Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

By Peter Pinnock (Adapted from "passport to diving the world")

Well Known For :

Tiger sharks live in the waters just off Aliwal Shoal.

Tiger sharks live in the waters just off Aliwal Shoal. As it's their natural hunting grounds, they sometimes ignore the chummed water and let curiosity take over. Once the sharks on "on the bait," though, you can snorkel or dive with them. Drifting with the current is effortless; the tigers, on the other hand, swim into the current toward the "chum drum" suspended a few metres below the surface. The largest shark is 7.2m - far larger than the average snorkeller - and the older tigers have less visible stripes. The tigers circle a few times before they head straight for the source of the fish odour. In a flash their razor-sharp teeth and strong jaws saw off chunks of bait. Adrenalin pumping, divers instantly develop a respect for these massive predators.

(Ok enough with the stories, I'm itchin' for a dive)