White shark cage diving

One of the highlights from my trip to South Africa was when I went cage diving to observe the Great White Shark! This was an absolutely fantastic experience that everyone should do at some point. The great white shark is seriously misunderstood and they were so beautiful! I have had several people laugh at me when I´ve said this, but seriously – they were amazing! And to be able to look at them so close is spectacular, yet terrifying. But I am so glad we did it!

We booked the trip before arriving, just to be sure that the trip would not be full by the time we got there. We were in South Africa just as the tourism season was over, which meant that it was not as busy as it usually is. And that worked out perfectly. The boat could take 20 people, we were 10. So we actually had more time in the cage and on the boat.

The company we used was ´White Shark Africa´ and they have an office in Mossel Bay, about a four-hour drive from Cape Town. We were driving the Garden Route so it was natural to stop in Mossel Bay and spend a night there, which I would recommend if you´re planning on going cage diving as well. Because chances are you have to wake up at 6am, but there are several guest houses in Mossel Bay that are cheap and very nice and close to the harbour.

We started the day with breakfast at the White Shark Africa office, where they also talk about the safety on the boat and what we could expect during the day. They also talked about the sharks, how sharks typically behave and basically told us a lot of information about these animals. After about an hour at the office we walked down to the boat. The trip from the dock and to the location, which is Seal Island, is only about ten minutes. I absolutely loved that, because there is nothing more boring than spending hours on a boat without seeing or doing anything, and then you only have a short period of time at the location before you have to start going back. We had a lot of time at the shark location, which was fantastic!

Sharks are of course wild animals so we had no idea how long we had to wait until they came close to the boat. The crew has bait which they use to attract the sharks. We only waited about five minutes before we saw the fins. We hurried up and got into our wet suits and went into the cage. The crew would then tell us when to hold our breath and whether to look left, right or straight ahead. And the sharks came very close – they bumped into the cage, they bit on the cage, they jumped and we all loved it! It was such a great rush; unlike anything I have experienced before.

We were the first group to go into the cage and I think we were there for about an hour before we switched and the second group could experience it. We then had some time to observe the animals from the boat and that was also a lot of fun. And because the sharks would go cray for the bait, we also got a little wet even on the boat.

When we got back to the office we could talk to the crew about the day, ask questions and have some lunch before leaving. The crew was so helpful and knowledgeable and super friendly. They gave us that little extra, which made the experience even better!  

Hike up Platteklip Gorge, Table Mountain

Another great hike we did in Cape Town was up Table Mountain. This was a bit more challenging than Lion´s Head and I saw several people that looked like they wanted to give up, but I am so glad that we didn´t!

Apparently there are several different paths to walk up. We chose Platteklip Gorge, which is the most direct route to hike. It takes about an hour and a half to hike, depending on how fit you are. It is a challenging but rewarding hiking experience and I am so glad we decided to do it! It is the most popular hiking route up to Table Mountain as well, and as long as you hike during daylight then it is perfectly safe. Except the pain in your legs, you will definitely feel the burn as it is a steep way up.

It is a clear pathway so you know where to go. It is well constructed with stone steps so it is not possible to walk in the wrong direction. But walk slowly – that way you can also enjoy the great view of Cape Town and the costal line.

The thing about Cape Town, as I have mentioned earlier, is that the clouds tend to surround Table Mountain. So when the sky is clear, that is when you go hiking! Don´t wait until another day, because there may not be another clear day. And even though there are no clouds, there still might be some clouds or mist around Table Mountain. And if this is the case, then you shouldn´t go because the view won´t be any good – you shouldn´t go because it is easy to become disoriented and to lose your way.

At the highest point of the mountain you will find a restaurant, a shop and a café. Which is a good thing, because you will then have time to relax and enjoy a great meal and something cold to drink while enjoying the view. We sure did!

It is possible to take the Cable Car both up and down as well. We only took the Cable Car down and it is possible to purchase tickets at the top as well as by the foot of Table Mountain.

Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes, trust me! And bring enough water – don´t think that you can wait until you´re at the top. Even if it is not that warm, you always have to make sure that you bring enough water when hiking. And because the sun can be strong then a good sun block is also recommended. It is also a good idea to bring a small jacket to put one once you´ve reached the top, because the mountain is high so there can be a significant temperature difference from the city centre to the top of the mountain.

And don´t forget to enjoy the view!

Hiking up Lion´s Head

Lion´s Head is a mountain in Cape Town and one of the popular hiking trails there. And of course, a must to do when in Cape Town. The mountain peaks at 669 metres above sea level and the view is very great. you don´t only get a great view of CapeTown, but also of Table Mountain.

It takes about an hour to hike to the top, and as you get closer it also gets steeper. Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes and bring enough water. It is hot in Cape Town, especially on a sunny day, so it is important to go prepared.  

I actually think the pictures will speak for itself – even if you don´t like hiking that much, still go! The view is great!