shark cage diving
So, you are an adventurer, or you love sharks, or you really got into shark week this year and you are thinking it might be an awesome idea to jump into the waters and see one of these magnificent creatures. Well, you are not alone. Many people want to experience this as well and you can do it too. There are numerous tour operators offering cage diving to see great white sharks and the best part is that you do not need to be a diver to experience this. I did my shark cage diving in South Africa to see the Great White Sharks. It was an incredible experience!
My experience shark cage diving
The Day before Shark Cage Diving
The day before the tour my friend and I tried pack in all the Cape Town had to offer. We climbed Table Mountain in the morning and then joined a half day wine tour to Stellenbosch where we sampled a bunch of wines. We then went to Mama Africa and indulged in a taste of African dinner where we got to sample a bunch of local amazing South African foods. Between the hiking, wine drinking and overindulgence of a hearty dinner, I knew I was in trouble when I woke up to prepare for the shark diving and was already feeling queasy. I know that I have a tendency to get a little motion sickness, so I brought some antiemetics and did not eat much at the breakfast provided to us by the tour. I was anxious about getting on the boat as in the debrief they mentioned seasickness multiple times. I mentioned this to my friend, and she tried to be reassuring.
The boat ride/pre-dive
We started on the top deck, and with the wind in my hair on the boat my worries dissolved. I felt much better and was feeling more confident that perhaps it was more nerves than anything else. But, once we anchored, it was a whole different scene. The Great Whites immediately showed up and I snapped a few great pictures from the top of the boat, but the waves and rocking started to get to me. Having been a friend to seasickness in the past, I knew to get to the main level and look toward the horizon. My stomach eased slightly and temporarily and then the onslaught of vomiting started. I took my medicine and it had basically no effect. I continued to throw up, but I was extremely determined to do this diving. I knew also from seasickness experience before that being in the ocean is better than being on the boat, so I started gearing up to get into the cage. I persisted to vomit and one of the crew members came up to me and advised that perhaps I did not partake in the diving. I insisted that I wanted to do it regardless of the vomiting. Another member said I could continue. I fought back vomiting a few times just to ensure I could get into the cage.
The dive
The cold water of the ocean once I got in was so refreshing. It totally eased my desire to vomit … initially. For about ten minutes I got to see the incredible sharks and take pictures and videos. And then the urge to vomit struck again. Apparently, the cage moves with the boat since it is tethered to it, so it still transfers the motion to you. At that point, I asked to come out of the cage because I was feeling ill again, and the crew told me to throw up in the water first. These poor people in the cage with me. Well let’s just say I chummed the water and when I was done vomiting, they helped me climb back aboard the ship. I was freezing and literally could not stop vomiting. At this point my friend also started vomiting. We were a hot mess. Some kind lady stranger helped me out of my wetsuit and into dry clothes in the middle of the ship. I was in no condition to argue or resist being basically naked in front of a ton of people. Some other stranger had some Dramamine and took pity on me and gave it to me. There were so many people throwing up over the edge and into these little bags that they ran out of bags.
The ride home
Soon enough, the boat was heading back, and the cool breeze helped me, but I was feeling pretty miserable. Even once we got back on land, I threw up another two times before getting into the minivan for the 2.5-hour drive back to Cape Town. Luckily for me, the Dramamine was kicking in and I nodded to sleep for some of the journey. I did some dry heaving in the middle of the journey but no more actual vomiting. I still am not sure if the culprit was just the seasickness or too much food/wine the day before, or a stomach virus but either way it was an experience I would never forget.
My experience
I would say despite immense sea sickness the shark cage diving experience was an incredible experience. Next time, I won’t be so over indulgent the day before and I will pre-medicate for the boat. There are so many places in the world to see sharks and get to dive or snorkel beside them. Being with Great White Sharks is even cooler. Trust me you will love this unique way of exploring these beautiful and fierce creatures.
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