Great White Sharks – Cape Town (South Africa)

Probably the most feared of all creatures (thanks to Jaws author Peter Benchley), great whites occasionally munch on bikini-clad coeds but are more inclined to dine on natural prey like seal and fish. You can literally get close enough to reach out and pick their teeth in places like Shark Alley along the coast east of Cape Town, where outfitters organize cage dives out of old fishing ports like Gansbaai (near Hermanus) and Mossel Bay (near George). Although great whites cruise these bays year-round, the cooler water of the South African winter (May-Sept) means more sharks and better underwater visibility. Because cage divers breathe through air hoses connected directly to the boat rather than via tanks, no extensive scuba experience is necessary – just lots of cojones.

For more information: White Shark Discovery