- Where to find: South Africa, Cape Town, Falls Bay
Falls Bay is located in the extreme south-west of the African continent, between two mountain ranges, stretching to cape Point Point and Heng Clip. The famous Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 described this bay as a "bay between the mountains". The highest mountain, Peak do Toights (height of 1995 m) is visible from any point of the bay.
History
Its name is False Bay (English "False Bay" - "wrong bay") was received for a reason. At a time when commercial flotillas were just beginning to explore the way around Africa, sailors very often took the waters of the Falls Bay for the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. And when they understood the difference, it was already too late - the ships were stranded or broke down on the shore. According to legend, in 1488 the famous Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias described this bay as a "bay between the mountains".
Falls Bay today
The construction of the banks of the bay in those places where the relief allowed, began as far back as the 17th century, but until now most of the coastline remains wild and untouched. Today, on the shores of the Falls Bay, there are several small towns with a relaxed resort setting: Pringle Bay, Simon, Muizenberg.
The business card of the Falls Bay is diving with white and tiger sharks. This is the only place in the world where large, up to 3.5 m long, sharks in the pursuit of prey completely jump out of the water. The maneuver of "flying jaws" makes an indelible impression! Most sharks live near the island of Seal (Tyuleny Island), located 25 minutes by boat from the mainland and no more than an hour from Cape Town . The most common way to observe sharks is to walk on a boat, followed by a rope with bait. You can get acquainted with predators in their native environment, immersed in a special cage, which has been lowered from the boat. Typically, these cells are provided with a circular slot for the lenses of the photo and video cameras. In fact, this entertainment is absolutely safe, the main thing - do not put your hands out.
Sharks are most active from June to mid-August, although diving with them is possible from April to the end of September. In September and October whales and killer whales often come to the waters of the bay, observation of which is equally enjoyable.
Those who decide to relax on the beach or surf, do not be afraid of the sudden appearance of sharks - on every beach there is an employee who watches the water from the hill and gives an alarm if in the dangerous vicinity of the beach there are characteristic triangular fins.
For fans of less extreme entertainment will be interesting walks on the yacht, visiting the colony of African penguins on the beach of Balders and the remains of a naval military base, arranged in the area of the city of Simon during the Second World War.
How to get there?
In any of the cities on the coast of the Gulf Falls can be reached by bus or train from Cape Town . One of the best options will be to hire a car - and then from your attention will not escape any attraction of this area. A huge tourist interest in the Gulf and its sharks contributed to the fact that in all nearby cities there was a mass of diving centers where you can easily book walks and equipment.
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