roger has clearly had an epiphany. His hands shake, his eyes shine and words of sheer excitement come tumbling from his mouth.
The boat-based shark experience is mystical and life-changing. And the effect of the shark cage diving business on the little town of Gansbaai, known as the Great White Shark capital of the world, has been astounding - providing many jobs to locals and thrilling over 30 000 visitors a year.
A Love of Sharks
Why has cage diving with sharks become so popular, making it by far the most sought-after adventure activity among foreign tourists visiting the Western Cape?
“I put it down to Jaws,” says McFarlane. “The book and the movie scared people out of the water – and into boats. Jaws made sharks into monsters, but it also gave them a mystique. People want that thrill of being safe in the presence of the monster. I love my sharks. A day without sharks is a day without sunshine.”
Once you’re out here and the wind is blowing over the sea and the boat is bobbing and the shark is rising from the water, it’s not about fear. You stand in awe of this living cruise missile that has been here, in this perfect form, master and commander of the southern seas for so many millions of years.
Lifelong Dream
Anna and Stu Durand hail from Brighton, England. They were out for a day at sea with sharks. “I was bitten by Jaws,” said Stu. “It’s been a lifelong dream to see a Great White shark up close.”
Stu and Anna threw on wet suits and joined 3 others in the large cage attached to the side of the boat. The sharks followed a hunk of tuna right up to the caged tourists, and when it was whipped away, began attacking one of the inflatable pillows holding the cage buoyant.
The shark cage-diving business brings people closer to the Great White populations than ever before. They go out for the thrill of fear, they return with deep respect for the fish.
Nile Crocodiles
And now, in the words of the Monty Python team, for something completely different: crocodile cage diving. Currently, the only place you can get wild and wet 
with crocs is in South Africa at Cango Ranch outside Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo. And we’re not talking little baby needle-noses, here. These are 5-metre Nile crocodiles, real man-eaters – super-predators in their own right.
And if you thought the Great White shark had awesome bite-power, consider this. Those scaly fellows over at Cango Ranch can clamp down 4 times harder than their fishy counterparts. That’s why it’s very important that the cage you’re lowered in can withstand anything a large crocodile can throw at it.
Sizing You Up
According to Cango Ranch, the croc-proof cage is lowered into a clear water environment where 5 crocodiles live. You – ensconced in the cage – are supplied with goggles and a snorkel. The crocodiles then lazily drift around your cage, eyeing you out, perhaps sizing you up for lunch.
While this is all happening, you are being photographed being brave. The image of you – caged and surrounded by extremely large, menacing reptiles – can be proudly displayed back in your den at home. It’s bound to beat anything your neighbour could ever show you.
Humbling Experience
South African model and TV star Genevieve Howard went down to meet the crocodiles in their home tank. She came face to face with three crocs called Hannibal, Sweet Sue and Ma Baker.
“Being so close to something that could kill me if it so chose, left me in awe,” she said. “It was humbling.”
After the experience, intrepid croc-cage divers can quieten their adrenalin surges with a well-deserved drink at the restaurant.
© Shark photograph courtesy and copyright of Chris Marais.
© Croc cage dive photograph courtesy and copyright of CangoWildlife Ranch.
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