Perhaps there is some innate drive towards danger or deadly situations that all humans possess (some obviously more than others). Maybe there is a need to experience the hormonal rush that only occurs during times of fear or stress. It is also quite possible that some people (myself included) are easily bored with everyday life and are forced to get more and more creative with the things we do to entertain ourselves.

Or maybe it’s just me;  Perhaps I have a sick and twisted sense of humor and enjoy scaring my mother. Either way, here’s the next best adrenaline rush you haven’t been seeking, courtesy of Island View Hawaii: 

Cageless Shark Snorkeling

Check out the scar on this bad-boy.

You’ve probably heard of it. You may (or may not) have thought about it. But have you done it?

It’s time to check this off your bucket list.  This experience will guarantee a spot on the Grade-A-Bada$$ list. (Did I just make that up? Probably.)

You’ll be snorkeling with large man-eating sharks.  They will be large, ranging from 6-16 feet. The breeds of sharks you might encounter will probably be considered aggressive Think Tiger Sharks or Hammerheads).  I also encountered a baracuda, as well as other types of less-aggressive shark breeds, including Galapagos, Sand Bar, and Reef Sharks. 

Enough Joking: A real review

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This tour is the only one I think was worth every dollar that was spent. Not only did I feel empowered to be with such large animals, but I felt like swimming so close to them humanized these beings. I was quite frightened at first, but the feeling of fear gave way to a general fascination with the animals. The tour guide described them as “swimming dogs”. While I won’t go as far as describing them as the neighbor’s Fido, I will say that I am certainly not as terrified of them as I was before.

The sharks seemed minutely interested in the group that had entered their territory, but only so far as to figure out what we were. I would gander that our group encountered around a dozen sharks of different species. Snorkeling alongside them requires viewing them with a different type of respect than most humans tend to lend sharks. A lot of people are afraid (thanks, “Jaws”), but I don’t believe that fear is the correct emotion to show a shark. Respect is. Respect for their habitat, and respect for their intelligence.

The only warnings I would like to share about cage-less snorkeling with sharks is the danger when exiting the boats. Sharks get a bit territorial around the edge of the boats, and any time you are near (i.e. entering or exiting the craft) is practically the only time you might be mistaken for a tasty snack. So please be careful. Minimize splashing. Respect the water, and the sharks that live in it.

Photos and video courtesy of Amanda Kocks: Please view her instagram account at @amandakocks

How to:

The company I toured with:

Island View Hawaii (Oahu)

Others:

One Ocean Diving (Oahu)

Banzai Divers (Oahu)

Hawaii Shark Encounters