It’s that time of year again, when we set New Year’s resolutions and revise our bucket lists for 2015. While the more proactive among us have long since ticked off #divingwithsharks, just as many have yet to take the plunge.
So how about committing today to a dive with ragged-tooth sharks here at the Two Oceans Aquarium, in Cape Town’s Waterfront, and treating yourself to the experience of a lifetime?
With nothing but the ocean between you and these impressive marine predators, you’ll be close enough to count their rows of needle-sharp teeth – thousands of which each shark loses in its lifetime.
You’ll also be “rubbing shoulders” with turtles and shoals of yellowtail, dusky kob and musselcracker in perfect viewing conditions – a unique marine experience that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
Tommy Gale of Canterbury, Kent in the UK had this to say on TripAdvisor:
“I paid to dive in the predator tank at the Two Oceans Aquarium and it was an incredible experience and great value. The dive masters were very friendly and could not have been more helpful.
“The dive lasted about half an hour and you get up close and personal with ragged-tooth sharks, rays, sea turtles and other beautiful fish.
“Nowhere else are you guaranteed an opportunity to do this, if you are in Cape Town I would strongly recommend this experience!”
Another TripAdvisor reviewer, jehemnem of Sydney, Australia, made the following comment:
“Fantastic exhibitions and the dive just made it – I would highly recommend booking a dive in the shark tank a couple of days in advance (must be qualified) as you then get free entry to the rest of the aquarium.”
If you’re an Aquarium member and have your own diving gear, you will pay R400; a member using Aquarium gear will pay R500; a non-member with own gear, R535; and a non-member using Aquarium gear will pay R700.
Use this handy online booking facility to sign up today.
Please take note of the terms and conditions below to ensure that your dive runs smoothly:
- To participate in a shark dive you are required to have an Open Water 1 qualification and be able to present your dive card, logbook or certificate on arrival
- Failure to produce dive card or logbook on the day will result in cancellation of your dive and liability for the full fee
- Book a day in advance – subject to availability
- Prices subject to change without notice
- If you plan to fly less than 12 hours after your dive, you are not permitted to dive
- Divers must be aged 12 or older
- Divers aged 12-15 may only dive if accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also a qualified diver
- Report to the front desk at least 15 minutes before your dive, or it will be cancelled and you will be required to pay the full fee
- Entry to the Aquarium is included in the dive fee
If you’ve never dived before, there’s good news. The Aquarium’s in-house instructor, Iain Robertson of Iain’s Scuba School, offers a one-day Discover Scuba course that entitles you to dive with the sharks.
The course includes use of all supplied equipment at a cost of R650 (dive not included), and will allow you to get close to our sharks in a safe, controlled environment.
Or, you could go a step further and sign up for a more advanced course. The PADI Open Water course is recognised worldwide, and allows you to dive in conditions and situations similar to those in which you train.
The course takes two weeks part-time in the evening, or over five days full-time. The course covers the basic knowledge and skills required to become a qualified diver.
Your PADI Open Water course with Iain culminates in a dive in the I&J Predator Exhibit.
To book, call Iain on +27 (0)82 894 6054 or email him at iainrobe@mweb.co.za.
