When people think of “Shark Diving” in South Africa, they often imagine a metal cage in Cape Town. But on the Aliwal Shoal, we do things differently. We believe that to truly respect a shark, you need to meet it on its own terms, free in the blue.

How a Baited Dive works at ScubaCo

We specialise in Baited Shark Dives (often called pelagic drifts). We use scent drums to attract Oceanic Blacktip and Tiger Sharks to the area. Crucially, we do not force the interaction. The sharks choose to come to us.

Why No Cage?

Photography: Without bars in your way, you get unobstructed views of the shark’s natural movement.

Behaviour: Cages can sometimes trigger aggressive curiosity in Great Whites. The species we dive with (Blacktips, Tigers, Bulls) are generally more calculating and calm. Drifting freely allows us to witness their natural hierarchy.

Freedom: Drifting suspended in the water column at 8m is a feeling of pure weightlessness.

Is it Safe? Yes. Safety is our obsession. We have a 100% safety record because we follow strict protocols. Divers stay in a group, maintain vertical position, and are guided by expert safety divers who read the sharks’ body language.

Note:

You must be an Open Water certified diver to join a baited dive. Not certified yet? Check out our PADI Courses.