EXPLORE YOUR LIMITS
SHARK DIVES
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Shark cage diving is one of the best ways to experience one of the ocean’s most majestic, and feared, predators up close.
It is one of the most popular activities among visitors to Cape Town. There are few things more exhilarating than looking ‘the man in the grey suit’ in the eye, while appreciating the sheer beauty of these magnificent creatures.
Where to go
With the densest populations of great white sharks in the world, Dyer Island in Gansbaai is arguably one of the best places in the world to get up close with these majestic beasts. Known as ‘Shark Alley’, it has been the subject of numerous documentaries, including National Geographic, and makes it the most popular spot for cage diving and breaching. It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but totally worth it.
False Bay is also great place for viewing great white sharks, especially around Seal Island just off the coast of Simon’s Town, with the large colony of Cape Fur Seals making it a favourite hunting ground for the great white. If you have limited time in the city, this is the place to go, as it’s just around the corner from the Cape Town city centre.
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What to see
Sharks, sharks and more sharks! Get to experience the majestic great white shark up close during a cage dive or watch in awe as these powerful creatures propel themselves into the air while on the hunt for seals.
If you’re in Gansbaai, stop by Hermanus on the way back, and wander through the streets of South Africa’s whale spotting capital. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot another one of the ocean’s most celebrated creatures?
If your tour is in False Bay, explore the historic naval village of Simon’s Town or stroll along the streets of Kalk Bay just down the road, or take a mini tour of the peninsula with Boulders Beach and Cape Point a short drive away.
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When to go
While cage diving can be experienced year round, breaching expeditions only take place during the winter months, from June to September.
CYCLING IN THE DOLOMITES
Made famous by the Giro d’Italia, the Italian Dolomites are some of the most notorious, dramatic and transcendent peaks in all of Europe. They are a rite of passage for every avid cyclist.
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​Great experience! It could not have been any better. Well, my legs could have been better lol
The Stelvio, the Gavia, and the Mortirolo are just a few of the famed climbs that make cyclists flock to the region. Our newly designed route includes the infamous Monte Zoncolan and Monte Crostis! The Zoncolan, along with the Angliru in Spain, is widely considered the most difficult climb of the Grand Tours. The climb starts under a banner that reads “Welcome to the Gates of Hell.” We’ve also added the Monte Crostis, a climb that was removed from the Giro because it was considered too brutal. The Giro had nets set up along the edge of the descent to catch riders, but don’t worry, we’re not going down that way!
Beyond the celebrated cycling culture, enjoy the breathtaking landscape, majestic mountains, charming Alpine villages, and that renowned Italian food and wine. The Dolomites do not disappoint. We’ve designed one of the hardest routes across the region, and you’ll thank us for it.
SURFING JEFFREYS BAY:
The longest, most perfect righthand pointbreak on the planet, consists of no less than 10 different sections including Kitchen Windows, Magnatubes, Boneyards, Supertubes, Impossibles, Salad Bowls, Coins, Tubes, The Point and finally Albatross. Fingers of basalt hold the sand uniformly, creating the perfect bathymetry for 1km long rides between Boneyards and The Point when the swell is just the right size and perfectly lined up. Supertubes is the stellar section, where the pro competitions are held and the crew are most combative, while Point and Albatross are slower, more manageable walls for intermediates and longboarders. Maintaining high speed and a high line is critical for threading the multiple tube sections and cutting back is rarely a good idea. SW-W is offshore for most of the sections, while NW-NE Berg (or Devil) winds descend from the mountains, blowing into the barrels and creating a nasty chop that is hard to handle on a wave where speed is king.
Currents can be unrelenting and sweep you down the point in a trice. Walking back up the point is de rigeur but then you must find the keyhole through the sharp, mussel-coated boulders that are know locally as bricks. Booties and a strong board will help avoid damage and stave off the effects of upwelling fed cold water in the 15-19ºC (59-66ºF) bracket, further depressed by a lively windchill factor despite being in a subtropical convergence zone where the warm Aghulas meets the cold South Atlantic.
DEEP SEA FISHING IN MOZAMBIQUE
Deep-sea fishing expeditions along the Mozambican coastline are exceptional with the Bazaruto Archipelago, Inhaca, Nacala, Pemba, Ponto do Ouro, the Quirimbas Islands and Xai Xai considered among the highspots. The Bazaruto Archipelago is, in fact, recognised as one of the best destinations in the world for black marlin.
The best months for black marlin are between October and the end of January which makes an excellent time for fishing in Mozambique. Blue and striped marlin are found from September to January, while the main sailfish season runs from the beginning of June until the end of September. From December to February anglers may see one of the archipelago's most interesting creatures. This is the rare whale shark, the largest shark and the largest fish in the world, which can reach lengths of up to 14m and weigh up to 15 tons.Fly-fishing in Mozambique, for queenfish, ladyfish, bonefish, pompano and several species of kingfish, in the narrow channels between Bazaruto and Benguerra, is unsurpassed with the best season being from March to July. Rock and surf fish include kingfish, couta, king mackerel, springer, and big garfish. Other catches include, barracuda, bludger, dorado, green jobfish, kawakawa, prodigal son, rainbow runner, skipjack and yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
A variety of other shark species also occur offshore including blackspot, blacktip, bull, dusky, silvertip, tiger and Zambezi. Lodges in Mozambique are happy to welcome, and teach, novices while tackle and equipment is normally available to hire. Boats are fully equipped with navigational and fish finding aids in addition to all the usual safety equipment. A tag and release policy is widely encouraged.
SKI THE DOLOMITES
(Dolomiti) Italy
The Dolomites ski region provides one of the largest and most delicious ski networks in the world. Named after the limestone rock that is found naturally in these spectacular mountains, the Dolomites offer a unique ski holiday experience. The Dolomiti Superski offers 12 bellissima ski areas connected by 450 ski lifts all under the one lift pass.
The Dolomiti Superski area takes great delight in offering a true Italian foodie experience, as you combine an impressive high alpine environment, beautiful rifugios, history and great skiing with tasty local al dente pasta washed down with your choice of local vino, espresso or café latte. It’s la dolce vita (the sweet life) in the Dolomites!
Dolomites Ski and Snowboard Terrain
The Italian Dolomites have numerous ski resorts, but it is the 12 Dolomiti Superski resorts that attract most of the attention. The Dolomiti Superski offers more than 1,200km of “guaranteed” pistes ranging between 950m and 3,269m in elevation and up to 12km long. The terrain includes high alpine glaciers on the Marmolada; kilometres of perfect piste trails especially good for families, beginners and intermediates; masses of interesting fun-slopes and terrain parks; plus, when the snow is deep, excellent off piste bowl, chute and tree skiing.
The best way to experience this skiing area is with the “Dolomiti Superski” Pass which accesses all the ski slopes, snow parks and lifts that are spread across the Dolomites Superski network.
The Dolomiti doesn’t receive as much fresh powder as Austria or Switzerland, but there are over 4700 snow making machines covering an eye-watering 1160km (97%) of piste runs across the resorts. And what it doesn’t have in the snow stakes it makes up for with beauty. It is so beautiful that it has recently been classified as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
The 12 main ski resorts across the Dolomites ski region are: the exclusive Cortina d’Ampezzo; impressive Kronplatz; the fine food and terrain of Alta Badia; the very popular Val Gardena; Val di Fassa; the area's highest ski resort Arabba Marmolada; 3 Peaks Dolomites (Drei Zinnen a.k.a Sesto); Valle di Fiemme - Obereggen; San Martino di Castrozza - Passo Rolle; the Eisacktal (Valle Isarco) resorts of Plose and Gitschberg-Jochtal; Alpe Lusia - San Pelegrino; and beautiful Civetta.