There is a place in False Bay, conveniently positioned in the protection of the rocky coastline, called Pyramid Rock. Here a pointed rock protrudes through the thick kelp to the surface. This is a great place to dive with sevengill sharks as they cruise through the kelp forest.

It is not uncommon to have 10 or more sevengills around us, so unperturbed by our presence that they often bump into us. It is always fun to watch a relatively large shark swim through the kelp. Sevengills are rather prehistoric in appearance with their distinctive seven gills, the only fish with that number of gill slits.

While they appear very docile, sevengill sharks have been known to attack spearfishermen and sometimes feed on seals so they should, as with all sharks, be treated with respect.

Sevengill Sharks Come Close to Divers

The Distinctive Seven Gill Slits

A Sevengill Shark Cruises Overhead

A Sevengill Shark in the Kelp Forest

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