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Text by Alice Clark
On my first day out on the boat I was nervous; unsure of what to expect and a little doubting of my shark spotting skills. By the end of that day we had seen twelve sharks and I’d been eyeball to eyeball with three of them during a cage dive. That pretty much got me over my nerves and I was hooked. Of course not everyday is as exciting as that but it was a pretty good start.
Michael eases newcomers in, giving everyone a chance to find their feet and have a go at the various tasks, so you soon feel useful on the boat. Spending all that time on the water with the sharks was a once in a lifetime experience (or maybe twice as, like most former assistants, I’d love to return). They are truly mesmerizing and awe inspiring – there is so much more to the Great White Shark than the horror movie monster image that many people associate with them.
Even without the sharks a stay in Gansbaai is a memorable experience. Michael and Tracey’s house is comfortable and welcoming. They are expert hosts – their braais (barbeques to the uninitiated) are so good they have their own special room. And the local nightlife has to be seen to be believed.
All in all it is an experience I would recommend to anyone – the memories are priceless.
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