Being eaten alive by sharks is perhaps the most primal of human fears. But there are people for whom to witness the awesome stealth, beauty and majesty of the ocean’s number one predator is simply a passion. If you think that shark is a creature that should be more respected than feared and dream of coming face to face with them in their natural habitat, here are some unique places that will ensure your best thrilling adventure.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Australia’s last unspoiled paradise located off the shores of Costa Rica, Cocos is a rugged yet incredibly verdant island designated as a National Park, and a World Heritage Site that is sure to appeal every nature lover with its magical beauty. Rumor has it that the island has long been a hiding place of a billion dollars of pirate plundered treasure which nobody has ever found. However, the island is most famous for its wide variety of natural life with the most spectacular and abundant coming from the waters surrounding it. Along with dolphins, schools of fish, coral, sailfish and sea turtles, up to 10 different species of shark can be seen here at one time, namely the frequently sighted schools of Hammerhead Sharks, which have made the area a first class diving destination. Howard Hall’s film ‘Island of the Sharks’ was filmed here.
Gansbaai, South Africa
Plunge into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean for an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime experience in Gansbaai, a quaint South African fishing village that is best known as the great white shark capital of the world. Adrenaline junkies can try cage shark diving, climbing into impenetrable floating shark proof cage (for doing this no diver certificate is needed), but those who are not brave enough can still have the adventure and enjoy viewing great white sharks from the boat without diving.
Nassau, Bahamas
Diving with sharks is an adventure available in almost every part of The Bahamas, including Nassau – a small capital city, bursting with fantastic things to do. There a handful of dive operators on the island, who offer ’shark feeding’ dives, so if you ever wanted to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures, Nassau is a reliable place to do it. The shark experience is most often organized as a two tank dive, with the first dive on the wall with the sharks around, but not ‘in your face,’ and the second – some 16 meters deep, where you are given the opportunity to feed the sharks, and enjoy their presence. Be sure that the sharks will follow you throughout the first dive because you’ll be close to the feeding site and they surely know the dinner bell will ring soon.
Maldives
If you love sharks and are holidaying in the picturesque Maldives, be sure to meet up with dozens in a single day. Historically the Shale Sharks were only to be seen during the south-west monsoon season, but now due to several changes in the environment, they can be found swimming around the atolls all year round. Currents play an important role in the gathering of the big fish species. Eagle rays, mantas, jacks, dogtooth tuna, angel fish turtles and butterfly fish are offered for starters, while you can also encounter giant Napolean wrasse, huge grouper, mating octopus and hordes of other fish. With hundred of dives sites to choose from, Maldives is like an action place, where you’ll never know what will show up!
Rhode Island, USA
Rhode Island, or ‘The Ocean State,’ has almost 400 miles of tidal coastline, although it’s the smallest state in the U.S. And while many diving enthusiasts flock the island to see the wreck of U-853 (a Type IXC U-boat, which fought in the Battle of the Atlantic for the German
Kriegsmarine during WII), one of the island’s most famous scuba diving attractions, others indulge in blue and mako shark expeditions that deliver one of the most unforgettable open-water shark encounters in the world.
Guadalupe, Mexico
There are only a few places in the world where predictable shark encounters can be found. Guadalupe Island in Mexico is by far the most popular in North America. Ideal for both divers and non-divers alike, cage diving with a great white shark at Guadalupe Island is sure to exceed your expectations. You won’t see colorful reefs here, or admire schools of fish. The island is all about diving with one creature – the great white shark. The visibility on the island is simply fantastic, that’s the reason why scuba divers who love sharks come here for an ultimate experience.
Galapagos Islands
Located 600 miles west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands offer some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world. The marine life inhabiting the waters surrounding the island is just as fantastic as the wildlife, which makes it a premier dive destination. On any given dive it’s common to see sea lions, turtles, and of course different species of sharks, including hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, manta rays, Galapagos sharks, and huge schools of eagle and/or golden Rays, sometimes numbering 50-100 individuals.
With an air of mystique surrounding it, sharks have roamed the oceans for millions of year, virtually unchanged. So, why not experience the excitement and the thrill of shark diving!!!
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