Summer in the Cape: beware the tides and sharks Posted on 3 January 2019 Tags:Beaches, Cape Town, shark app, sharks, summer, Swimming Cape Town boasts many pristine beaches with bracing waters that are perfect for beating the heat during the sweltering summer months. Splashing around in the waves is a lot of fun, but we cannot forget that we share our ocean with an apex predator: the great white shark. While sharks do not have a taste for humans, it is best to educate yourself and take precautionary measures when you plan on going for a dip. View this post on Instagram The surf was so good even the sharkies came to visit 🦈 #surf #muizenberg #sharkspotters #capetown #ocean #sea #boyesdrive A post shared by @ tamlombard on Jan 21, 2018 at 2:48am PST While Durban is definitely no stranger to sharks, the cooler western waters of Gansbaai and False Bay are known to have the highest population of great white sharks in the world. Other types of sharks that can be found in Cape waters are bronze whalers and sevengill cow sharks. View this post on Instagram Watchers #sharkspotters #koelbaai #kogelbaai #surf #ocean #coast #scenic #views #surf #mountain #capetown #southafrica #yeaweoutthere #igers A post shared by pinkydrew (@pinkydrew) on Oct 26, 2018 at 1:59am PDT The Shark Spotters organisation has members on duty at eight beaches in Cape Town: Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, St James, Glencairn, Clovelly, Noordhoek, Koggel Bay, and Monwabisi. Shark spotters work in teams of two, one as the lookout and one as the patroller. The lookout is positioned on a mountain overlooking the beach the team is stationed at. This provides a good view over the sea where he or she can spot any sharks nearby or approaching the shore (although not all of Cape Town’s beaches have an area that is both close and elevated enough from which spotters can adequately watch the waters). The patroller keeps an eye out from a position on the beach and rings a siren if a shark is spotted, whereupon swimmers must exit the water. A white flag is then raised signalling that a shark has been seen. View this post on Instagram 🦈Be shark smart! That’s one of the first things they teach you when surfing in Capetown. 🏳️The white flag up and a siren signal tell you: the shark spotters spottet a big fish. Get out of the water ASAP! Then just wait for the flag to change to red (shark is gone yet could come back) or black (you’re good to go). 🤙🏼You could be annoyed by the shark alarm but you could also see it as a friendly reminder. 🌊We’re sharing the ocean, this planet with a bunch of other living beings. So let’s behave responsibly. 🌍 You wouldn’t want someone to litter your living room either, right? 😉 A post shared by Laura Konieczny (@zerowasteyourlife) on Mar 21, 2018 at 4:16am PDT Thirty Shark Spotters work from dawn until dusk every single day across the demarcated beaches. Of these, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg have the highest shark activity levels throughout the year. Sometimes spotting conditions can be difficult, depending on weather conditions and water clarity, but the Spotters work tirelessly to ensure water-goers are safe. View this post on Instagram We love our @sharkspotters – thanks for the awesome work! #surfpix #sharkspotters #sharkspottersct #discoverfalsebay #capetown #safesurfing #safeswimming #beachviews #surferscornermuizenberg #warmwater A post shared by SurfPix (@surfpix_ct) on Dec 14, 2017 at 7:13am PST If you are planning a trip to any of these beaches, download the Shark Spotters app and check the status on shark sightings, the flag status, as well as other useful information. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the various shark flags so that you are prepared should the flag status change while you are on the beach. Learn the flags this festive season to make sure you stay safe at the beach! @SharkSpotters @NSRI @LifesavingWP1 and @CityofCT are working together over the school holidays to reduce injuries, drownings and shark interactions at Cape Town’s beaches. Do your part and #BeFlagSmart! pic.twitter.com/cF9COHsGD0 — Shark Spotters (@SharkSpotters) December 17, 2018 Image source: Pixabay Related Posts 7 countries that celebrate Easter differently to South Africa 2 April 2023 Here's how some nations are observing the Easter holiday in colourful, epic and sometimes head-scratchingly... read more 5 amazing picnic places around Pretoria 26 September 2022 Pretoria and its surrounds have no lack of beautiful parks, fields and reserves where you... read more 20 things to do on rainy days in Cape Town 18 August 2022 There's plenty to do on rainy days in Cape Town and all of these activities... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
7 countries that celebrate Easter differently to South Africa 2 April 2023 Here's how some nations are observing the Easter holiday in colourful, epic and sometimes head-scratchingly... read more
5 amazing picnic places around Pretoria 26 September 2022 Pretoria and its surrounds have no lack of beautiful parks, fields and reserves where you... read more
20 things to do on rainy days in Cape Town 18 August 2022 There's plenty to do on rainy days in Cape Town and all of these activities... read more