Diving with sharks is one of the most heart-pumping experiences that you can partake in- aside from the obvious adrenaline sparking sight of a nine foot shark swimming towards you there’s the enclosed feeling of being below water in a metal cage. However, don’t let this put you off- swimming with sharks can be highly rewarding and create memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Shark diving is one of those things that’s on a lot of people’s bucket lists- alongside bungee jumping, climbing a volcano, perfecting a particular recipe and learning to speak Japanese. If you aren’t already familiar with the concept then check out the 2007 film Bucket List with Jack Nicholson. On that note, why not get a pad and pen and start making your bucket list right now? Have a read of the following, pick your favourite destination and get planning!
As long as you’re ready to go then, here are the top 5 places to dive with sharks:
– Bahamas, Carribean. With a hugely diverse range of sharks this is an excellent destination to take to the water. Sharks range from the Great White to the tiniest of creatures and you’ll learn huge amounts about the varying sea life. This is also not one for the faint-hearted as shark tours here are given cage-free!
– The Galapagos Islands. These islands are teeming with marine life and are an excellent place to see a huge amount of striking creatures. From the shoreside you can admire a whole range of iguanas and turtles, as well as taking part in special tours to see them up close and at night. If you’re feeling you need something more challenging than this then the truly brave visitors of the islands head out into the sea in search of sharks.
– Gansbaai, South Africa. This area is known as The World’s Great White Shark Capital and you’ll find a huge selection of beautiful creatures in the ocean around you. Take a cage down Shark Alley, where the intimidating sharks pass you from all sides, and appreciate how this area has the densest population beauties in the world.
– Him Mu Sang, Thailand. This is not the place for inexperienced divers, you’ll need some good experience under your belt to even attempt to dive here. The area’s wild and more tricky to manoeuvre and you’ll be able to avoid all the normal shark tours. The most popular sharks down here are leopard sharks which are striking against the clear blue background.
– Isla Guadalupe, Mexico. This one definitely makes the top 5 best places to dive with sharks- as well as a fantastic range of sharks the location is stunning. For the moment the island, which is just off the Mexican coastline, remains unpolluted and the surroundings, as well as the sea, look like paradise. The untouched coastline is teeming with creatures and a little deeper the sea is teeming with Great Whites!
If you want to try this a bit closer to home then it might be useful to know that you can actually dive with sharks in both London and Edinburgh (you can get some practise in before you venture further afield.) Plan well beforehand, take the plunge and have a fantastic time!
