Over recent years, South Africa has also become known as a prime shark diving destination. This exciting activity has gained popularity especially with the emerging adventure tourism market. Between the islands of Geyser Rock and Dyer Island is a narrow and shallow channel called Shark Alley; reputed to be the world's best place for Great White Shark Cage Diving.

The shark is one of the world's deadliest – and most vulnerable – species. Few creatures have been as vilified, hated, but also respected for their awesome predatory prowess and fearsome countenance. The hunter of the deep has however become the hunted – overfishing has depleted shark populations around the world and now it is the shark that needs to be protected.

The fear of sharks is in most instances irrational. Few people realise that human beings do not form part of the shark's diet and in the rare instances where a shark attack has occurred, people usually live to tell the tale. Sharks are shy, but inquisitive by nature and will come up to inspect strange objects, but rarely attack. Scientific studies have proven that increases in shark attacks correlate with population growth and more people surfing or swimming in the oceans.

Shark facts:

• 18 shark species can be seen off the South African coast
• More people in South Africa are hit by lightning each year than are bitten by Great White Sharks
• Sharks will attack in only about 1% of encounters with people, usually only if there is blood in the water
• The main diet of sharks is pelagic fish and seals
• Sharks are attracted to the warmer waters of the South African winter
• South Africa was the first country in the world to protect the Great White Shark
• The most dangerous shark is probably the Bull/Zambezi shark
• Most sharks in South Africa can be seen off the coast of Gansbaai in the Western Cape and in the east of the country in KwaZulu-Natal